Wait, what?? Why would you use R Studio as an IDE for running Python? There’s a simple answer to this question: this is the perfect Data Science IDE when you use R and Python together. You’ll find below the simple steps to help set up a project in R Studio so you can start using Python: Create an R Studio Project: Navigate and save your project: File -> New Project – > Existing Directory (linked to the GitHub folder if applicable) / New Directory ( if you work locally) . Create and activate Python virtual environment Each project might require different versions of packages and this can be encapsulated in a virtual environment. You’ll have to create and select the virtual environment as the Python interpreter for the RStudio Project and then activate. Install virtual environment with pip install in the RStudio terminal window (initial setup): pip install virtualenv Create the virtual environment for the current project (initial setup): virtualenv environment_name Activate the virtual environment for the current project (initial setup): on Windows: environment_name\Scripts\activate.bat on MAC: source environment_name\bin\activate Select Python interpreter Navigate and select your Python interpreter : Tools -> Global Options – > Python -> Select -> Virtual environments When you open the project, just remember to activate the environment: environment_name\Scripts\activate.bat (Note: I participate in the affiliate amazon program. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon or other publishers I trust (at no extra cost to you). I may receive a small commission when you buy using my links, this helps to keep the blog alive! See disclosure for details.) If you’re new to RStudio , you can browse this book. Once you start coding, you might be also interested in reading: the 17 Clean Code standards to adopt NOW! “Freeze” your Python environment by creating the Requirements.txt file This is a personal blog. My opinion on what I share with you is that “All models are wrong, but some are useful”. Improve the accuracy of any model I present and make it useful!