Positron
Positron is a desktop data science IDE for macOS that helps users work with Python and R in one integrated workspace.
What is Positron?
Positron is a native desktop integrated development environment for data science on macOS. It is designed for people who work with Python and R and want coding, notebooks, console work, data exploration, and project tools in one application. Users commonly use it to write and run scripts, inspect tables and variables, explore files, and manage source-controlled analysis projects. Positron also supports extensions, which helps it fit into a wider development workflow without requiring a separate editor for everyday tasks. The app is published by Posit and is aimed at analysts, data scientists, researchers, and developers who need an IDE centered on data work rather than general text editing.
Key features
- Write and run Python and R code in one workspace
- Work with notebooks and interactive console sessions
- Explore data tables, variables, and files inside the app
- Use extensions to add tools for different workflows
- Manage projects with built-in source control support
- Open and inspect common data files during analysis
Review app leftovers with diCleaner
Inspect caches, support files, containers, and login items before cleaning.
Safety overview
Status: Safe
Positron is legitimate development software for coding and data analysis. It may access files, project folders, terminals, and package environments as part of normal IDE use, which is expected for this kind of app. Any data you open in the app can be viewed by the app and by extensions you choose to install, so use trusted extensions and be mindful when working with sensitive files or credentials.
Recommendation: Keep Positron if you use Python or R for analysis, scripting, notebooks, or related development work. Remove it only if you no longer use it, and expect any app-specific settings, extensions, and local workspace preferences tied to the app to stop being available.
Common paths
/Applications/Positron.app
Cache paths
~/Library/Caches/co.posit.positron
Support paths
~/Library/Application Support/Positron
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/co.posit.positron.plist
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