wxPython + Spyder 6 Guide • Brooks Computing Systems

Spyder uses Qt — wxPython uses wxWidgets. Running both in the same process usually breaks (no window, freeze, crash). Here are the working workarounds.

Run in dedicated / external Python process — most reliable
- Open script in Spyder Editor
- Press F6 or Run → Configure
- Select:
  - Execute in a new dedicated Python interpreter (best choice)
  - or Execute in an external system terminal
- Uncheck "Interact with console after execution" (optional)
- Then just press F5 — Spyder remembers this per file
Separate console just for GUI code
- Consoles → New console (or click + icon)
- Choose "new dedicated Python interpreter"
- Paste code or %run your_script.py in that console

import wx

app = wx.App()
frame = wx.Frame(None, title="wxPython Test — Spyder 6", size=(400, 300))
panel = wx.Panel(frame)
txt = wx.StaticText(panel, label="If you see this window → it works!", pos=(20, 20))
frame.Show()
app.MainLoop()

Run with one of the two methods above.

Make sure wxPython is in the environment Spyder uses:

pip

pip install wxPython

conda

conda install -c conda-forge wxpython

Python versions that usually work well (2025–2026):

3.9 – 3.12

Using plain F5 in the default IPython console:

No window appears
Freezes / hangs
Event loop errors
Crashes on close (especially macOS)

Reason: Qt + wxWidgets fighting over the main loop in the same process.

Method	Reliability	Window appears?	Debugging possible?	Recommended?
F5 in default console	Low	Usually no	Yes	Avoid
F6 → Dedicated interpreter	High	Yes	Limited	Yes
F6 → External terminal	High	Yes	No	Yes (fallback)
Separate dedicated console	Medium-High	Yes	Yes	Good