conda stuck on Proceed ([y]/n)? when updating packages in ipython console

Question

I just downloaded Anaconda 4.2.0 (with python 3.5.2) for Mac OS X. Whenever I try to update any packages etc, my ipython console presents the package dependencies and displays "Proceed ([y]/n)?" but does not take any inputs. E.g. I press enter, or y-enter etc. and nothing happens. Here's an example:

!conda create -n graphlab-env python=2.7 anaconda
Fetching package metadata .......
Solving package specifications: ..........

Package plan for installation in environment /Users/Abhijit/anaconda/envs/graphlab-env:

The following packages will be downloaded:

    package                    |            build
    ---------------------------|-----------------
    python-2.7.12              |                1         9.5 MB
    _license-1.1               |           py27_1          80 KB
    alabaster-0.7.9            |           py27_0          11 KB
    anaconda-clean-1.0.0       |           py27_0           3 KB
.
.
.
    nbpresent-3.0.2            |           py27_0         463 KB
    anaconda-4.2.0             |      np111py27_0           6 KB
    ------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Total:       143.9 MB

The following NEW packages will be INSTALLED:

    _license:           1.1-py27_1         
    _nb_ext_conf:       0.3.0-py27_0       
    alabaster:          0.7.9-py27_0       
    anaconda:           4.2.0-np111py27_0  
    anaconda-clean:     1.0.0-py27_0       
.
.
.
    yaml:               0.1.6-0            
    zlib:               1.2.8-3            

Proceed ([y]/n)? 

It won't respond after this step. When I enter 'Ctrl-C' it breaks out of this loop. I have tried Shift-Enter, Alt-Enter, Ctrl-Enter, Cmd-Enter etc but no luck. Tearing my hair out over this. Am I missing something?

Answer 1

You can launch shell commands with the ! operator in ipython, but you can't interact with them after the process has launched.

Therefore, you could:

1. execute your conda command outside of your ipython session (IOW, a normal shell); or
2. pass the --yes flag. e.g.:

!conda create -n graphlab-env python=2.7 anaconda -y