To keep VS Code running Python scripts on a remote SSH server, you need to ensure both your local VS Code and the remote environment are set up correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Set Up SSH Connection in VS Code

• Install the Remote - SSH extension in VS Code.
• Connect to your remote server using the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P > Remote-SSH: Connect to Host).
• Enter your SSH credentials (e.g., user@hostname).

2. Open Your Project Folder

• Once connected, open the folder containing your Python project on the remote server.

3. Use the Python Extension

• Ensure the Python extension is installed on the remote server (VS Code will prompt you if it’s missing).
• Select the correct Python interpreter on the remote machine (bottom-left corner of VS Code).

4. Run Python Scripts Remotely

• Open the terminal in VS Code (`Ctrl+``) to confirm you’re in the remote environment.
• Run your Python script as usual:

  bash
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  python3 your_script.py
  

• To keep the script running after closing VS Code or the terminal, use:

  bash
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  nohup python3 your_script.py > output.log 2>&1 &
  

  • nohup prevents the process from stopping when the terminal closes.
  • > output.log redirects output to a log file.
  • 2>&1 captures errors.
  • & runs the process in the background.

5. Monitor and Manage Background Processes

• To check running processes:

  bash
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  ps aux | grep python
  

• To stop a process:

  bash
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  kill -9 <PID>
  

6. (Optional) Use tmux or screen for Persistent Sessions

• Install tmux or screen on the remote server:

  bash
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  sudo apt install tmux  # Debian/Ubuntu
  

• Start a new session:

  bash
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  tmux new -s my_session
  

• Run your script inside the session.
• Detach from the session (Ctrl+B, then D).
• Reattach later:

  bash
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  tmux attach -t my_session
  

7. (Advanced) Use VS Code Tasks

• Create a .vscode/tasks.json file to define custom tasks for running scripts remotely:

  json
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  {
    "version": "2.0.0",
    "tasks": [
      {
        "label": "Run Python Script",
        "type": "shell",
        "command": "python3 your_script.py",
        "problemMatcher": [],
        "options": {
          "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
  

• Run the task via the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P > Run Task).

Key Notes

• Permissions: Ensure your user has execute permissions for the script and write access to the log file.
• Dependencies: Install required Python packages on the remote server (e.g., pip install -r requirements.txt).
• Port Forwarding: If your script uses ports, forward them via SSH:

  bash
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  ssh -L local_port:localhost:remote_port user@hostname