Skip to main content
Spyder is an open-source included with Anaconda Distribution that offers advanced editing, interactive testing, debugging, and introspection features. Spyder integrates with popular libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, and more!
More of a visual learner? Sign in to Anaconda.com and enroll in our Get Started with Anaconda course. See the Create a simple Python program with Spyder lesson in the Hands-on Practice section.

​
Launching Spyder

After installing Anaconda and creating and activating your environment, you can start Spyder on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Launch Spyder using either Navigator or a command line terminal:
Spyder is only available by default in your base . For any other environments you have open in Navigator or your CLI, you may need to install Spyder in that environment.
You can also use Spyder with Miniconda. Use conda install spyder to install the Spyder package, as it does not come with Miniconda automatically.

​
Spyder errors or failure to launch on Windows

Cause
This may be caused by errors in the Spyder setting and configuration files.
Solution
  1. Close and relaunch Spyder and see if the problem remains.
  2. Open the Start Menu and then click Reset Spyder Settings and see if the problem remains.
  3. Close Spyder and relaunch it from Anaconda Prompt with the following command: 
    spyder
  4. Delete the directory .spyder2 and then repeat the first item in this list. Depending on your version of Windows, .spyder2 may be in C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME> or in C:\Users\<USERNAME>.
    Replace <USERNAME> with your Windows username as it appears in the Documents and Settings or Users folder.

​
Creating and activating a conda environment

Before starting your Python project, Anaconda recommends creating a to isolate your project’s software packages and manage their dependencies. For more information about creating and activating a conda environment, see Environments.

​
Selecting your environment’s Python interpreter

To ensure your code has access to the correct code completion and type information for your project, you must activate the conda environment associated with your project and select it as the Python interpreter in Spyder.
  1. Open Spyder.
  2. Select Completions in the status bar.
  3. Select Use the following Python interpreter.
  4. Select your preferred environment.
  5. Click Ok.
For more information, see the official Spyder website and documentation.