Running Python code in Vim

Question

I am writing Python code using Vim, and every time I want to run my code, I type this inside Vim:

:w !python

This gets frustrating, so I was looking for a quicker method to run Python code inside Vim. Executing Python scripts from a terminal maybe? I am using Linux.

score 218 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 10 '20 at 15:00

218

How about adding an autocmd to your ~/.vimrc-file, creating a mapping:

autocmd FileType python map <buffer> <F9> :w<CR>:exec '!python3' shellescape(@%, 1)<CR>
autocmd FileType python imap <buffer> <F9> <esc>:w<CR>:exec '!python3' shellescape(@%, 1)<CR>

then you could press <F9> to execute the current buffer with python

Explanation:

autocmd: command that Vim will execute automatically on {event} (here: if you open a python file)
[i]map: creates a keyboard shortcut to <F9> in insert/normal mode
<buffer>: If multiple buffers/files are open: just use the active one
<esc>: leaving insert mode
:w<CR>: saves your file
!: runs the following command in your shell (try :!ls)
%: is replaced by the filename of your active buffer. But since it can contain things like whitespace and other "bad" stuff it is better practise not to write :python %, but use:
shellescape: escape the special characters. The 1 means with a backslash

TL;DR: The first line will work in normal mode and once you press <F9> it first saves your file and then run the file with python. The second does the same thing, but leaves insert mode first

edited Mar 10 '20 at 15:00

Michael

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answered Sep 22 '13 at 20:38

Kent

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@ArditSulce in your vimrc file, add a line: `autocmd FileType python nnoremap .... ` – Kent Sep 22 '13 at 21:04
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If you're on os x (and I assume unix) ".vimrc" is in the home directory. You can check this by typing ':version' in command mode to check for sure you'll see a line called 'user vimrc file: "..."' – ThinkBonobo Jun 27 '15 at 19:50
Is there a way to save and run the same file, instead of just running it – Bharat Aug 28 '16 at 21:33
@Bharat maybe this should work `nnoremap :exec 'w !python' shellescape(@%, 1)` – Ashok Arora Jan 12 '17 at 16:14
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`nnoremap :!python %` seems to work in Vim 7.4.1689. What's the shellescape for? – Matt Kleinsmith Apr 02 '17 at 03:50
@MatthewKleinsmith after all, your python src is a file. A file name can contain many interesting characters. – Kent Jul 13 '17 at 09:10
@Kent is it possible to yank something in vi and pass it to a python function. i think that i have seen this defined to add a column of numbers, but never managed to do it :( – Alexander Cska Dec 22 '18 at 17:40
@AlexanderCska yes, it is possible. you can read the `"` register to get the yanked text. – Kent Jan 16 '19 at 08:38
I noticed this command only works while the file is opened. Once I close the file and reopen it I can no longer press F9 to run the file. Is there any way to permanently allow F9 to run a Python script in Vim? – Chris Dec 02 '19 at 00:56
What does the `@` symbol do? I can't find an explanation for it. – brainplot Apr 28 '20 at 08:45
@Kent I tried that, no luck: `Execute the contents of register {0-9a-z".=*+} [count] times. Note that register '%' (name of the current file) and '#' (name of the alternate file) cannot be used.` Not very useful, given the fact it says `%` doesn't apply. – brainplot Apr 28 '20 at 09:02
@brainplot sorry, my bad, I didn't read it carefully. It is to get the value of a register. The doc is here: `:h expression-syntax` you may want to read `expr9`carefully. – Kent Apr 28 '20 at 09:23
@user117294 conversely, this only worked for me once I closed my .py file and reopened it (I think due to the option). Did you add the autocmd to your ~/.vimrc? – Ralph Apr 30 '20 at 02:57
An improvement would be exchanging `:w` for `:up`, because update only writes the buffer if it has changed. – SergioAraujo May 09 '20 at 18:12
Great answer, thank you. I replace `'!python3'` with `'!/usr/bin/env python3'` for the reasons [outlined here](https://stackoverflow.com/a/2429517), and would encourage others to consider doing so too – jwalton Jun 10 '20 at 12:22
Is there a good way to clear the terminal before executing the code? – Gustav Dec 15 '21 at 20:10

score 72 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 05 '18 at 13:22

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Just go to normal mode by pressing <esc> and type:

! clear; python %

Step by step explanation:

! allows you to run a terminal command

clear will empty your terminal screen

; ends the first command, allowing you to introduce a second command

python will use python to run your script (it could be replaced with ruby for example)

% concats the current filename, passing it as a parameter to the python command

answered Sep 05 '18 at 13:22

Flavio Wuensche

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OP is looking for an alternative to typing long command. How does this answer help him achieve that? – Quazi Irfan Aug 17 '21 at 21:12

czayas · Answer 3 · 2017-11-01T17:41:20.177

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I have this in my .vimrc file:

imap <F5> <Esc>:w<CR>:!clear;python %<CR>

When I'm done editing a Python script, I just press <F5>. The script is saved and then executed in a blank screen.

edited Nov 01 '17 at 17:41

answered Jul 30 '14 at 13:55

czayas

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Thank you! It works pretty well. I wonder how can I set the shortcut to `m` key plus `,` key instead of `F5` key? – Jay Wang Mar 25 '16 at 01:30
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Should be noted that this executes in `Insert` mode. For execution in `Normal` mode use `nmap` instead of `imap`. – Marcin Mar 30 '20 at 04:47
Is it important not have space before and after `:w`? – Quazi Irfan Aug 22 '21 at 03:26

score 16 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 27 '18 at 02:21

Building on the previous answers, if you like to see the code while looking at its' output you could find :ter (:terminal) command useful.

autocmd Filetype python nnoremap <buffer> <F5> :w<CR>:ter python2 "%"<CR>
autocmd Filetype python nnoremap <buffer> <F6> :w<CR>:vert ter python3 "%"<CR>

Using vert in the second line runs the code in vertical split instead of horizontal.

The negative of it is that if you don't close the split-window where the code ran you will have many splits after multiple runs (which doesn't happen in original python IDLE where the same output window is reused).

(I keep these lines inside /home/user/.vimrc)

Beginner follow up question: How do you return to the file you were editing after using this command? — Krish, Feb 08 '21 at 10:53
Ctrl+w, then direction key (e.g. h,j,k,l). Or ":q" to close the output. — michalmonday, Feb 12 '21 at 16:55

score 9 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 03 '20 at 04:15

Plugin: jupyter-vim

So you can send lines (<leader>E), visual selection (<leader>e) to a running jupyter-client (the replacement of ipython)

I prefer to separate editor and interpreter (each one in its shell). Imagine you send a bad input reading command ...

score 8 · Answer 6 · answered Sep 22 '13 at 21:09

Keep in mind that you're able to repeat the last used command with @:, so that's all you'd need to repeat are those two character.

Or you could save the string w !python into one of the registers (like "a for example) and then hit :<C-R>a<CR> to insert the contents of register a into the commandline and run it.

Or you can do what I do and map <leader>z to :!python %<CR> to run the current file.

score 5 · Answer 7 · answered May 17 '16 at 20:29

If you don't want to see ":exec python file.py" printed each time, use this:

nnoremap <F9> :echo system('python2 "' . expand('%') . '"')<cr>
nnoremap <F10> :echo system('python3 "' . expand('%') . '"')<cr>

It didn't mess up my powerline / vim-airline statusbar either.

Alex Kosh · Answer 8 · 2020-01-03T22:53:44.247

Think about using shebang line, so you will be able to use it with still any language, not only Python.

Adding shebang:

Add this to first line of your script:

#!/usr/bin/env python3

or this, if you are using Python 2:

#!/usr/bin/env python2

Vim keymap:

Add this to your ~/.vimrc:

nmap <F7> :w<cr>:!clear;"%:p"<cr>

Make file executable:

Type in Vim:

:!chmod +x %

or in terminal:

chmod +x script_name.py

Explanation:

When F7 is pressed in normal mode, Vim will try to execute current file as bash script. Then bash interpreter will see shebang line and understand, that this file should be passed to Python (or any other programm if needed).

Also you will be able to run your script from terminal using it's name:

./script_name.py

instead of this way (that will work too):

python3 script_name.py

I was thinking for a way to extend FucusedWolf answer to use the same time for both python2 and 3 versions, since I had to. Then yet again, this in combine with that would do. Thank you. — sajed zarrinpour, Dec 09 '20 at 12:23

score 3 · Answer 9 · answered Jan 28 '15 at 14:13

For generic use (run python/haskell/ruby/C++... from vim based on the filetype), there's a nice plugin called vim-quickrun. It supports many programming languages by default. It is easily configurable, too, so one can define preferred behaviours for any filetype if needed. The github repo does not have a fancy readme, but it is well documented with the doc file.

derwin · Answer 10 · 2015-12-08T13:45:02.413

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I have this on my .vimrc:

"map <F9> :w<CR>:!python %<CR>"

which saves the current buffer and execute the code with presing only Esc + F9

edited Dec 08 '15 at 13:45

answered Dec 08 '15 at 13:39

derwin

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score 3 · Answer 11 · answered Aug 08 '19 at 17:30

The accepted answer works for me (on Linux), but I wanted this command to also save the buffer before running, so I modified it slightly:

nnoremap <buffer> <F9> :w <bar> :exec '!python' shellescape(@%, 1)<cr>

The :w <bar> saves the buffer THEN runs the code in it.

score 3 · Answer 12 · answered Oct 18 '20 at 09:53

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I use

:! [filename.py]; python %

That's what works for me

answered Oct 18 '20 at 09:53

score 2 · Answer 13 · answered Jul 07 '19 at 16:54

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You can use skywind3000/asyncrun.vim as well. It is similar to what @FocusedWolf has listed.

answered Jul 07 '19 at 16:54

Mike

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score 2 · Answer 14 · answered Dec 12 '20 at 15:16

Go to your home directory. cd
Open your .vimrc file with vim. vim .vimrc
Add the next code to the file. nmap <F4> <Esc>:w<CR>:!clear;python %<CR>
Save it and quit. ZZ

The next time you want to run your code, just press F4 in "normal mode". If you want to run your code in "insert mode", replace nmap with imap.

AKM · Answer 15 · 2022-02-17T03:17:50.407

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I use this. It automatically saves the program and runs it into the shell. Comes back to vim after the program is run.

Works by pressing <F5> in insert mode in vim. Add the following code snippet in your vimrc file.

imap <F5> <Esc>:w<CR>:!python % [filename.py]; <CR>

I have just combined the two solutions previously provided to this question and it worked for me.

Thanks!

edited Feb 17 '22 at 03:17

answered Feb 17 '22 at 02:50

AKM

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score 1 · Answer 16 · answered Feb 17 '14 at 10:11

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A simple method would be to type : while in normal mode, and then press the up arrow key on the keyboard and press Enter. This will repeat the last typed commands on VIM.

answered Feb 17 '14 at 10:11

multigoodverse

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You can do an incremental search by typing the starting characters of the command before pressing the up arrow. If many commands ago I did a ! python %, I could :! then press the up arrow, to only cycle through commands that start with ! – shmup Mar 19 '14 at 19:54

score 1 · Answer 17 · answered Mar 19 '14 at 19:56

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If you want to quickly jump back through your :w commands, a cool thing is to type :w and then press your up arrow. It will only cycle through commands that start with w.

answered Mar 19 '14 at 19:56

shmup

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score 1 · Answer 18 · edited Dec 02 '15 at 13:09

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Put your cursor in the code somewhere. Right click and choose one of the "Select" choices to highlight your code. Then press Ctrl : and you will see the new prompt '<, >'

Now type !python and see if that works.

I just spend days trying to figure out the same problem!!! I used the coding:

s='My name'
print (s)

After I pulled out all my hair, I finally got it right!

edited Dec 02 '15 at 13:09

Steen

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answered Aug 11 '14 at 21:50

Bob Cressman

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Using mouse in not a vim way – 0xc0de Aug 17 '15 at 11:47
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But it's possible to do `:% !python`. `%` just means all lines. – T.Chmelevskij May 31 '16 at 00:14

jpyams · Answer 19 · 2018-01-01T18:25:17.277

Instead of putting the command mapping in your .vimrc, put the mapping in your ~/.vim/ftplugin/python.vim file (Windows $HOME\vimfiles\ftplugin\python.vim). If you don't have this file or directories, just make them. This way the key is only mapped when you open a .py file or any file with filetype=python, since you'll only be running this command on Python scripts.

For the actual mapping, I like to be able to edit in Vim while the script runs. Going off of @cazyas' answer, I have the following in my ftplugin\python.vim (Windows):

noremap <F5> <Esc>:w<CR>:!START /B python %<CR>

This will run the current Python script in the background. For Linux just change it to this:

noremap <F5> <Esc>:w<CR>:!python % &<CR>

score 1 · Answer 20 · answered Dec 14 '19 at 03:45

You can extends for any language with 1 keybinding with augroup command, for example:

augroup rungroup
    autocmd!
    autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.go nnoremap <F5> :exec '!go run' shellescape(@%, 1)<cr>
    autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.py nnoremap <F5> :exec '!python' shellescape(@%, 1)<cr>
augroup END

score 1 · Answer 21 · answered Mar 23 '21 at 15:50

Have you tried just using:

:!python nameofyourfile.py

example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjUxEX4OssM

It could just be your syntax, or it could be that you are missing pluggin or packages others have used. Are you using just plain terminal, or something else like MobaXterm? The above code works for running a python script using terminal inside vim (the output will show up inside the vim session).

score 1 · Answer 22 · answered Oct 04 '21 at 23:15

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I recommend to use Vim-Slime plugin for "by-block" sending python code from vim to python console.

https://github.com/jpalardy/vim-slime

answered Oct 04 '21 at 23:15

ephemerr

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score 1 · Answer 23 · answered May 31 '22 at 13:31

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:!./% run the current Python script, this will work only with the Shebang

You can also run it with arguments like that:

:!./% ARG1 ARG2

answered May 31 '22 at 13:31

Moshe D

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score 0 · Answer 24 · edited Dec 02 '15 at 13:08

This .vimrc mapping needs Conque Shell, but it replicates Geany (and other X editors') behaviour:

Press a key to execute
Executes in gnome-terminal
Waits for confirmation to exit
Window closes automatically on exit

:let dummy = conque_term#subprocess('gnome-terminal -e "bash -c \"python ' . expand("%") . '; answer=\\\"z\\\"; while [ $answer != \\\"q\\\" ]; do printf \\\"\nexited with code $?, press (q) to quit: \\\"; read -n 1 answer; done; \" "')

score 0 · Answer 25 · answered Oct 19 '19 at 15:13

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" run current python file to new buffer
function! RunPython()
    let s:current_file = expand("%")
    enew|silent execute ".!python " . shellescape(s:current_file, 1)
    setlocal buftype=nofile bufhidden=wipe noswapfile nowrap
    setlocal nobuflisted
endfunction
autocmd FileType python nnoremap <Leader>c :call RunPython()<CR>

answered Oct 19 '19 at 15:13

Neo Mosaid

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This script runs the code replacing the buffer where the code is written. – raratiru Nov 19 '20 at 17:17

Running Python code in Vim

25 Answers25

Step by step explanation:

Linked

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