How to work with JupyterLab extensions (install/enable) userwise: working path and user config setting

JupyterLab_HowTo_Extensions.md

You may have noticed that you cannot install JupyterLab extensions on a user level (no root) out of the box on Linux/Unix systems.

After reading and trying different suggestions I recommend the next steps:

1. Build your JupyterLab assets. Open your terminal and run:

JUPYTERLAB_DIR=.jupyter/lab jupyter-lab build

Set the path you want/need, notice that you can run 'jupyter lab' instead of 'jupyter-lab.

2. Now you are ready to launch JupyterLab specifying the working directory and work with extensions:

on GUI

JUPYTERLAB_DIR=.jupyter/lab jupyter-lab

on Terminal

JUPYTERLAB_DIR=.jupyter/lab jupyter labextension install extension_name

3. Make the directory variable permanent for your command line shell:

for Bash

echo "export JUPYTERLAB_DIR=~/.jupyter/lab" >> .bashrc

Now you can run JupyterLab from your terminal and list, install/uninstall, update, enable/disable, etc., extensions via GUI and also manage them with the extensions package manager:

jupyter labextension <install/uninstall/enable/disable/update> extension_name

If you want to launch JupyterLab without using the terminal with your set working directory you need to generate and edit your user config file.

4. On your terminal, run:

jupyter-lab --generate-config

5. Edit the generated user configuration file and uncomment the next line:

c.LabApp.app_dir = '/home/your_username/.jupyter/lab'