ipython

Start IPython

$ ipython

$ ipython [script.py]

$ ipython --profile=[name]

$ ipython -i -c "[code]"

$ ipython notebook

$ ipython profile create [name]

$ ipython --help-all

ipython [options] [files...]

ipython (Interactive Python) is an enhanced Python shell that extends the standard interpreter with features designed for productive exploratory programming. It provides automatic syntax highlighting, comprehensive tab completion for objects, modules, and file paths, inline docstring access with `?` and `??` suffixes, and a searchable input history that persists across sessions.
A distinguishing feature is IPython's system of magic commands -- special directives prefixed with `%` (line magics) or `%%` (cell magics) -- that provide functionality outside of normal Python syntax, such as `%timeit` for benchmarking, `%run` for executing scripts, `%debug` for post-mortem debugging, and `%paste` for correctly handling indented code from the clipboard. IPython also integrates tightly with the scientific Python ecosystem, offering optional auto-import of NumPy and Matplotlib via `--pylab`, and serves as the default kernel for Jupyter notebooks.

-i

Inspect interactively after script.

Execute code.

Use named profile.

Color scheme.

Suppress startup banner.

Start debugger on exception.

Load numpy and matplotlib.

Load matplotlib.

%run: Execute script
%timeit: Timing
%debug: Post-mortem debugging
%history: Show history
%load: Load code from file
%edit: Edit in external editor

Heavier than standard Python. Magic syntax not pure Python. Profile migration may be needed between versions.

IPython was created by Fernando Perez in 2001 to improve Python's interactive experience. It evolved into the Jupyter project, with IPython remaining as the Python kernel. It became essential infrastructure for scientific Python.

python(1), jupyter(1), bpython(1), ptpython(1)