Use REPL with WSL and SSH Remote Kernels
Run Jupyter kernels on remote machines or WSL environments
The REPL now supports running Jupyter kernels on WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) and SSH remote machines, letting you execute code in remote environments directly from Zed.
What Are Remote Kernels?
Remote kernels allow you to run notebook code on a different machine or environment than where Zed is running. This is useful for:
- Using powerful remote servers for computations
- Running code in Linux environments from Windows via WSL
- Accessing GPU resources on remote machines
- Working with specific environments or dependencies
How to Use
- Open a notebook file (
.ipynb) in Zed - Click the kernel selector in the REPL interface
- Choose from available kernel options:
- Local kernels: Run on your machine
- WSL kernels: Run in Windows Subsystem for Linux
- SSH kernels: Run on remote SSH servers
- Select your desired kernel and start running code
The kernel spawning and lifecycle management is handled automatically through the remote protocol.
Why This Matters
Remote computing: Leverage powerful servers without leaving Zed.
Environment isolation: Run code in specific environments (WSL, Docker, etc.).
Cross-platform: Windows users can use Linux environments seamlessly.
Resource access: Connect to machines with GPUs, large datasets, or specific software.
Requirements
- WSL: Windows Subsystem for Linux must be installed and configured
- SSH: SSH access to remote machines with Jupyter kernels installed
- Kernels: Target environment must have required Jupyter kernels available
This feature integrates with Zed’s existing remote development capabilities, bringing the full power of remote computing to notebook workflows.