Conda Environment Cheatsheet — For Everyone Using Conda in VS Code

This post is for everyone using Conda — it’s a quick reference guide so you don’t have to memorize all the commands when creating or using a Conda environment. Bookmark it and come back anytime you’re starting a new environment.

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Make Sure VS Code Sees Conda

1. Open VS Code
2. Open the terminal (Press Ctrl + ')
3. Check if Conda works:

   conda --version

   • If it shows a version, you’re ready.
   • If not, initialize Conda for your shell and restart VS Code:

     conda init powershell
     # or
     conda init cmd.exe

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Creating and Activating Environments

Create a new environment with Python 3.11:

conda create --name myenv python=3.11

Activate the environment:

conda activate myenv

Deactivate it:

conda deactivate

💡 Once activated in VS Code’s terminal, the environment will appear in Command Palette → Python: Select Interpreter.

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Installing Packages

Install with conda:

conda install numpy pandas matplotlib

Install a specific version:

conda install scipy=1.10.1

Install via pip if package isn't in conda:

pip install transformers

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Managing Environments

See all environments

conda info --envs

Remove an environment

conda remove --name myenv --all

Clone an environment

conda create --name myenv_copy --clone myenv

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Exporting & Sharing

Export environment to a file

conda env export > environment.yml

Create environment from a file

conda env create --file environment.yml

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Quick Reference Table

Quick Reference Table

Action	Command
Create env	conda create -n envname python=3.11
Activate env	conda activate envname
Deactivate env	conda deactivate
Install package	conda install packagename
Install via pip	pip install packagename
List envs	conda info --envs
Remove env	conda remove -n envname --all
Export env	conda env export > environment.yml
Create from export	conda env create -f environment.yml

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I made this for my self and anyone who uses conda frequently. Anytime you’re setting up a new project in VS Code, just pull up this list and copy-paste what you need.