Configure Databricks In VS Code: A Step-by-Step Guide

Nov 8, 2025 by Admin 54 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to integrate the power of Databricks with the comfort of Visual Studio Code? Well, you're in luck! This guide will walk you through setting up Databricks in VS Code, step by step, making your data engineering and data science workflows smoother than ever. Let's dive right in!

Prerequisites

Before we get started, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

Databricks Account: You'll need an active Databricks account. If you don't have one, you can sign up for a free trial on the Databricks website.
Visual Studio Code: Ensure you have Visual Studio Code installed on your machine. If not, download it from the official VS Code website.
Python: Databricks often works with Python, so having Python installed is crucial. Make sure it's set up and configured correctly.
Databricks CLI: The Databricks Command Line Interface (CLI) is essential for interacting with Databricks from your terminal. We'll cover its installation and configuration in the steps below.

Step 1: Install the Databricks CLI

First off, let's get the Databricks CLI installed. This tool will allow you to interact with your Databricks workspace from the command line, which is essential for configuring VS Code.

Open your terminal: Launch your terminal or command prompt.
Install using pip: Run the following command to install the Databricks CLI using pip:
```
pip install databricks-cli
```
This command downloads and installs the latest version of the Databricks CLI along with its dependencies. Make sure pip is up to date to avoid any installation issues.
Verify the installation: After the installation is complete, verify it by running:
```
databricks --version
```
This command should display the version number of the Databricks CLI, confirming that it has been installed successfully. If you encounter any errors, double-check your Python environment and ensure that pip is correctly configured.

Step 2: Configure the Databricks CLI

Now that you've installed the Databricks CLI, it's time to configure it to connect to your Databricks workspace. This involves setting up authentication so that the CLI can securely interact with your Databricks account.

Run the configure command: In your terminal, run the following command:
```
databricks configure
```
This command initiates the configuration process and prompts you for several pieces of information.
Enter Databricks Host: You'll be asked to enter your Databricks host. This is the URL of your Databricks workspace. It typically looks like https://<your-databricks-instance>.cloud.databricks.com. You can find this URL in your browser's address bar when you're logged into your Databricks workspace. Make sure to include the https://. If you miss this, the connection will error out.
Enter a personal access token: Next, you'll need to enter a personal access token. This token is used to authenticate your CLI requests to Databricks. To generate a personal access token:
- Log in to your Databricks workspace.
- Click on your username in the top right corner, then select "User Settings".
- Go to the "Access Tokens" tab.
- Click the "Generate New Token" button.
- Enter a description for the token (e.g., "VS Code Integration").
- Set the lifetime of the token. Keep in mind that for security reasons, it's best to set a reasonable expiration date. If you choose "No Expiration (Not Recommended)", understand the risks involved.
- Click "Generate".
- Copy the generated token. Important: This is the only time you'll see the token, so make sure to copy it and store it securely.
- Paste the token into your terminal when prompted by the databricks configure command.
Verify the configuration: To ensure that the CLI is correctly configured, run a simple command that interacts with your Databricks workspace. For example, you can list the clusters in your workspace:
```
databricks clusters list
```
If the CLI is properly configured, this command will return a list of your Databricks clusters. If you encounter any authentication errors, double-check your personal access token and ensure that it has the necessary permissions.

Step 3: Install the Databricks Extension for VS Code

Now that the Databricks CLI is set up, let's install the Databricks extension for VS Code. This extension provides seamless integration with Databricks, allowing you to develop, test, and deploy your code directly from VS Code.

Open VS Code: Launch Visual Studio Code on your machine.
Open the Extensions Marketplace: Click on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window (or press Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X).
Search for the Databricks extension: In the Extensions Marketplace search box, type "Databricks".
Install the extension: Find the Databricks extension in the search results (it's usually published by Databricks) and click the "Install" button. Make sure it is the verified extension by Databricks.
Reload VS Code: After the installation is complete, VS Code may prompt you to reload the window to activate the extension. Click the "Reload" button to reload VS Code.

Step 4: Configure the Databricks Extension in VS Code

With the Databricks extension installed, you need to configure it to connect to your Databricks workspace. This involves specifying your Databricks host and authentication details within VS Code.

Open VS Code settings: Go to File > Preferences > Settings (or press Ctrl+, or Cmd+,).
Search for Databricks settings: In the Settings search box, type "Databricks". This will display the Databricks-related settings.
Configure Databricks Host: Find the Databricks: Host setting and enter your Databricks host URL (e.g., https://<your-databricks-instance>.cloud.databricks.com). Again, ensure you include the https://.
Configure Databricks Authentication: There are several ways to configure authentication. The easiest is to use the Databricks CLI authentication, which we set up in Step 2. The extension should automatically detect the CLI configuration. If you prefer to use a personal access token directly in VS Code, you can configure the Databricks: Token setting with your token value.
Verify the configuration: To verify that the extension is correctly configured, open a Python or Scala file in VS Code and try to connect to your Databricks cluster. You can do this by opening the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P) and typing "Databricks: Connect to Cluster". Select a cluster from the list. If the connection is successful, you're good to go!

Step 5: Working with Databricks in VS Code

Now that you've configured the Databricks extension, you can start working with your Databricks workspace directly from VS Code. Here are some common tasks you can perform:

Developing Databricks notebooks: You can create, edit, and run Databricks notebooks directly within VS Code. The extension provides syntax highlighting, code completion, and other features to enhance your notebook development experience.
Submitting jobs to Databricks: You can submit jobs to your Databricks cluster from VS Code. This allows you to run your code and scripts on the Databricks platform without leaving your development environment.
Browsing Databricks file system: The extension allows you to browse the Databricks file system (DBFS) and manage your files and directories.
Debugging Databricks code: You can debug your Databricks code directly from VS Code. This helps you identify and fix issues in your code more efficiently.

To make the most of the Databricks extension, explore its features and capabilities. Refer to the extension's documentation for more information.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the configuration process, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Authentication errors: Double-check your Databricks host URL and personal access token. Make sure they are correct and that the token has the necessary permissions.
Connection errors: Ensure that your Databricks cluster is running and accessible. Verify that your network configuration allows communication between VS Code and your Databricks workspace.
Extension errors: Check the VS Code output panel for any error messages related to the Databricks extension. Refer to the extension's documentation or community forums for assistance.
CLI Errors: Ensure that the Databricks CLI is correctly installed and configured. Try running databricks configure again and verify each step. Also, ensure your pip is up to date.

Conclusion

Alright, there you have it! You've successfully configured Databricks in Visual Studio Code. This integration is a game-changer for data scientists and engineers, streamlining your workflow and boosting your productivity. By following these steps, you can seamlessly develop, test, and deploy your Databricks code from the comfort of VS Code. Happy coding, and may your data insights be ever insightful!