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How to Install and Launch JupyterLab

Rajiv Chandra
Name
Rajiv Chandra

Updated on

JupyterLab is the modern interface for working with notebooks, code, and data.
This quick guide helps you install and start JupyterLab in just a few minutes.

1. Install Python and pip

JupyterLab runs on Python, so you need Python (and pip) installed first.

Windows

Download the latest Python installer from:
👉 https://www.python.org/downloads/ (opens in a new tab)

During installation, check the box “Add Python to PATH.”
Pip is included automatically.

macOS & Linux

Most systems come with Python pre-installed. Check your version:

python3 --version

If Python is missing, install it via:

  • macOS (Homebrew):

    brew install python

  • Ubuntu / Debian:

    sudo apt install python3 python3-pip

2. Install JupyterLab

Once Python and pip are ready, install JupyterLab:

pip install jupyterlab

This installs the latest stable version (JupyterLab 4.x).

3. Launch JupyterLab

Start JupyterLab with:

jupyter lab

Your default browser will open automatically. You can now create notebooks, run Python code, and manage files.

Optional: Create a Virtual Environment (Recommended)

A virtual environment helps isolate packages between different projects.

1. Install virtualenv (if needed)

pip install virtualenv

2. Create a virtual environment

virtualenv myenv

3. Activate the environment

Windows

.\myenv\Scripts\activate

macOS & Linux

source myenv/bin/activate

4. Install JupyterLab inside the virtual environment

pip install jupyterlab

5. Launch JupyterLab

jupyter lab

To exit the environment:

deactivate

FAQ & Advanced Topics

(Placed after the beginner section to keep the guide simple upfront.)

Q1: How do I set up JupyterLab with Conda?

Conda is popular for data science because it manages both packages and environments.

1. Install Miniconda or Anaconda

2. Create a new environment

conda create --name myenv

3. Activate it

conda activate myenv

4. Install JupyterLab

conda install -c conda-forge jupyterlab

5. Launch JupyterLab

jupyter lab

Q2: How do I upgrade from Jupyter Notebook to JupyterLab?

You don’t need to uninstall Notebook. Both can coexist.

Using pip

pip install jupyterlab

Using conda

conda install -c conda-forge jupyterlab

After installation, simply run:

jupyter lab

Your existing .ipynb notebooks will open normally.

Q3: (Advanced) What about extensions or JupyterLab 4.x features?

  • JupyterLab 4.x uses a new extension system that removes the need for Node.js for most extensions.

  • Many popular extensions (themes, Git integration, variable inspector) support JupyterLab 4.

  • For extension installation:

    pip install jupyterlab-language-pack-<lang>
pip install jupyterlab_git

  • To list installed extensions:

    jupyter labextension list

If you’re a beginner, you can safely ignore extensions until you're more comfortable.

Q4: (Advanced) Can I run JupyterLab with Docker?

Yes. Example:

docker run -p 8888:8888 jupyter/base-notebook

Q5: (Advanced) How do I manage multiple Python kernels?

You can install kernels for different environments:

pip install ipykernel
python -m ipykernel install --user --name myenv