Virtual enviroment is not set correctly in Terminal

[gullevek]

Type: Bug

Behaviour

When a virtual enviroment is set, and also correctly selected for the python files, opening a terminal will have the virtual enviroment only half set.

There is a ".venv" listed in front of the prompt, sometimes even a "(.venv)" and the VIRTUAL_ENV is also set, but checking the path shows the wrong python

Steps to reproduce:

Have a virtual enviroment in python

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

Have this selected as the default python enterprator

Open a terminal and it will show

.venv[USER@HOST:PATH]$ echo $VIRTUAL_ENV
<CORRET PATH TO .venv folder>
.venv[USER@HOST:PATH]$ which python
<WRONG PATH TO python>
.venv[USER@HOST:PATH]$ source .venv/bin/activate
(.venv) .venv[USER@HOST:PATH]$ echo $VIRTUAL_ENV
<CORRET PATH TO .venv folder>
(.venv) .venv[USER@HOST:PATH]$ which python
<CORRECT PATH TO python>

Diagnostic data

Output for Python in the Output panel (View→Output, change the drop-down the upper-right of the Output panel to Python)

2025-06-17 10:42:25.070 [info] Experiment 'pythonRecommendTensorboardExt' is active
2025-06-17 10:42:25.070 [info] Experiment 'pythonTerminalEnvVarActivation' is active
2025-06-17 10:42:25.070 [info] Native locator: Refresh started
2025-06-17 10:42:25.417 [info] > pyenv which python
2025-06-17 10:42:25.417 [info] cwd: ~/Path/To/Project
2025-06-17 10:42:26.355 [info] Pyenv environment manager found at: /opt/homebrew/bin/pyenv
2025-06-17 10:42:26.523 [info] Python interpreter path: ./.venv/bin/python
2025-06-17 10:42:26.724 [info] > . "~/Path/To/Project/.venv/bin/activate" && echo 'e8b39361-0157-4923-80e1-22d70d46dee6' && python ~/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.8.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
2025-06-17 10:42:26.724 [info] shell: zsh
2025-06-17 10:42:26.804 [info] > /opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.13/bin/python3 ~/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.8.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariables.py
2025-06-17 10:42:26.804 [info] shell: zsh
2025-06-17 10:42:26.895 [info] Prepending environment variable PATH in collection with /Users/USER.NAME/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.8.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/deactivate/zsh:/Users/USER.NAME/Path/To/Project/.venv/bin: {"applyAtShellIntegration":true,"applyAtProcessCreation":true}
2025-06-17 10:42:26.895 [info] Setting environment variable VIRTUAL_ENV in collection to /Users/USER.NAME/Path/To/Project/.venv {"applyAtShellIntegration":true,"applyAtProcessCreation":true}
2025-06-17 10:42:26.895 [info] Setting environment variable VIRTUAL_ENV_PROMPT in collection to .venv {"applyAtShellIntegration":true,"applyAtProcessCreation":true}
2025-06-17 10:42:26.895 [info] Prepending environment variable PS1 in collection with .venv {"applyAtShellIntegration":true,"applyAtProcessCreation":false}
2025-06-17 10:42:26.895 [info] Send text to terminal: /opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.13/bin/python3 /Users/USER.NAME/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.8.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/printEnvVariablesToFile.py /Users/USER.NAME/.vscode/extensions/ms-python.python-2025.8.0-darwin-arm64/python_files/deactivate/zsh/envVars.txt
2025-06-17 10:42:26.986 [info] Native locator: Refresh finished in 2064 ms
2025-06-17 10:42:28.330 [info] Starting Pylance language server.
2025-06-17 10:42:30.338 [info] > conda info --json
2025-06-17 10:42:32.410 [info] Native locator: Refresh started
2025-06-17 10:42:32.424 [info] Pyenv environment manager found at: /opt/homebrew/bin/pyenv
2025-06-17 10:42:33.005 [info] Native locator: Refresh finished in 594 ms
2025-06-17 10:45:19.572 [info] Native locator: Refresh started
2025-06-17 10:45:19.582 [info] Pyenv environment manager found at: /opt/homebrew/bin/pyenv
2025-06-17 10:45:20.073 [info] Native locator: Refresh finished in 500 ms
2025-06-17 10:48:42.510 [info] Discover tests for workspace name: undefined - uri: /Users/USER.NAME/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json
2025-06-17 10:48:57.750 [info] Discover tests for workspace name: undefined - uri: /Users/USER.NAME/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json
2025-06-17 10:49:17.454 [info] Discover tests for workspace name: undefined - uri: /Users/USER.NAME/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json

Extension version: 2025.8.0
VS Code version: Code 1.101.0 (Universal) (dfaf44141ea9deb3b4096f7cd6d24e00c147a4b1, 2025-06-11T15:00:50.123Z)
OS version: Darwin arm64 24.5.0
Modes:
Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Connecting with SSH timed out
Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Canceled
Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Connecting with SSH timed out
Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Canceled
Connection to 'SSH: kome' could not be established Connecting with SSH timed out

• Python version (& distribution if applicable, e.g. Anaconda): 3.13.5
• Type of virtual environment used (e.g. conda, venv, virtualenv, etc.): Venv
• Value of the python.languageServer setting: Pylance

User Settings

languageServer: "Pylance"

Installed Extensions

Extension Name	Extension Id	Version
auto-close-tag	for	0.5.15
auto-complete-tag	for	0.1.0
auto-rename-tag	for	0.1.10
autodocstring	njp	0.6.1
azure-repos	ms-	0.40.0
base16-tinted-themes	Tin	0.24.0
bash-ide-vscode	mad	1.43.0
better-perl-syntax	jef	1.0.14
better-shellscript-syntax	jef	1.10.0
black-formatter	ms-	2025.2.0
Bookmarks	ale	13.5.0
boto3-ide	Bot	0.6.0
color-highlight	nau	2.8.0
cuesheet	zgm	0.4.0
dark-plus-syntax	dun	0.2.11
debugpy	ms-	2025.8.0
docker	doc	0.10.0
dotenv	mik	1.0.1
EditorConfig	Edi	0.17.4
eml	lei	0.4.0
errorlens	use	3.26.0
even-better-toml	tam	0.21.2
explorer	vit	1.24.3
flake8	ms-	2025.2.0
ginfuru-better-solarized-dark-theme	gin	0.10.9
git-graph	mhu	1.30.0
git-log--graph	phi	0.1.23
githistory	don	0.6.20
gitlens	eam	17.1.1
go	gol	0.46.1
hexeditor	ms-	1.11.1
highlight-matching-tag	vin	0.11.0
html-css-class-completion	Zig	1.20.0
i18n-ally	lok	2.13.1
indent-rainbow	ode	8.3.1
intellicode-api-usage-examples	Vis	0.2.9
isort	ms-	2025.0.0
js-debug	ms-	1.100.1
js-debug-companion	ms-	1.1.3
jupyter	ms-	2025.5.0
jupyter-keymap	ms-	1.1.2
jupyter-renderers	ms-	1.1.0
language-gettext	mro	0.5.0
latte	Kas	0.18.0
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lnav	lna	0.1.0
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markdown-all-in-one	yzh	3.6.3
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material-theme	zhu	3.19.0
monokai-st3	And	0.2.0
one-dark-pro-monokai-darker	ese	1.1.0
pdf	tom	1.2.2
perl	ric	2.6.2
pgn	jak	1.0.2
php-debug	xde	1.36.1
php-docblocker	nei	2.7.0
phpcs	she	1.0.8
pylint	ms-	2025.2.0
python	ms-	2025.8.0
rainbow-csv	mec	3.19.0
remote-containers	ms-	0.417.0
remote-explorer	ms-	0.5.0
remote-repositories	ms-	0.42.0
remote-server	ms-	1.5.2
remote-ssh	ms-	0.120.0
remote-ssh-edit	ms-	0.87.0
remote-wsl	ms-	0.99.0
remotehub	Git	0.64.0
rest-client	hum	0.25.1
ruff	cha	2025.22.0
rust-analyzer	rus	0.3.2500
rust-extension-pack	wol	0.1.1
shellcheck	tim	0.37.7
shfmt	mkh	1.3.1
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solarized	rya	2.6.0
sublime-keybindings	ms-	4.1.10
svg	joc	1.5.4
svg-preview	Sim	2.8.3
test-adapter-converter	ms-	0.2.1
theme-material-theme	jpr	1.0.1
todo-tree	Gru	0.0.226
trailing-spaces	sha	0.4.1
vscode-apache	mrm	1.2.0
vscode-containers	ms-	2.0.3
vscode-docker	ms-	2.0.0
vscode-duplicate	mrm	1.2.1
vscode-edit-csv	jan	0.11.4
vscode-eslint	dba	3.0.10
vscode-filesize	mkx	3.2.2
vscode-github-actions	git	0.27.2
vscode-html-css	ecm	2.0.13
vscode-icons	vsc	12.13.0
vscode-intelephense-client	bme	1.14.4
vscode-js-profile-table	ms-	1.0.10
vscode-jupyter-cell-tags	ms-	0.1.9
vscode-jupyter-slideshow	ms-	0.1.6
vscode-language-pack-ja	MS-	1.101.2025061109
vscode-markdownlint	Dav	0.60.0
vscode-peacock	joh	4.2.2
vscode-perl	cfg	1.19.0
vscode-pgsql	ms-	1.4.2
vscode-phpunit	rec	3.7.10
vscode-pull-request-github	Git	0.110.0
vscode-pylance	ms-	2025.6.1
vscode-quick-select	dba	0.2.9
vscode-remote-extensionpack	ms-	0.26.0
vscode-rust-syntax	dun	0.0.32
vscode-rust-test-adapter	Swe	0.11.0
vscode-test-explorer	hbe	2.22.1
vscode-versionlens	pfl	1.22.2
vscode-yaml	red	1.18.0
vscodeintellicode	Vis	1.3.2

System Info

Item	Value
CPUs	Apple M1 Max (10 x 2400)
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: enabled_on video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off
Load (avg)	9, 10, 11
Memory (System)	64.00GB (0.18GB free)
Process Argv	--crash-reporter-id c08ac814-7444-4d49-92b6-4722e893ed0d
Screen Reader	no
VM	0%

Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Connecting with SSH timed out

Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Canceled

Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Connecting with SSH timed out

Connection to 'SSH: soba' could not be established Canceled

Connection to 'SSH: kome' could not be established Connecting with SSH timed out

A/B Experiments

vsliv368:30146709
vspor879:30202332
vspor708:30202333
vspor363:30204092
vswsl492cf:30256860
vscod805:30301674
binariesv615:30325510
vscaac:30438847
c4g48928:30535728
azure-dev_surveyone:30548225
962ge761:30959799
h48ei257:31000450
pythontbext0:30879054
cppperfnew:31000557
dwnewjupyter:31046869
pythonrstrctxt:31112756
nativeloc1:31192215
5fd0e150:31155592
dwcopilot:31170013
6074i472:31201624
dwoutputs:31242946
customenabled:31248079
hdaa2157:31222309
copilot_t_ci:31222730
e5gg6876:31282496
pythoneinst12:31285622
bgtreat:31268568
4gafe986:31271826
c7cif404:31314491
pythonpulldiagcf:31325931
996jf627:31283433
pythonrdcb7:31303018
usemplatestapi:31297334
0aa6g176:31307128
7bj51361:31289155
747dc170:31275177
6518g693:31325878
aj953862:31281341
generatesymbolt:31295002
convertfstringf:31295003
jhi8h917:31327034
1292j425:31329156

[gullevek]

Using the tip from this closed ticket (#24316) and adding

"python.experiments.optOutFrom": ["pythonTerminalEnvVarActivation"]

to the settings fixes the problem

[puittenbroek]

That is work around not an actual solution. This should just work out of the box. Has been annoying me quite a lot, happy I ran into this

[gullevek]

Oh this is no solution at all, this a hack fix to a bug.

[anthonykim1]

Can folks try out the shell startup with Python environment extension here? https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-python.vscode-python-envs

This is supposed to be the better terminal activation experience we are trying to provide instead of the terminal env var experiment.

Make sure to set python-envs.terminal.autoActivationType to shell startup.

[gullevek]

Activated this extension, on first try (reload of window) it seems to work. After a reload of the whole app it also works (I have removed the "python.experiments.optOutFrom": ["pythonTerminalEnvVarActivation"] entry before restarting the application.

Will monitor if this works local + remote

[puittenbroek]

Didn't work for me, ended up without any virtualenv (using mkvirtualenv under ubuntu) and python interpreter selection didn't work either.

[gitanon112]

how is this still an issue, why is the only option disabling auto venv activation??

[github-actions]

Hey @anthonykim1, this issue might need further attention.

@gullevek, you can help us out by closing this issue if the problem no longer exists, or adding more information.

[anthonykim1]

There has been more improvements to

python-envs.terminal.autoActivationType to shell startup.

Can people give this a try?
Install latest VS Code - Insiders and pre-release version of Python env extension.

Also set "python.useEnvironmentsExtension": true,