Visual Studio Code (VSCode) has become one of the most popular code editors due to its extensive features and capabilities. One such feature is the ability to use DevContainers, which allows developers to define their development environment as code. This blog post will guide you through the process of setting up a DevContainer in VSCode.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you have the following installed on your system:

  • Visual Studio Code
  • Docker Desktop

Step 1: Install the Remote Development Extension Pack

The first step is to install the Remote Development Extension Pack in VSCode. This extension pack includes three extensions:

  • Remote - WSL
  • Remote - SSH
  • Remote - Containers

To install the extension pack, open VSCode and navigate to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window. In the Extensions view search bar, type Remote Development and install the extension pack by Microsoft.

Step 2: Add a DevContainer Configuration File

The next step is to add a DevContainer configuration file to your project. This file, named devcontainer.json, defines the configuration for your development container.

To add a devcontainer.json file:

  1. Open your project in VSCode.
  2. Press F1 to open the command palette.
  3. Type Remote-Containers: Add Development Container Configuration Files... and select the command.
  4. Choose a predefined configuration that matches the development environment you want.

Step 3: Open Your Project in a DevContainer

Now that you have a devcontainer.json file in your project, you can open your project in a DevContainer.

To do this:

  1. Press F1 to open the command palette.
  2. Type Remote-Containers: Reopen in Container and select the command.

VSCode will start building the DevContainer. This may take a few minutes the first time as it needs to download the Docker image. Once the build is complete, VSCode will reload and your project will be open inside the DevContainer.

Done!

And that’s it! You’ve successfully set up a DevContainer in VSCode. Now you can enjoy a consistent and reproducible development environment that can be shared with your team. Happy coding!

Remember, the power of DevContainers lies in their flexibility. You can customize your devcontainer.json file to create the perfect development environment for your project. So don’t be afraid to explore and experiment!