diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3f365bc04..52a4ed768 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ Open it searching for "Show diagnostics panel" in JupyterLab commands palette or
 
 Either:
 
-- JupyterLab >=2,<3.0.0a0
+- JupyterLab >=2.1.0,<3.0.0a0
 
 And:
 
@@ -99,9 +99,9 @@ Use of a python `virtualenv` or a conda env is also recommended.
 1. install JupyterLab
 
    ```bash
-   conda install -c conda-forge 'jupyterlab>=2,<2.1.0a0'
+   conda install -c conda-forge 'jupyterlab>=2.1,<3.0.0a0'
    # or
-   pip install 'jupyterlab>=2,<2.1.0a0'
+   pip install 'jupyterlab>=2.1,<3.0.0a0'
    ```
 
 1. install the server extension:
diff --git a/binder/environment.yml b/binder/environment.yml
index ad84ddb87..c119e143c 100644
--- a/binder/environment.yml
+++ b/binder/environment.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ channels:
 dependencies:
   # runtime dependencies
   - python >=3.7,<3.8.0a0
-  - jupyterlab >=2,<3.0.0a0
+  - jupyterlab >=2.1.0,<3.0.0a0
   - notebook >=4.3.1
   # build dependencies
   - nodejs >=10,<14
diff --git a/ci/job.test.yml b/ci/job.test.yml
index e12289aaf..ad26b6f61 100644
--- a/ci/job.test.yml
+++ b/ci/job.test.yml
@@ -12,15 +12,15 @@ parameters:
   pythons:
     - name: ThreeSix
       spec: '=3.6'
-      lab: '>=2,<3.0.0a0'
+      lab: '>=2.1.0,<3.0.0a0'
       nodejs: '>=10,<11.0.0.a0'
     - name: ThreeSeven
       spec: '=3.7'
-      lab: '>=2,<3.0.0a0'
+      lab: '>=2.1.0,<3.0.0a0'
       nodejs: '>=12,<13.0.0a0'
     - name: ThreeEight
       spec: '=3.8'
-      lab: '>=2,<3.0.0a0'
+      lab: '>=2.1.0,<3.0.0a0'
       nodejs: '>=13,<14.0.0a0'
   js_cov_packages:
     - jupyterlab-go-to-definition
diff --git a/docs/Installation.ipynb b/docs/Installation.ipynb
index 7cc44e48d..0ed33e253 100644
--- a/docs/Installation.ipynb
+++ b/docs/Installation.ipynb
@@ -1,5 +1,25 @@
 {
  "cells": [
+  {
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {
+    "hide_input": true
+   },
+   "outputs": [],
+   "source": [
+    "from markdown import markdown\n",
+    "import sys\n",
+    "sys.path.insert(0, '..')\n",
+    "from versions import (\n",
+    "    JUPYTER_LSP_VERSION,\n",
+    "    JUPYTERLAB_LSP_VERSION,\n",
+    "    JUPYTERLAB_NEXT_MAJOR_VERSION,\n",
+    "    JUPYTERLAB_VERSION,\n",
+    "    REQUIRED_JUPYTERLAB\n",
+    ")"
+   ]
+  },
   {
    "cell_type": "markdown",
    "metadata": {},
@@ -8,9 +28,14 @@
    ]
   },
   {
-   "cell_type": "markdown",
-   "metadata": {},
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {
+    "hide_input": true
+   },
+   "outputs": [],
    "source": [
+    "%%markdown\n",
     "### Please Read This First\n",
     "\n",
     "Delivering LSP features to your JupyterLab **requires** three pieces:\n",
@@ -28,7 +53,7 @@
     "- runs in your browser, as an extension to JupyterLab\n",
     "- to install it, you need:\n",
     "  - `nodejs >8`\n",
-    "  - `jupyterlab >=1.1,<2`\n",
+    "  - `jupyterlab {REQUIRED_JUPYTERLAB}`\n",
     "\n",
     "#### Language Servers\n",
     "\n",
@@ -49,17 +74,22 @@
    ]
   },
   {
-   "cell_type": "markdown",
-   "metadata": {},
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {
+    "hide_input": true
+   },
+   "outputs": [],
    "source": [
+    "%%markdown\n",
     "#### conda (minimal python)\n",
     "\n",
     "```bash\n",
-    "conda create -c conda-forge -n lsp 'python >=3.7,<3.8' 'jupyterlab=1.2' 'nodejs>8' python-language-server\n",
+    "conda create -c conda-forge -n lsp 'python >=3.7,<3.8' 'jupyterlab={JUPYTERLAB_VERSION}' 'nodejs>8' python-language-server\n",
     "# Also consider: r-languageserver [*]\n",
     "source activate lsp\n",
-    "python -m pip install 'jupyter-lsp=0.8.0' --no-deps\n",
-    "jupyter labextension install '@krassowski/jupyterlab-lsp@1.0.0'\n",
+    "python -m pip install 'jupyter-lsp={JUPYTER_LSP_VERSION}' --no-deps\n",
+    "jupyter labextension install '@krassowski/jupyterlab-lsp@{JUPYTERLAB_LSP_VERSION}'\n",
     "```\n",
     "\n",
     "Then run\n",
@@ -84,9 +114,14 @@
    ]
   },
   {
-   "cell_type": "markdown",
-   "metadata": {},
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {
+    "hide_input": true
+   },
+   "outputs": [],
    "source": [
+    "%%markdown\n",
     "##### `Dockerfile`\n",
     "\n",
     "```dockerfile\n",
@@ -95,12 +130,12 @@
     "\n",
     "RUN conda install --quiet --yes --freeze-installed \\\n",
     "    'python-language-server' \\\n",
-    "    'jupyterlab=2' \\\n",
+    "    'jupyterlab=2.1' \\\n",
     "    'r-languageserver' \\\n",
     "  && python3 -m pip install --no-cache-dir --no-deps \\\n",
-    "    'jupyter-lsp=0.8.0' \\\n",
+    "    'jupyter-lsp={JUPYTER_LSP_VERSION}' \\\n",
     "  && jupyter labextension install --no-build \\\n",
-    "    '@krassowski/jupyterlab-lsp@1.0.0' \\\n",
+    "    '@krassowski/jupyterlab-lsp@{JUPYTERLAB_LSP_VERSION}' \\\n",
     "  && jupyter lab build --dev-build=False --minimize=True \\\n",
     "  && conda clean --all -f -y \\\n",
     "  && rm -rf \\\n",
@@ -202,14 +237,19 @@
    ]
   },
   {
-   "cell_type": "markdown",
-   "metadata": {},
+   "cell_type": "code",
+   "execution_count": null,
+   "metadata": {
+    "hide_input": true
+   },
+   "outputs": [],
    "source": [
+    "%%markdown\n",
     "#### Install Jupyter[Lab] LSP\n",
     "\n",
     "```bash\n",
-    "pip install jupyter-lsp=0.8.0\n",
-    "jupyter labextension install @krassowski/jupyterlab-lsp@1.0.0\n",
+    "pip install jupyter-lsp={JUPYTER_LSP_VERSION}\n",
+    "jupyter labextension install @krassowski/jupyterlab-lsp@{JUPYTERLAB_LSP_VERSION}\n",
     "```"
    ]
   },
@@ -245,7 +285,7 @@
    "name": "python",
    "nbconvert_exporter": "python",
    "pygments_lexer": "ipython3",
-   "version": "3.7.6"
+   "version": "3.7.5"
   }
  },
  "nbformat": 4,
diff --git a/docs/Releasing.ipynb b/docs/Releasing.ipynb
index 7af47677a..0f21cc4fd 100644
--- a/docs/Releasing.ipynb
+++ b/docs/Releasing.ipynb
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
     "- TODO: create a `release.py` script\n",
     "  [#88](https://github.com/krassowski/jupyterlab-lsp/issues/88)\n",
     "\n",
-    "The PyPI version must be updated in the following places:\n",
+    "The PyPI version (jupyter-lsp) must be updated in the following places:\n",
     "\n",
     "- `py_src/jupyter_lsp/_version.py` (canonical)\n",
     "- `azure-pipelines.yml`\n",
@@ -33,17 +33,25 @@
     "\n",
     "The npm version of `jupyterlab-lsp` must be updated in the following places:\n",
     "\n",
-    "- `packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json` (canonical)\n",
+    "- `packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json` > `version` (canonical)\n",
     "- `azure-pipelines.yml`\n",
     "- `packages/metapackage/package.json`\n",
     "- `CHANGELOG.md`\n",
     "\n",
     "The npm version of `lsp-ws-connection` must be updated in the following places:\n",
     "\n",
-    "- `packages/lsp-ws-connection/package.json` (canonical)\n",
+    "- `packages/lsp-ws-connection/package.json` > `version` (canonical)\n",
     "- `packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json`\n",
     "- `CHANGELOG.md`\n",
     "\n",
+    "The JupyterLab version (if a newer is supported or required) needs to be updated\n",
+    "in:\n",
+    "\n",
+    "- `packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json` > `devDependencies` >\n",
+    "  `@jupyterlab/application` (canonical)\n",
+    "- `binder/environment.yml`\n",
+    "- `README.md`\n",
+    "\n",
     "### Releasing:\n",
     "\n",
     "```bash\n",
@@ -74,7 +82,7 @@
    "name": "python",
    "nbconvert_exporter": "python",
    "pygments_lexer": "ipython3",
-   "version": "3.8.0"
+   "version": "3.7.5"
   }
  },
  "nbformat": 4,
diff --git a/docs/__init__.py b/docs/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/docs/markdown.py b/docs/markdown.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a07650075
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/markdown.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+from IPython.core.magic import needs_local_scope, register_cell_magic
+from IPython.display import Markdown
+
+
+@register_cell_magic
+@needs_local_scope
+def markdown(line, cell, local_ns):
+    """Cell interpreted as Markdown but with variable substitution support.
+
+    Variables from global environment will be substituted using the standard
+    Python format mechanism which uses single curly braces (e.g. {variable})
+    """
+    return Markdown(cell.format(**local_ns))
diff --git a/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json b/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json
index 98f78757d..1faac034f 100644
--- a/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json
+++ b/packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@babel/preset-env": "^7.4.3",
-    "@jupyterlab/application": "~2.0.0",
+    "@jupyterlab/application": "~2.1.0",
     "@jupyterlab/apputils": "~2.0.0",
     "@jupyterlab/cells": "~2.0.0",
     "@jupyterlab/codeeditor": "~2.0.0",
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
     "typescript": "~3.9.5"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
-    "@jupyterlab/application": "~2.0.0",
+    "@jupyterlab/application": "~2.1.0",
     "@jupyterlab/apputils": "~2.0.0",
     "@jupyterlab/cells": "~2.0.0",
     "@jupyterlab/codeeditor": "~2.0.0",
diff --git a/requirements/lab.txt b/requirements/lab.txt
index 4f1a8a976..f977c4b5a 100644
--- a/requirements/lab.txt
+++ b/requirements/lab.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 # the version of jupyterlab
 -r ./prod.txt
-jupyterlab >=2,<3.0.0a0
+jupyterlab >=2.1.0,<3.0.0a0
diff --git a/scripts/integrity.py b/scripts/integrity.py
index 899f67f46..62cd9bb7e 100644
--- a/scripts/integrity.py
+++ b/scripts/integrity.py
@@ -6,13 +6,14 @@
 
 import json
 import pathlib
-import re
 import sys
 import tempfile
 from importlib.util import find_spec
 
 import jsonschema
+import nbformat
 import pytest
+from nbconvert.preprocessors import ExecutePreprocessor
 
 try:
     import ruamel.yaml as yaml
@@ -20,6 +21,17 @@
     import ruamel_yaml as yaml
 
 ROOT = pathlib.Path.cwd()
+
+sys.path.insert(0, str(ROOT))
+
+if True:
+    # a workaround for isort 4.0 limitations
+    # see https://github.com/timothycrosley/isort/issues/468
+    from versions import (  # noqa
+        REQUIRED_JUPYTERLAB as LAB_SPEC,
+        JUPYTER_LSP_VERSION as PY_VERSION,
+    )
+
 REQS = ROOT / "requirements"
 BINDER = ROOT / "binder"
 
@@ -27,14 +39,6 @@
 MAIN_README = ROOT / "README.md"
 CHANGELOG = ROOT / "CHANGELOG.md"
 
-# dependencies
-ENV = yaml.safe_load((BINDER / "environment.yml").read_text())
-LAB_SPEC = [
-    d.split(" ", 1)[1]
-    for d in ENV["dependencies"]
-    if isinstance(d, str) and d.startswith("jupyterlab ")
-][0]
-
 # TS stuff
 NPM_NS = "@krassowski"
 PACKAGES = {
@@ -55,8 +59,7 @@
 
 # py stuff
 PY_NAME = "jupyter-lsp"
-_VERSION_PY = ROOT / "py_src" / "jupyter_lsp" / "_version.py"
-PY_VERSION = re.findall(r'= "(.*)"$', (_VERSION_PY).read_text())[0]
+
 
 # CI stuff
 PIPE_FILE = ROOT / "azure-pipelines.yml"
@@ -87,9 +90,16 @@ def the_meta_package():
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="module")
 def the_installation_notebook():
-    """ loads up the installation notebook
+    """ executes and loads up the installation notebook
     """
-    return (DOCS / "Installation.ipynb").read_text()
+    with open(DOCS / "Installation.ipynb") as f:
+        installation_nb = nbformat.read(f, as_version=4)
+    executor = ExecutePreprocessor(timeout=600)
+
+    # modifies notebook in-place
+    executor.preprocess(installation_nb, {"metadata": {"path": DOCS}})
+
+    return nbformat.writes(installation_nb)
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
@@ -138,7 +148,16 @@ def test_ts_package_integrity(name, info, the_meta_package):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "path", map(str, [REQS / "lab.txt", CI / "job.test.yml", MAIN_README])
+    "path",
+    map(
+        str,
+        [
+            REQS / "lab.txt",
+            CI / "job.test.yml",
+            MAIN_README,
+            BINDER / "environment.yml",
+        ],
+    ),
 )
 def test_jlab_versions(path):
     """ is the version of jupyterlab consistent?
diff --git a/versions.py b/versions.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9db8b1d86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/versions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+from re import findall
+
+ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent
+
+
+_VERSION_PY = ROOT / "py_src" / "jupyter_lsp" / "_version.py"
+JUPYTER_LSP_VERSION = findall(r'= "(.*)"$', (_VERSION_PY).read_text())[0]
+
+with open(ROOT / "packages/jupyterlab-lsp/package.json") as f:
+    jupyterlab_lsp_package = json.load(f)
+
+JUPYTERLAB_LSP_VERSION = jupyterlab_lsp_package['version']
+JUPYTERLAB_VERSION = (
+    jupyterlab_lsp_package
+    ['devDependencies']
+    ['@jupyterlab/application']
+    .lstrip('~^')
+)
+JUPYTERLAB_NEXT_MAJOR_VERSION = int(JUPYTERLAB_VERSION.split('.')[0]) + 1
+REQUIRED_JUPYTERLAB = f'>={JUPYTERLAB_VERSION},<{JUPYTERLAB_NEXT_MAJOR_VERSION}.0.0a0'