Python button is not visible, extension commands are not available in command palette

[semirenko]

As subject says, after extension was installed, no Python icon appeared in Activity Bar (also not among hiddens).
Also none of extension commands are available in command palette.

In logs it says that poetry was not found, but it is installed and available:

(.venv) (base) ➜ ~ which poetry
/opt/homebrew/bin/poetry
(.venv) (base) ➜ ~ poetry --version
Poetry (version 2.1.3)
(.venv) (base) ➜ ~ poetry python list
Version Implementation Manager Path
3.13.5 CPython System /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.13
3.13.5 CPython System /opt/homebrew/bin/python3
3.12.11 CPython System /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12
3.12.2 CPython System /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/python3.12
3.12.2 CPython System /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/python3.1
3.12.2 CPython System /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/python3
3.12.2 CPython System /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/python
3.11.9 CPython System /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.11
3.10.17 CPython System /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.10
3.9.6 CPython System /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/python3
(.venv) (base) ➜ ~

here are the logs of "Python Environments":

2025-07-01 12:57:11.187 [info] Starting Python Locator /Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/python-env-tools/bin/pet server
2025-07-01 12:57:11.187 [info] Using conda from persistent state: /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/conda
2025-07-01 12:57:11.187 [info] Using poetry from persistent state: /opt/homebrew/bin/poetry
2025-07-01 12:57:11.187 [info] The shell command is not available by default in Poetry versions 2.0.0 and above. Therefore all shell activation will be handled by calling source <path-to-activate>. If you face any problems with shell activation, please file an issue at https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python-environments/issues to help us improve this implementation.
2025-07-01 12:57:11.187 [info] Conda not found, turning off conda features. Error: Something went wrong with feature registration
at t.getCallingExtension (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:277651)
at h (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:326854)
at t.PythonEnvironmentManagers.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:327774)
at p.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:345395)
at t.registerCondaFeatures (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:520258)
at async Promise.all (index 1)
2025-07-01 12:57:11.263 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3
2025-07-01 12:57:11.270 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.10
2025-07-01 12:57:11.278 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.11
2025-07-01 12:57:11.282 [info] Discovered manager: (Poetry) /opt/homebrew/bin/poetry
2025-07-01 12:57:11.284 [info] Discovered env: /usr/bin/python3
2025-07-01 12:57:11.284 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12
2025-07-01 12:57:11.289 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.10
2025-07-01 12:57:11.292 [info] Discovered env: /Users/semirenko/code/pixoo64/.venv/bin/python
2025-07-01 12:57:11.296 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.11
2025-07-01 12:57:11.296 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Discovered manager: (Conda) /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/conda
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/python
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator Conda took 49.294583ms
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator Homebrew took 35.571292ms
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator MacCommandLineTools took 35.144791ms
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator MacPythonOrg took 257.708µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator MacXCode took 7.833µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator PipEnv took 5.75µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator Pixi took 35.125µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.298 [info] Locator Poetry took 33.172333ms
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator PyEnv took 171.542µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator Venv took 15.542µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator VirtualEnv took 6.208µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator VirtualEnvWrapper took 6.958µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator GlobalVirtualEnvs took 80.083µs
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator Locators took 49.416583ms
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator Path took 49.435708ms
2025-07-01 12:57:11.299 [info] Locator Workspaces took 45.765166ms
2025-07-01 12:57:11.300 [info] Telemetry: {"event":"RefreshPerformance","data":{"refreshPerformance":{"total":49,"breakdown":{"GlobalVirtualEnvs":0,"Locators":49,"Path":49,"Workspaces":45},"locators":{"Conda":49,"Homebrew":35,"MacCommandLineTools":35,"MacPythonOrg":0,"MacXCode":0,"PipEnv":0,"Pixi":0,"Poetry":33,"PyEnv":0,"Venv":0,"VirtualEnv":0,"VirtualEnvWrapper":0}}}}
2025-07-01 12:57:11.960 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3
2025-07-01 12:57:11.960 [info] Pyenv not found, turning off pyenv features.
2025-07-01 12:57:17.153 [info] Poetry version output: Poetry (version 2.1.3)
2025-07-01 12:57:17.154 [info] Poetry found at /opt/homebrew/bin/poetry, version: 2.1.3
2025-07-01 12:57:17.154 [info] Poetry not found, turning off poetry features. Error: Something went wrong with feature registration
at t.getCallingExtension (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:277651)
at h (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:326854)
at t.PythonEnvironmentManagers.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:327774)
at p.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:345395)
at t.registerPoetryFeatures (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11811614-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:521223)
at processTicksAndRejections (node:internal/process/task_queues:105:5)
at async Promise.all (index 3)

[jmorez]

Is there a temporary workaround?

[eleanorjboyd]

Hi! So sorry this happened! We are rolling out the environments extension to everyone now which is exciting but required some extra configuring. This includes an experiment where we opt some people in and some people out to measure the impact and ensure the rollout is going successfully. We added a setting, which is overridable by the user to opt in even if you are in the opt out part of the experiment. We attempted to ensure those who have been using the extension got it by adding this setting override to people's user settings last week but it must have no worked for you for whatever reason. The fix is just to add "python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true to your user settings and it should return so give that a try and let me know. You can read all about the experiment and rollout here for additional questions you might have: #581

TLDR: The extension disappeared likely because we are starting an experiment to roll out this extension to more users and although we attempted to ensure existing users were unaffected, we could not do so with 100% accuracy. The fix to get back the icon and "enable" the extension is to add "python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true to your user settings.

[eleanorjboyd]

One question as Im reviewing this is if you saw anything like the following snippet in your logs. I had added them to try and help users in this scenario but it seems they did not show for you?

traceWarn(
            'The Python environments extension has been disabled via a setting. If you would like to opt into using the extension, please add the following to your user settings (note that updating this setting requires a window reload afterwards):\n\n"python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true',
        );

[semirenko]

Hi,
No, I didn't see this message. Checked different outputs..

VS code only proposed to install this after the extension installation was not fully completed with error, mentioned above.

After adding the flag to user settings the button appeared. But extension still does not work.

Attempt to create virtual env (it already exists in my project, in .venv folder) didn't help.
Terminal with activated environmet also not possible to launch. It just does not appear.

On any of these actions Output shows only:
2025-07-01 18:44:57.227 [error] No environment managers registered

Here are my extension settings:

[eleanorjboyd]

hm do you have the python extension installed? What is the version for that? You might need to update or at least switch to pre-release version of the extension. It is weird if you do have it if it is showing the message about "do you want to install....". Can you also send your logs over for the python environments extension now that you have that setting and maybe those will help. Thanks

[semirenko]

yes, as you may see on my screenshots, I have python extension installed, version is 2025.8.0

I upgraded now to pre-release version as well. But didn't help. Vscode still suggests to install Python extension.
Tried with different default env manager setting (venv, conda, virtualenv)... but it always shows the Python extension install notification, with different text:
Do you want to install extension ms-python.python to enable ms-python.python:virtualenv support.

Here is the extension output:

2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] Starting Python Locator /Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/python-env-tools/bin/pet server
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] Using conda from persistent state: /opt/homebrew/Caskroom/miniconda/base/bin/conda
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] Using poetry from persistent state: /opt/homebrew/bin/poetry
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] The shell command is not available by default in Poetry versions 2.0.0 and above. Therefore all shell activation will be handled by calling source <path-to-activate>. If you face any problems with shell activation, please file an issue at https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python-environments/issues to help us improve this implementation.
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] Conda not found, turning off conda features. [Error: Something went wrong with feature registration
at t.getCallingExtension (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:277651)
at h (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:326854)
at t.PythonEnvironmentManagers.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:327774)
at p.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:345395)
at t.registerCondaFeatures (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:520258)
at async Promise.all (index 1)]
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [error] Extension for manager ms-python.python:venv is not installed.
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] Poetry version output: Poetry (version 2.1.3)
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] Poetry found at /opt/homebrew/bin/poetry, version: 2.1.3
2025-07-02 00:53:35.856 [info] Poetry not found, turning off poetry features. [Error: Something went wrong with feature registration
at t.getCallingExtension (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:277651)
at h (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:326854)
at t.PythonEnvironmentManagers.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:327774)
at p.registerEnvironmentManager (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:345395)
at t.registerPoetryFeatures (/Users/semirenko/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11821012-darwin-arm64/dist/extension.js:2:521223)
at async Promise.all (index 3)]
2025-07-02 00:53:36.147 [info] Discovered env: /usr/bin/python3
2025-07-02 00:53:36.150 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3
2025-07-02 00:53:36.162 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.10
2025-07-02 00:53:36.162 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3
2025-07-02 00:53:36.173 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.11
2025-07-02 00:53:36.177 [info] Discovered env: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12
2025-07-02 00:53:36.178 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.10
2025-07-02 00:53:36.186 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.11
2025-07-02 00:53:36.198 [info] Discovered manager: (Poetry) /opt/homebrew/bin/poetry
2025-07-02 00:53:36.198 [info] Resolved /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12
2025-07-02 00:53:36.217 [info] Discovered env: /Users/semirenko/code/iute-sales-gateway/.venv/bin/python
2025-07-02 00:53:36.219 [info] Locator Conda took 15.248833ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.219 [info] Locator Homebrew took 52.268ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.219 [info] Locator MacCommandLineTools took 14.061375ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.219 [info] Locator MacPythonOrg took 3.11525ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator MacXCode took 3.117792ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator PipEnv took 5.958µs
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator Pixi took 5.584µs
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator Poetry took 61.327416ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator PyEnv took 62.041µs
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator Venv took 2.543083ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator VirtualEnv took 3.441167ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator VirtualEnvWrapper took 34.625µs
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator GlobalVirtualEnvs took 37.708µs
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator Locators took 62.804167ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator Path took 76.255167ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Locator Workspaces took 90.709459ms
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Pyenv not found, turning off pyenv features.
2025-07-02 00:53:36.220 [info] Telemetry: {"event":"RefreshPerformance","data":{"refreshPerformance":{"total":91,"breakdown":{"GlobalVirtualEnvs":0,"Locators":62,"Path":76,"Workspaces":90},"locators":{"Conda":15,"Homebrew":52,"MacCommandLineTools":14,"MacPythonOrg":3,"MacXCode":3,"PipEnv":0,"Pixi":0,"Poetry":61,"PyEnv":0,"Venv":2,"VirtualEnv":3,"VirtualEnvWrapper":0}}}}

[SK9MM777]

I encountered the same issue where the Python icon was missing from the Activity Bar, and the extension commands were unavailable in the Command Palette.

The suggested solution to add

"python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true

to the user settings worked for me. After applying this setting and restarting VS Code, the icon reappeared, and the extension started functioning as expected.

[ZamirSalazar]

"python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true

Gracias, tu consejo me funcionó perfectamente

[dot-polka]

Does not work in multiroot env, Please fix ASAP!!! Also all my env disappeared. Extremely disappointed.

[eleanorjboyd]

Hi @dot-polka could you elaborate more on what you are seeing? Did you add the setting to your user settings and you are still seeing failures? What do you mean all your envs disappeared?

[sanand33]

@eleanorjboyd @SK9MM777 Can you elaborate on where do we have to paste this :

"python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true.

if this is not the place, can you point me to the right place , can you guide how to navigate to user settings and where to paste this ?

[SK9MM777]

@sanand33

The entry “python.useEnvironmentsExtension”: true needs to be added to your settings.json file under user settings.

On Windows, the file is located here:
C:\Users\YOUR_NAME\AppData\Roaming\Code\User\settings.json

On macOS, the path is:
~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json

Even though Visual Studio Code marks this setting as invalid (with a red underline), it still works. As soon as you add the entry, the new Python icon appears in the UI. If you remove it, the icon disappears immediately. So the setting is actively used, despite being flagged as unrecognized.

You can also open the settings.json file directly by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac) and selecting “Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)”.

[xgboosted]

Hi, the suggested line worked for me, but this needs to be fixed ASAP!

"python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true

[cakeller98]

I spent a lot of time thinking I'd done something wrong. I'm new to using poetry vs venv, and the environments would sometimes show and sometimes not. I thought I had errors in my pyproject.toml or something. anyway - your fix works!! I really hope this gets added to the next update or something... I literally went through recreating my entire extension environment 3 times, including one time from the ground up. ;-) oof. BUT

I added the following to my settings and bam! done.

"python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true"

I was also getting this error - for reference - which seems like it's not happy about python extension version 25+ ??

2025-07-13 17:43:54.145 [error] TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'subscriptions')
    at Object.K [as deactivate] (c:\Users\<redacted>\.vscode-insiders\extensions\ms-python.vscode-python-envs-0.3.11841011-win32-x64\dist\extension.js:2:618005)
    at KG.eb (file:///c:/Users/<redacted>/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code%20Insiders/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:117:11726)
    at file:///c:/Users/<redacted>/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code%20Insiders/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:117:9876
    at Array.map (<anonymous>)
    at KG.$ (file:///c:/Users/<redacted>/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code%20Insiders/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:117:9864)
    at KG.terminate (file:///c:/Users/<redacted>/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code%20Insiders/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:117:10107)
    at X3.terminate (file:///c:/Users/<redacted>/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code%20Insiders/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:119:914)
    at hs (file:///c:/Users/<redacted>/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code%20Insiders/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:356:9945)
    at MessagePortMain.<anonymous> (file:///c:/Users/<redacted>/AppData/Local/Programs/Microsoft%20VS%20Code%20Insiders/resources/app/out/vs/workbench/api/node/extensionHostProcess.js:356:6484)
    at MessagePortMain.emit (node:events:518:28)
    at Object.MessagePortMain._internalPort.emit (node:electron/js2c/utility_init:2:3073)
2025-07-13 17:43:54.147 [info] Extension host with pid 45032 exiting with code 0