When working with large Python projects that have a nested structure, it’s common for certain sub-projects or directories to serve as the main source for imports. By default, Visual Studio Code (VSCode) may not automatically recognize the root directory of your Python project, leading to issues with code navigation, IntelliSense, and import resolution.

For example, if you’re working with a project where the main source of Python files is located in a sub-directory (such as server), you may encounter problems like:

  • Red underlines on imports that aren’t recognized (e.g., from entities.user import User)
  • Issues with “Go to Definition” not working properly
  • Problems with features like “Find References” and “IntelliSense”

To fix these issues, you’ll need to tell VSCode’s Python extension where the root directory of your Python project is. Let’s go through the steps to set the root directory correctly in VSCode, including how to do this using a .env file.

Example Scenario
Assume you have the following project structure:

Whole Project Path:

  • docs
  • server
  • entities
    • user.py
    • customer.py
  • env
  • viewer
  • db

In this case, the server directory is the root for your Python imports. You’re trying to import from entities.user using:

from entities.user import User
However, VSCode might not recognize the server directory as the root, leading to the issues mentioned above.

Solution: Configuring the Root Directory in VSCode

Method 1: Set the Python Path in settings.json

1. Open Your Project Folder in VSCode:
First, make sure you open the whole project folder in VSCode. If you open a sub-folder (like server), VSCode will treat that as the root directory.

2. Create or Modify .vscode/settings.json:
Inside your project folder (the one opened in VSCode), navigate to the .vscode folder. If this folder doesn’t exist, create it. Inside the .vscode folder, create or open the settings.json file.

3. Configure the Python Path:
Set the Python interpreter to point to the correct virtual environment or global Python interpreter. This is essential for VSCode to manage your environment correctly.
{
"python.pythonPath": "C:\\path\\to\\your\\venv\\Scripts\\python.exe"
}

For macOS/Linux:
{
"python.pythonPath": "/path/to/your/virtualenv/bin/python"
}

4. Configure the Root Directory for Imports:
Now, to resolve the import issues, you need to tell VSCode where to find the server directory. You can do this by adding the python.autoComplete.extraPaths setting in your settings.json. This setting tells VSCode where to look for Python modules for imports.

{
 "python.pythonPath": "C:\\path\\to\\your\\venv\\Scripts\\python.exe",
 "python.autoComplete.extraPaths": [
   "./server"  // Add the server directory to the Python path
 ]
}

This will ensure that when you try to import from entities.user, VSCode recognizes it correctly, and features like IntelliSense, Go to Definition, and Find References will work as expected.

Method 2: Set Python Path Using VSCode Workspace Settings

If you are working with a multi-folder workspace in VSCode (e.g., a workspace that includes docs, server, viewer, etc.), you can set the root directory for each folder in your workspace.

1. Open the Folder in VSCode:
Open the main project folder (server in this case) in VSCode. This ensures that the workspace is aware of the directory structure.

2. Configure the Python Path and Import Root:
In your workspace settings (.vscode/settings.json), add the python.autoComplete.extraPaths to include the server directory:

{
 "python.pythonPath": "C:\\path\\to\\your\\virtualenv\\Scripts\\python.exe",
 "python.autoComplete.extraPaths": [
   "${workspaceFolder}/server"
 ]
}

Method 3: Set Python Path Using a .env File

Another approach to configuring your Python root directory is by using an environment variable, set through a .env file in your project. This method is often useful if you want to avoid modifying the settings.json file manually.

1. Create a .env File:
In the root of your project folder, create a .env file. This file allows you to set environment variables that VSCode will use during the development process.

2. Add the Python Path and Extra Paths:
In the .env file, set the PYTHONPATH variable to include your project’s root directory (server in this case):

PYTHONPATH=./server

3. Configure VSCode to Use .env File:
In your .vscode/settings.json, ensure that the Python extension is configured to use this .env file. Add the following configuration:
{
"python.envFile": "${workspaceFolder}/.env"
}

This ensures that every time you open the project, VSCode will read the .env file and adjust the PYTHONPATH accordingly, making your server directory recognized as the root for imports.

Method 4: Configure for Remote Development (If Applicable)

If you are using a remote environment (such as a Docker container, SSH, or WSL), you can follow the same steps. The settings.json file can be configured to ensure that the root directory and the Python interpreter are correctly recognized in your remote workspace.

{
 "python.pythonPath": "/remote/path/to/virtualenv/bin/python",
 "python.autoComplete.extraPaths": [
   "/remote/path/to/project/server"
 ]
}

Support On Demand!

Python

Related Q&A