🚀 Transform VS Code into a collaborative data science platform with seamless local-to-cloud scaling and rich document creation in just 2 clicks.
💻 Execute notebooks on cloud compute, 📝 create beautiful reports with Notion-like collaborative documents, and 🔄 switch effortlessly between local and remote environments - all within your familiar VS Code interface.
See it in action:
🚀 Key Benefits
⚡ Instant Cloud Scaling
Zero-setup cloud execution - Run workloads on cloud CPUs or GPUs without any local Python installation
2-click scaling - Switch from local development to cloud compute instantly via the kernel picker
Smart resource management - Automatic runtime creation and reuse to optimize compute costs
📝 Collaborative Rich Documents
Notion-like documents with rich formatting - Create beautiful reports with headings, lists, images, tables, executable code blocks, etc.
Real-time collaboration - Multiple users can edit documents simultaneously with live updates
Mixed content support - Seamlessly combine executable code, images, text, and more in a single document
🔀 Ultimate Flexibility
Seamless local ↔ cloud switching - Start locally, scale to cloud, then return to local development
Multiple runtime support - Connect to Datalayer cloud, local Python, or existing Jupyter servers
Code preservation - Your code runs identically across local and cloud environments
Hybrid workflows - Use the best of both worlds without vendor lock-in
⚡ Quick Start
Create a free account at datalayer.app and get an access token from your account settings.
Theme synchronization - Documents automatically match your VS Code theme
Unified kernel picker - Access Datalayer cloud, local Python, and Jupyter servers
Rich status indicators - Connection status and runtime info in status bar
Command palette integration - All features accessible via Ctrl+Shift+P
💡 Common Questions
Do I need Python locally? No! Cloud runtimes handle all execution with zero local setup. You can still connect to local Python/Jupyter environments if preferred for hybrid workflows.
Can I edit cloud documents? Yes! Cloud documents are fully editable. Create, modify, and collaborate on notebooks and lexical documents directly in your cloud spaces.
How do credits work? Runtimes consume credits while active. The extension intelligently reuses existing healthy runtimes to minimize costs and maximize your credit efficiency.
Can I use without a Datalayer account? Absolutely! Use it for local .ipynb files and connecting to your existing Python/Jupyter environments. Cloud features require an account.
How do I get an access token? Visit datalayer.app, navigate to account settings, and generate a token for VS Code integration.
How fast is the local ↔ cloud switching? Switching between local and cloud execution takes just 2 clicks via the kernel picker - no configuration or setup required.
What makes lexical documents special? Think Notion meets Jupyter! Unlike traditional notebooks, lexical documents provide a Notion-like editing experience with rich formatting, real-time collaboration, and support for images, tables, and formatted text alongside executable code - perfect for creating professional reports and documentation.