sys.path different in Jupyter and Python - how to import own modules in Jupyter?

Question

In Jupyter my own little module is not loaded but in python/bpython is everything is fine. When typing

import sys
print(sys.path)

the path to my module will not in show in Jupyter but in python/bpython it is still there.

I am using:

1. PYTHONPATH in .bashrc to include my module,
2. Jupyter and bpython inside a virtualenv.

The most similar questions is this Cannot import modules in jupyter notebook; wrong sys.path

How to configure Jupyter to load my modules automagically?

Answer 1

Here is what I do on my projects in jupyter notebook,

import sys
sys.path.append("../") # go to parent dir
from customFunctions import *

Then, to affect changes in customFunctions.py,

%load_ext autoreload
%autoreload 2

Answer 2

Jupyter has its own PATH variable, JUPYTER_PATH.

Adding this line to the .bashrc file worked for me:

export JUPYTER_PATH=<directory_for_your_module>:$JUPYTER_PATH

Answer 3

Jupyter is base on ipython, a permanent solution could be changing the ipython config options.

Create a config file

$ ipython profile create
$ ipython locate
/Users/username/.ipython

Edit the config file

$ cd /Users/username/.ipython
$ vi profile_default/ipython_config.py

The following lines allow you to add your module path to sys.path

c.InteractiveShellApp.exec_lines = [
    'import sys; sys.path.append("/path/to/your/module")'
]

At the jupyter startup the previous line will be executed

Here you can find more details about ipython config https://www.lucypark.kr/blog/2013/02/10/when-python-imports-and-ipython-does-not/