Install & Compatibility
Where this runs
tested against v4.6.3 · pip install
no network on importno background threads
Install × environment matrix
Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux
muslpy 3.10–3.95 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 9.944s · 220.1MB
glibcpy 3.10–3.95 runs
installs and imports cleanly · install 14.8s · import 9.042s · 204MB
207MB installed
● package 207MB
Code
Verified usage
Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.
CheckForUpdate
✓ from jupyterlab import CheckForUpdate
✗ from jupyter_server.serverapp import JupyterServerApp
load_jupyter_server_extension
✓ from jupyterlab import load_jupyter_server_extension
✗ from jupyter_server.serverapp import JupyterServerApp
handlers
✓ from jupyterlab import handlers
✗ from jupyter_server.serverapp import JupyterServerApp
Launch JupyterLab in your default web browser. It will typically open at `http://localhost:8888/lab`.
jupyter lab
jupyter-lab --version
Debug
Known issues
breakingJupyterLab 3.x extensions are generally incompatible with JupyterLab 4.x due to significant type and API changes. JupyterLab 3 reached end of maintenance on May 15, 2024, with critical fixes until December 31, 2024. Upgrade extensions and ensure compatibility when migrating to JupyterLab 4.fixUpgrade to JupyterLab 4.x and migrate or find updated versions of any installed extensions. Consult the 'Extension Migration Guide' in the official documentation.
affects: <4.0.0
gotchaIf 'jupyter' command is not found after `pip install --user jupyterlab`, it's likely due to the user-level bin directory not being in your PATH environment variable.fixAdd `export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"` to your shell profile (e.g., `.bashrc`, `.zshrc`) on Unix-like systems, or execute `~/.local/bin/jupyter lab` directly.
affects: All
gotchaAvoid running `jupyter lab` from your root volume (e.g., `C:\` on Windows or `/` on Linux) to minimize the risk of inadvertently modifying system files.fixNavigate to a specific project directory or your user home directory before launching JupyterLab: `cd ~/my_projects && jupyter lab`.
affects: All
deprecatedFor Jupyter Notebook versions older than 5.3, enabling the JupyterLab server extension required running `jupyter serverextension enable --py jupyterlab --sys-prefix`. This step is no longer necessary for modern JupyterLab installations.fixEnsure your Jupyter Notebook installation is up-to-date. For current versions of JupyterLab, this command is not needed.
affects: <= 5.3 of Jupyter Notebook (not JupyterLab itself)
deprecatedOlder 'source extensions' for JupyterLab, which required Node.js and a full JupyterLab rebuild upon installation, are deprecated. Modern prebuilt extensions are distributed as Python packages and can be installed with `pip` or `conda` without a rebuild.fixWhen developing or installing extensions, prioritize those distributed as Python packages (prebuilt extensions) compatible with JupyterLab 4+.
affects: <3.0.0 (for extension development/installation method)
gotchaReal-time collaboration (RTC) in JupyterLab 4 has been moved into a separate package, `jupyter_collaboration`. It's no longer built-in.fixIf real-time collaboration is needed, install the dedicated package: `pip install jupyter_collaboration`.
affects: >=4.0.0
gotchaThe command `jupyter lab` is a shell command, not Python syntax. Attempting to execute it directly within a Python script will result in a `SyntaxError`.fixExecute `jupyter lab` directly in your shell or terminal. If you need to launch it programmatically from Python, use the `subprocess` module (e.g., `import subprocess; subprocess.run(['jupyter', 'lab'])`).
affects: All
gotchaExecuting `jupyter lab` directly within a Python script will lead to a `SyntaxError` because `jupyter lab` is a shell command, not valid Python syntax.fixTo execute shell commands like `jupyter lab` from within a Python script, use Python's `subprocess` module (e.g., `subprocess.run(['jupyter', 'lab'])`) or `os.system('jupyter lab')`. affects: All
Upgrade
Version history
4.6.3latest on PyPI · released Aug 10, 2026
Audit
Dependencies
pythonrequiredJupyterLab requires Python 3.9 or newer.
jupyter_serverrequiredJupyterLab runs on top of Jupyter Server, which provides the backend services, APIs, and REST endpoints.