Although Chromebooks are primarily designed for web-based tasks, they have evolved into capable development machines thanks to Linux support. You can now write, run, and debug Python code directly on your Chromebook using powerful tools like Visual Studio Code.
Whether you’re a beginner learning Python or working on real projects, setting up a proper development environment on ChromeOS is easier than you might expect. In this guide, we will walk you through how to set up Python on your Chromebook and configure VS Code for a complete coding workflow. So, let’s get started.
How to Set Up Python with VS Code on Chromebook
Before we begin, make sure your Chromebook supports Linux apps, you have at least 10 – 15 GB of free storage, and your device is updated to the latest ChromeOS version.
Once done, follow the steps below carefully to set up your development environment.
1. Enable Linux on Your Chromebook
We are going to use the Linux development environment to install VS Code, so we need to set it up first.
1. Open Settings on your Chromebook.
2. Scroll down, click About ChromeOS and look for Developers section.
3. Click Set up to Linux development environment on your Chromebook.
4. Complete the setup process.
Once done, the Terminal app will appear in your app launcher.
2. Install Python on Chromebook
After that, you are ready to install python on a Chromebook. Here’s how:
1. Open the Terminal app.
2. Run the update command to refresh packages. Keeping Linux updated ensures compatibility with Python and VS Code.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
3. Most Linux containers already include Python, but it’s best to confirm. In the Terminal, check the Python version. By running this command:
python --version4. If Python is not installed, install it using package commands.
sudo apt-get install -y python3-pip python3-dev python3-venv build-essential libssl-dev libffi-devOnce done, verify installation by checking the version again. Ensure Python runs without errors. You now have Python ready on your Chromebook.
3. Install Visual Studio Code
Once done, you can install Visual Studio Code on your Chromebook. For that, we’re going to download the .deb file for VS Code from the official website.
1. Open the VS Code download page and download the .deb package from the official website.
2. Open the Files app and move the downloaded file to the Linux files folder.
3. After that, open the Terminal, run the command below, and wait for the installation process to complete:
sudo apt install ./filename.deb
4. Once done, launch VS Code from the app launcher.
4. Install Python Extension in VS Code
Now, you need to download and install the Python extension in Visual Studio Code.
1. Open VS Code.
2. Click the Extensions icon and search for Python.
3. Select the official Python extension from the search results and click Install.
4. Wait for the installation to complete.
This extension enables syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and debugging.
How to Run Your First Python Program
Now that you’re done with the setup, let’s look at how to run your first Python program in VS Code on a Chromebook. Follow these steps:
1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Create a new file with a .py extension.
3. Write a simple Python program, such as:
print("Hello")
4. Save the file.
5. Run the program using the Run button or the Terminal.
Check the output in the Terminal window. You now have a fully working Python setup on your Chromebook.
Wrapping Up
So, that was all about setting up a Chromebook for Python development using VS Code. With Linux support and powerful tools like VS Code, ChromeOS can now handle real coding workflows with ease. Whether you’re learning Python or building projects, this setup gives you everything you need to get started.
