Frequently Asked Questions

R and Python are first-class supported languages via efforts here at Posit.
Additional languages typically used in package development are supported via existing third party extensions. These don’t make use of the full Positron data science experience including an interactive console, plots, and similar. Some examples include Rust, Javascript/Typescript, C/C++, or Lua.
Positron provides public APIs for additional data science languages to be supported in the future.

Positron has first-class, built-in support for R and/or Python via an integrated Console, with extensibility options for other languages in the future. This native support includes specialized views and panes throughout Positron such as a Data Explorer, Connections Pane, Variables Pane, and more.
Positron runs the interpreter separately from the IDE, so unlike in RStudio a crash in R/Python won’t always crash the IDE. It also means that you can swap between versions of your preferred language on the fly without a full reload of the IDE, just the integrated console.
Positron supports VS Code compatible extensions (.vsix files), providing extensibility of capabilities beyond the core IDE itself. By building on Code OSS, Positron gets rich text editor capabilities and access to 1,000s of community extensions out of the box. Read more about using extensions with Positron.
Positron is deeply focused on native data science workflows; it provides a batteries-included and cohesive experience beyond that of a general-purpose IDE or text editor such as VS Code.

Positron is available as a free desktop app for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. This desktop app includes support (currently early stage and experimental) for remote SSH sessions, allowing you to connect to remote Linux servers for scaling or data access purposes.
There is no native browser or server version of Positron available or planned, outside of Posit Workbench. Posit Workbench currently has preview support for Positron Pro sessions; Positron Pro on Posit Workbench will move into general availability as the IDE matures. Posit Workbench provides enterprise-grade features such as access to highly scalable compute, single-sign on, native authorization to data governance tools such as Databricks or Snowflake, container-backed sessions, multi-session capabilities, and more.

Our aspirations for Positron go far beyond what is possible via only extensions. Ultimately, VS Code’s Extension API doesn’t provide enough leverage to modify the main “workbench” surface.
To deliver a truly excellent data science experience, we need to change and augment core components and UI elements that are outside the scope of VS Code’s extension API.
We have developed some components as extensions for use in both Positron and VS Code, such as Quarto and Shiny for R/Python. However, given the additional API surface in Positron, we plan to progressively enhance these and future extensions when installed in Positron.

No, we are committed to maintaining and updating RStudio.
While Positron and RStudio have some features in common, some R-focused features will remain exclusive to RStudio.
We began developing Positron as part of our mission to support open-source data science in multiple languages, including R and Python.
If you’re currently using RStudio and are happy with the experience, you can continue to enjoy RStudio. RStudio includes 10+ years of applied optimizations for R data analysis and package development.

Check out the RStudio Keymap section of our documentation.
To opt in to these RStudio-like keybindings:
- Run the command Preferences: Open Settings.
- Search for “keymap”.
- Find “RStudio > Keymap: Enable”, and check the box to opt in.