Running Python file in Conda environment opens flash window with transient output, unlike base environment #782
Description
Type: Bug
Behaviour
When running a Python file in a Conda environment created via conda create, the execution command is split into two steps:
> activate.bat py312> conda run --live-stream --name py312 python {python_file_path}
This causes the output to appear in what seems like a separate, transient terminal window (or subprocess) that flashes and closes quickly. As a result:
- Standard output flashes and disappears.
- Cannot scroll through output using the mouse wheel.
- Poor user experience compared to running in the base/global environment.
In contrast, when using the global (base) Python environment instead of conda, the command is simply:
> python.exe {python_file_path}
and the output is displayed properly within the integrated VS Code terminal, allowing full interaction (scrolling, viewing, etc.).
Expected behavior: Output should be shown directly in the VS Code integrated terminal for all environments, without spawning transient external windows.
Steps to reproduce:
- Create a new conda environment:
conda create -n py312 python=3.12 - Activate the environment in VS Code (via Command Palette → "Python: Select Interpreter" and choose the interpreter from
py312) - Open a simple Python file (e.g., one with
print("Hello")) - Run the file using the "Run Python File" button (
▶️ ) in the top-right corner or via right-click → "Run Python File in Terminal" - Observe that the output flashes briefly and cannot be scrolled, while the terminal shows the two-step activation and conda run command
- Switch to the base environment's interpreter and repeat step 4 — observe that output now persists and is scrollable
--
Extension version: 2025.10.0
VS Code version: Code 1.102.3 (488a1f239235055e34e673291fb8d8c810886f81, 2025-07-29T03:00:23.339Z)
OS version: Windows_NT x64 10.0.19045
Modes:
- Python version (& distribution if applicable, e.g. Anaconda): 3.12.9
- Type of virtual environment used (e.g. conda, venv, virtualenv, etc.): Conda
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| CPUs | 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13400 (16 x 2496) |
| GPU Status | 2d_canvas: enabled canvas_oop_rasterization: enabled_on direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok gpu_compositing: enabled multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on opengl: enabled_on rasterization: enabled raw_draw: disabled_off_ok skia_graphite: disabled_off video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled vulkan: disabled_off webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off |
| Load (avg) | undefined |
| Memory (System) | 15.62GB (6.08GB free) |
| Process Argv | --crash-reporter-id 9a7680a8-1840-427c-9b3f-816755953f06 |
| Screen Reader | no |
| VM | 50% |
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