AWS Cloud9
Cloud IDE to write, run, and debug code in the browser
code-server
Run VS Code in any browser, powered by your own server
Access a full VS Code experience from any device via the browser, leveraging remote servers for heavy tasks, preserving battery, and enabling consistent development environments.
Overview
Overview
code-server delivers the complete VS Code UI through a web browser, letting developers work from laptops, tablets, or any device with internet access. Heavy operations such as builds, tests, and downloads run on a remote Linux server, keeping local resources free and extending battery life.
Deployment & Usage
Installation is streamlined via an automated script, package managers, or one‑click cloud templates for major providers. Advanced teams can manage multiple instances with Coder, and developers familiar with devcontainers can enable the built‑in feature to develop inside containerized environments directly from the browser.
Who Benefits
Ideal for remote workers, low‑spec hardware users, and organizations seeking a uniform, centrally managed development environment. The solution requires a continuously running server and reliable network connectivity, but offers a flexible, extensible IDE experience without sacrificing the power of VS Code extensions.
Highlights
Full VS Code UI accessible through any modern browser
Compute‑intensive tasks run on a remote server, preserving local resources
Simple installation via script, package manager, or one‑click cloud templates
Native support for devcontainers and Coder team management
Pros
- Consistent development environment across devices
- Offloads heavy builds, tests, and downloads to server
- Works on low‑power laptops and tablets
- Extensible via VS Code extensions and Coder integrations
Considerations
- Requires a continuously running server (cost/maintenance)
- Dependent on network latency for responsive editing
- Initial setup may be complex for non‑technical users
- Browser security policies can affect extensions needing local binaries
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Fit guide
Great for
- Remote workers needing a stable IDE on any device
- Teams that want a shared, centrally managed development environment
- Developers with low‑spec hardware who need server‑side compute
- Projects already using devcontainers or Coder for orchestration
Not ideal when
- Environments with strict firewall rules blocking WebSockets
- Users who prefer fully offline IDEs
- Scenarios where latency‑sensitive coding is critical
- Organizations without capacity to maintain a dedicated server
How teams use it
On‑the‑go coding on a tablet
Run full VS Code in the browser, preserving battery while the server handles compilation.
CI/CD pipeline testing
Spin up code‑server on a cloud VM to run integration tests with the same IDE configuration as developers.
Team-wide development environment
Deploy code‑server via Coder to provide a uniform workspace, simplifying onboarding and extension management.
Devcontainer development
Leverage the code‑server feature in devcontainers to develop inside containerized environments directly from the browser.
Tech snapshot
TypeScript81%
Shell15%
HTML1%
CSS1%
HCL1%
JavaScript1%
Frequently asked questions
What operating system does code‑server run on?
It runs on any Linux distribution with WebSockets support, at least 1 GB RAM and 2 vCPUs.
How is code‑server installed?
You can use the provided install script, package managers, manual download, or one‑click cloud deployment templates.
Can I use my existing VS Code extensions?
Yes, most extensions work unchanged; they are installed in the server‑side VS Code instance.
Is data stored locally on the client?
All files and extensions reside on the remote server; the browser only streams the UI.
How do I secure access to my code‑server instance?
Configure HTTPS, use password or token authentication, and optionally place it behind a reverse proxy or VPN.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 75,887
- Watchers
- 75,887
- Forks
- 6,460
LicenseMIT
Repo age6 years old
Last commit5 days ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced yesterday