Positron is a next-generation data science IDE, developed by Posit (the makers of RStudio). Positron is built on the VS Code architecture and supports R and Python natively. It offers an integrated data viewer, a variable explorer, and modern development tools in a unified interface.
Positron is currently still in beta, but is already available as free and open-source software.
Installation
Positron can be downloaded directly from the official website or from GitHub:
- Download Positron – Official download page
- GitHub Releases – All versions
Positron is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. R and/or Python should be installed beforehand so that Positron can automatically detect the languages.
Since Positron is still in beta, there may be occasional changes to the user interface or features. We recommend checking for updates regularly.
The Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Positron combines the familiar VS Code interface with data science tools:
- Editor (centre) – Syntax-highlighting editor for R, Python, and many other languages. Supports code completion and integrated debugging.
- Console (bottom) – Interactive R and Python consoles that you can switch between.
- Variable Explorer (side) – Displays all objects in the current workspace with type, size, and preview.
- Data Viewer – Tabular view of DataFrames and tibbles with filtering and sorting capabilities.
- File Explorer (side) – File management, source control (Git), extensions, and more.
Positron offers many familiar features from RStudio, such as the variable explorer and data viewer, combined with the extensibility of VS Code. If you already use RStudio, you will find your way around quickly.
Further Resources
- Positron – Official website
- Positron on GitHub – Source code and issue tracker
- Posit Blog – Announcements and updates