When trying to run Python code in the VSCode editor on macOS, the following error occurred:
[Running] python -u "/Users/hyunwoochoi/Desktop/github/CodingInterview/LeetCode/Easy/13. Roman to Integer.py"
/bin/sh: python: command not found
[Done] exited with code=127 in 0.012 seconds
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After searching online, I found that this happens because the python command cannot be found on macOS.
On macOS, Python is often run using python3 instead of python.
Why does this happen?
•
On macOS 12 and later, Python 2 has been completely removed.
•
Even after installing Python 3, the python command is not automatically registered; you can only use python3.
•
VSCode’s Python execution command is set to python, so it cannot be found.
How to fix it
Method 1 - Configure VSCode to use python3
1.
Open the Command Palette in VSCode (⌘ + Shift + P)
2.
Search for "Python: Select Interpreter"
3.
Select the path to your installed Python 3 (e.g., /usr/local/bin/python3 or /opt/homebrew/bin/python3)
Method 2 - Link the python command to python3 (Symbolic Link)
In the terminal:
which python3 # Check the path of python3
# Example: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3
sudo ln -s $(which python3) /usr/local/bin/python
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This will make the python command run python3.
In my case, running which python3 to check the installed Python path returned:
/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.13/bin/python3
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Method 3 - Change the execution command in VSCode
1.
Open the Command Palette in VSCode
•
⌘ + Shift + P
2.
Search for Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)
3.
Click to open settings.json
Add the following to your settings.json file
"code-runner.executorMap": {
"python": "python3 -u"
}
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File name to modify : settings.json
This way, when you use Run Code, it will execute with python3.