shell_plus and Better Tooling
Speed up shell work with django-extensions.
shell_plus and Better Tooling is a free Django Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Django Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
The Tedious Part
The default shell makes you import every model by hand each session. That repetition gets old fast on real projects.
Meet shell_plus
shell_plus is an upgraded shell from the django-extensions package. It auto-imports your models and common helpers for you.
Install the Package
First add the tool with pip. django-extensions bundles shell_plus along with many other handy commands.
pip install django-extensionsRegister It in Settings
Next add it to INSTALLED_APPS so Django loads the new commands. Without this step the shell_plus command stays hidden.
INSTALLED_APPS = [
"django_extensions",
]Launch shell_plus
Now start it through manage.py just like the regular shell. On startup it prints every model it imported for you.
python manage.py shell_plusModels Are Just There
No imports needed: Post, Comment, and the rest are ready instantly. You jump straight into querying your data.
>>> Post.objects.count()See the SQL It Runs
Add the print-sql flag to echo the SQL behind each query. It is a great way to learn what the ORM generates.
python manage.py shell_plus --print-sqlNicer with IPython
If IPython is installed, shell_plus uses it automatically. You get syntax colors, tab completion, and command history.
pip install ipythonTab Completion Saves Time
With IPython you press Tab to autocomplete model and method names. Less typing means fewer mistakes while you explore.
More Than a Shell
django-extensions also adds tools like graph_models to draw your schema. shell_plus is just the most loved one.
Keep It Dev-Only
These extras are development helpers. Put them in your dev requirements so they do not ship to production servers.
Quick Check
What is the main perk of shell_plus?
Recap
You installed django-extensions, launched shell_plus with auto-imported models, viewed SQL, and added IPython for a smoother session. 🚀
Frequently asked questions
Is the “shell_plus and Better Tooling” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “shell_plus and Better Tooling” is free to read here on the web, and the Django Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Django Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “shell_plus and Better Tooling”?
Speed up shell work with django-extensions. You practise Django Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Django Academy?
No prior experience is required. Django Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “shell_plus and Better Tooling” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Django Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Django Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Launching python manage.py shell
- Importing and Inspecting Models
- Creating and Saving Objects Live
- shell_plus and Better Tooling