_notebook-kernel-selection.qmd

### Selecting a notebook kernel

When you first open a Jupyter Notebook, Positron starts a notebook session and automatically selects an interpreter based on the notebook's language, the current workspace, and your configuration. The interpreter used by the notebook is visible in the **Kernel Selector** in the notebook editor action bar.

Each notebook session belongs to one notebook editor. Closing the notebook editor shuts down the session.

When a notebook session is active, the [Interpreter picker](./managing-interpreters.qmd#change-the-active-interpreter-session) shows the notebook filename. This signals that a notebook, not a console, is currently active. To see the runtime backing the notebook, check the **Kernel Selector** in the notebook editor action bar.