Code Blocks

Code blocks allow you to write, display, and run code directly inside your document.

Code blocks behave as independent blocks. They preserve formatting, support syntax highlighting, and can execute code.

Creating a code block

Open the right sidebar.

Click the Add Code Block icon:

A new code block will be inserted.

If the current line already contains text, the code block is created on the next line.

Writing code

You can type or paste code directly into the block.

print("Hello, world!")

Code is stored exactly as written. Math symbols remain plain text.

a = 5
b = 3

result = a + b

print(result)

Syntax highlighting

Code blocks automatically highlight syntax. You can select the programming language from the Code panel (it appears when you click inside the code block):

Code in Python:

for i in range(5):
    print(i)

Code JavaScript:

const numbers = [1, 2, 3];

numbers.forEach(n => {
  console.log(n);
});

The selected language determines highlighting behavior.

Navigation inside a code block

Navigation stays inside the block until you exit.

Exiting a code block

Multiple code blocks

Documents can contain multiple code blocks. Each block runs independently.

Installing packages

You can install libraries inside the document environment.

For example:

pip install numpy

Installed packages remain available in the current document.

Running your code

Code blocks are executable. Use the status bar above the code area to run and monitor your code.

Click Run all to execute every code block in the document. The session indicator shows the kernel state as it starts up: grey when idle, pulsing yellow while starting, and green when ready. Output appears directly beneath each block and can include text, tables, images, audio, and video.

Output is saved with the document and reloads when you reopen it, so you see results before re-running. On a shared document, output syncs live to everyone.

Installing libraries

Import any supported package in your code and Corca installs it into the document's environment on first run. Installed packages persist across sessions, so you don't reinstall them each time. Because every document has its own isolated environment, variables and installed packages never leak between documents.

Monitoring resources

Hover the chip icon in the status bar to see live CPU and memory usage for the current session. Stop the kernel from the status bar's menu when you're finished.

Appearance

You can set the font size of a code block from 12 to 20px; the size is saved per document. You can also choose a code theme — Light, Dark, or Default (follow system) — from the code theme switcher. The theme is a personal preference applied to all your code blocks and synced across your browser windows.

Letting the AI write and run code

Ask the AI Helper to write code for a task. It can insert a code block, run it, and install any libraries it needs, then explain the result. See AI Helper.