Whybook

Whybook is an open-source JupyterLab extension that lets users question data and view choices behind answers.

Whybook is an open-source JupyterLab extension designed for data analysis without a chat box. Users point at a column, plot, or value, and then pick from template questions or type their own. The extension writes and runs the cell while showing every choice behind the result. Any standard Jupyter notebook opens in Whybook and remains an ordinary notebook. Initial questions come instantly from templates without a model call or data transfer, while a connected model adds more choices shortly after. Branches run in parallel in kernel subshells to test different approaches like descriptive tests or causal models.

Whybook at a glance

Best for: Software engineer, Researcher
Runs on: Web
Pricing: Free
Released: October 2026
Category: AI research tool
Website: whybook.dev

Key features

Open-source JupyterLab extension
Question-driven data exploration interface
Template-based initial questions without model calls
Parallel branch execution in kernel subshells
In-place model covariate editing
Support for ordinary Jupyter notebook files

Use it for

Question data points without using a chat box
Run parallel analysis branches in kernel subshells
Test associations and plot variables directly from cells
Add covariates and refit statistical models in place

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