Boost Your Python Productivity: 13 Essential PyCharm Plugins You Must Use

The article introduces a collection of useful PyCharm plugins and built‑in features to enhance Python development productivity.

1. Key Promoter X

If you need a must‑install shortcut plugin, choose Key Promoter X. It teaches you the appropriate shortcut for each action and reminds you to assign shortcuts when missing, helping you master keyboard shortcuts quickly.

2. Vim in PyCharm

For Vim enthusiasts, install the ideaVim plugin after installing PyCharm. It enables full Vim editing inside the IDE; restart PyCharm for the changes to take effect.

3. Markdown in PyCharm

To view Markdown files properly, install the Markdown support plugin. You can install it either by opening a .md file and following the prompt or by searching the plugin marketplace.

4. Jupyter Notebook in PyCharm

Install Jupyter with pip install jupyter, then create a new Notebook in PyCharm. The interface may look different from the classic Jupyter UI, but the three essential shortcuts— Ctrl+Enter (run cell), Option+Shift+Enter (debug cell), and Shift+Enter (new cell)—work the same.

5. Regex Tester in PyCharm

The Regex Tester third‑party plugin lets you test regular expressions, split, replace, and view matches with highlighted results directly inside PyCharm.

6. Use Bash in Windows

On Windows, replace dir with Linux‑style ls -l inside the Bash window for a more comfortable command‑line experience.

7. Auto PEP8 in PyCharm

Install autopep8 globally ( pip install autopep8) and configure it as an external tool in PyCharm to automatically format code according to PEP 8 standards.

8. Test RESTful Web Service

PyCharm’s built‑in Test RESTful Web Service tool lets you send GET, POST, PUT, etc., requests. The article demonstrates creating a simple Flask endpoint and testing it via this tool.

9. Execute Selection in Console

Use Execute Selection in Console (or shortcut Option+Shift+E / Alt+Shift+E) to run selected code in a Python console, with automatic indentation handling.

10. CodeGlance

Install the CodeGlance plugin to get a mini‑map preview of your code on the scrollbar, similar to Sublime Text.

11. Chinese Plugin

The official JetBrains Chinese localization plugin translates the entire UI into Chinese, making PyCharm more accessible for native speakers.

12. Profile in PyCharm

Use the built‑in profiler (Run → Profile) to analyze performance of functions. The article shows profiling a sample script, interpreting the time, call count, and call‑graph visualizations.

13. Json Parse in PyCharm

The JSON Parser plugin provides an integrated JSON validator and formatter within the IDE.

14. Inspect Code in PyCharm

PyCharm includes static code inspection. Right‑click a project folder and select Inspect Code to run analysis and detect hidden bugs without additional plugins.

These tools collectively cover shortcut management, Vim editing, Markdown rendering, notebook integration, regex testing, shell usage, code formatting, REST testing, selective execution, code overview, localization, profiling, JSON handling, and static analysis, offering a comprehensive productivity boost for Python developers.