Fixing Org-Babel Autocompletions Across Src Blocks

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How to Fix Org-Babel Autocompletions Across Src Blocks in Emacs

Hey everyone! If you're using Emacs with org-babel and lsp-bridge (like, how awesome is that combo, right?), and you're running into some autocomplete issues across different source code blocks, you're in the right place. Specifically, if you're using Jupyter for Python and R code, and the autocomplete feature doesn't seem to recognize context from other blocks within the same Org file, then you're not alone, and we can fix this, guys! Let's dive in and get those autocompletions working seamlessly.

The Problem: Autocompletions Not Working Across Blocks

So, the core of the problem here is that, even though autocompletion works perfectly fine within individual code blocks, lsp-bridge doesn't seem to be picking up on the context from other source blocks in your Org file. This is super frustrating, especially when you're working on larger projects where code snippets are scattered across different blocks. This lack of context means you lose out on suggestions, and you might have to type out entire variable names or function calls that you know you've already defined somewhere else. Nobody wants to do that, right? This is where we need to make some tweaks to get things running smoothly. This is especially true if you are a python or R user, since the jupyter integration is often used in this way. We will look at how to fix this situation, and get the autocomplete working properly across your blocks.

Understanding the Setup: lsp-bridge and Org-Babel

Before we jump into the fixes, let's quickly recap the setup. You're using lsp-bridge, a fantastic package in Emacs that provides Language Server Protocol (LSP) support, along with org-babel, which allows you to execute code blocks within your Org files. The magic happens when lsp-bridge connects to language servers (like pylsp for Python or ess-r for R) and provides features like autocompletion, diagnostics, and more. Your configuration looks something like this:

(use-package lsp-bridge
  :ensure nil
  :hook
  (org-mode . lsp-bridge-mode)
  ;; Ensure src-edit buffers (C-c ') get lsp-bridge
  (org-src-mode . (lambda () (lsp-bridge-mode 1)))
  :init
  (setq lsp-bridge-enable-diagnostics t
        lsp-bridge-enable-signature-help t
        lsp-bridge-enable-hover-diagnostic t
        lsp-bridge-enable-auto-format-code nil
        lsp-bridge-enable-completion-in-minibuffer nil
        lsp-bridge-enable-log nil
        lsp-bridge-org-babel-lang-list nil
        lsp-bridge-enable-org-babel t   ;; enable completion in org-babel src blocks
        lsp-bridge-use-popup t
        lsp-bridge-python-lsp-server "pylsp"
		lsp-bridge-nix-lsp-server "nil"
		lsp-bridge-tex-lsp-server "texlab"
        lsp-bridge-csharp-lsp-server "omnisharp-roslyn")
  )

(with-eval-after-load 'org
  (add-to-list 'org-src-lang-modes '("jupyter-python" . python))
  (add-to-list 'org-src-lang-modes '("jupyter-R" . ess-r)))

And you're using templates like this for your source blocks:

#+begin_src jupyter-python :session py :async yes

#+end_src

This setup looks solid, but as you've noticed, it doesn't quite achieve cross-block autocompletion out of the box. So, now let's get into the specifics of how to fix this issue. We will delve into how to enable the autocompletion, and ensure that the code is working as expected across your blocks, with this configuration.

Debugging and Troubleshooting Steps

First things first, guys, let's make sure that the basics are covered. Here are a few troubleshooting steps to ensure that everything is set up correctly and running as it should. There are a few key points here that need to be followed. Make sure that you go through each of these items, as they could be preventing the correct function of the autocompletions.

1. Verify lsp-bridge-enable-org-babel:

Make sure the setting lsp-bridge-enable-org-babel is set to t. As you have in your configuration, this is enabled already, so it seems like you are good to go! This setting is responsible for enabling LSP support in org-babel source blocks. If this isn't enabled, then autocomplete will not work at all within your src blocks. It is set to true by default, but it's always good to double-check.

2. Check Language Server Status:

Make sure your language server is running correctly for the languages you're using (Python and R in your case). If the language server isn't running or is having issues, then autocompletion won't work. You can check the server status by running M-x lsp-bridge-describe-session. This should show you whether the servers are connected and healthy. If you are having issues, you may need to check the logs of the language server to see if there are any issues.

3. Inspect the lsp-bridge Logs:

If you have lsp-bridge-enable-log set to t, then check the lsp-bridge logs (usually in the lsp-bridge buffer) for any errors or warnings. These logs often provide valuable clues about what's going wrong. You should be able to see the issues that are occurring and then you can take the necessary actions.

4. Test in a Simple Scenario:

Create a very simple Org file with two source blocks: one where you define a variable or function, and another where you try to use it. This helps isolate the problem. If it works in a simplified scenario, then the issue might be with the complexity of your actual file or how the code is structured. Using a simple scenario is often the best way to get a good understanding of what is going on. Then, we can check each of the items and compare.

Configuration Tweaks to Try

Alright, now let's get into some specific configuration tweaks and strategies that you can try to get those autocompletions working across your blocks. Make sure you follow each of these items carefully, as they all could contribute to the issues. We will start with a few items to try, and hopefully, this will fix the problems.

1. Ensure Proper Session Management:

When using :session in your org-babel blocks (which you are), it's important to make sure the sessions are properly managed. Check that the sessions are correctly initialized and that they are persisting across blocks. Try restarting your Emacs and re-evaluating the source blocks to ensure the sessions are correctly initialized. This is a common issue, and if not done correctly, then there are issues.

2. Explicitly Include Code Blocks:

While lsp-bridge should automatically detect code, sometimes explicitly including the source blocks might help. You could try adding a comment at the top of your Org file or within each block that references the other blocks. For example:

#+begin_src jupyter-python :session py :async yes
# Referenced in block below
variable = 10
#+end_src

#+begin_src jupyter-python :session py :async yes
print(variable)  # Autocomplete should work here
#+end_src

3. Update lsp-bridge and Language Servers:

Make sure you are running the latest versions of lsp-bridge and your language servers (pylsp for Python, ess-r for R). Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve compatibility issues. Outdated versions can be the source of issues that are hard to diagnose. You should update all of the configurations, and try to resolve the issues. This might fix the problems that you are having.

4. Check for File-Specific Configurations:

Sometimes, your Org file might have file-specific configurations that interfere with lsp-bridge. Check for any local variables or settings that might be overriding the global settings. You can do this by opening the Org file and using M-x describe-variable and entering org-src-lang-modes. Ensure that the org-src-lang-modes settings are correct for the file. This can often be the source of issues.

Advanced Techniques and Workarounds

If the above steps don't fix the issue, let's look at some more advanced techniques and workarounds. These are a bit more involved, but they can often provide the solution. Make sure you read through each of these items, and try to fix the problems with the current configurations. These will help you get those autocompletions working as expected, and can often resolve the issue.

1. Custom LSP Configuration:

You might need to configure your language servers to handle multiple files or workspaces. For example, in your pylsp configuration, you may need to specify the workspace folders to include all the relevant directories. This can be done by creating a .pylsp.cfg or similar file in your project directory. This configuration may include settings that will fix the problem.

2. Manual Indexing (If Necessary):

In some cases, the language server might not be indexing your files correctly. You could try manually triggering an index or restart the language server. How to do this depends on the specific language server, but often there's a command you can run in Emacs. Check the documentation for your language servers. This process may vary depending on the specific configuration.

3. Use a Different LSP Client (Experiment):

As a test, try using a different LSP client (like eglot) to see if the issue is with lsp-bridge. This can help determine whether the problem lies with the client or the language server. Although it is less likely that the client will be the source of issues, this is always a good idea. Then you can see the difference, and which is better.

4. Consider Org-Babel Evaluation Order:

Org-babel evaluates code blocks in a specific order. Ensure the code blocks where variables are defined are evaluated before the blocks where you are trying to use autocompletion. You can manually evaluate the blocks in order to ensure this. This can be a source of issues, and then you can just correct the code.

Community Resources and Further Help

If you're still stuck, don't worry, there are plenty of resources available. Let's look at some of the resources that can help us resolve the issues.

  • Emacs Community: Check out the Emacs Stack Exchange and Reddit (r/emacs). There's a vibrant community that can offer assistance. They can often provide the solutions you need. This is a good resource to use.
  • lsp-bridge Documentation: Refer to the official lsp-bridge documentation and the documentation for your specific language servers. The documentation often contains solutions to resolve the issues.
  • Language Server Documentation: The documentation for your specific language servers (pylsp, ess-r, etc.) can provide troubleshooting steps and configuration options. Be sure to check this documentation.

Conclusion: Getting Your Autocompletions Working

So there you have it, guys. Troubleshooting org-babel and lsp-bridge autocompletions across blocks can be a bit tricky, but with the right steps, you should be able to get everything working as expected. Remember to start with the basics, check your configurations, and then dive into the more advanced techniques if needed. If you are having issues, be sure to follow each of the steps to ensure it is working properly.

Happy coding, and let me know if you have any other questions. We are all here to help each other out, so don't be afraid to ask for assistance. I hope this helps you resolve the issues, and get the autocompletions working properly. Now, go forth and conquer those code blocks!