Python VSCode formatOnSave with black not working in WSL

Question

I am using WSL2 to work on some Python project, but black is not auto-formatting in VSCode (Remote - WSL).

System info:

• Base system: Windows 11 Pro x64
• WSL2 system: Ubuntu-22.04-LTS
• settings.json path in WSL: /home/<user>/.vscode-server/data/Machine/settings.json

My settings.json looks like:

{
  // Python linting and formatting customizations..
  "python.linting.pylintEnabled": false,
  "python.linting.flake8Enabled": true,
  "python.linting.enabled": true,
  "python.linting.flake8Args": ["--max-line-length=100", "--ignore=E501"],
  "python.formatting.provider": "black",
  "python.formatting.blackArgs": ["--line-length", "100"],
  "[python]": {
    "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
      "source.organizeImports": true
    },
    "editor.formatOnSave": true
  }
}

This same settings works on my Windows 11 system. In local Windows, whenever I create a virtual environment for a python project and save a python file, vscode automatically asks me to install flake8 and black in the venv. But nothing of the sort happens in WSL.

Even if I install black in WSL Python venv, it does not auto-format the Python code; and there are no logs related to black visible in either Output > Python or Output > Log (Main) tab.

But manual formatting works after I install black in venv:

(venv) asif@MSI:~/vscode/myproject/$ black app_pkg/models.py 
reformatted app_pkg/models.py

All done! ✨ 🍰 ✨
1 file reformatted.

Note: I even tried adding "python.formatting.blackPath": "./venv/bin/black" to settings.json file, but it didn't work.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Edit: As suggested, I have these two settings enabled in my system, Format on save applied universally: Python code formatter set as black :

Still I am unable to make the Python formatOnSave work in VSCode-WSL.

Answer 1

But manual formatting works after I install black in venv

It can be seen that black can work.Now let's set up automatic formatting for vscode:

First open the settings of vscode, search for format on save , and then check it. Set this step, and the code will be automatically typeset every time the file is saved.

Then search Python formatting provider and select black .