AWS Cloud9
Cloud IDE to write, run, and debug code in the browser
OpenVSCode Server
Run VS Code in the browser via a lightweight server
OpenVSCode Server runs VS Code as a remote web‑based IDE, deployable with a single Docker command, supporting custom extensions, token security, and easy browser access.
Overview
Overview
OpenVSCode Server transforms the popular Visual Studio Code editor into a server‑side application that can be reached from any modern web browser. It targets developers, teams, and educators who need a consistent, zero‑install development environment across different devices or remote locations.
Features & Deployment
The project ships a ready‑to‑use Docker image (gitpod/openvscode-server) that starts with a single docker run command, exposing the IDE on port 3000. You can customize the image to install additional system packages or pre‑install VS Code extensions via a Dockerfile. Security is handled through optional connection‑token flags, allowing simple token‑based authentication without a full OAuth stack. The server respects upstream VS Code releases, so you benefit from the latest editor features automatically.
Getting Started
For Linux users, a tarball release can be extracted and launched directly with ./bin/openvscode-server. Detailed deployment guides for major cloud providers are available in the repository’s docs. The project is community‑driven and supported by companies such as GitLab, VMware, and SAP.
Highlights
Runs VS Code as a remote server accessible via any modern browser
One‑command Docker startup with optional custom image extensions
Token‑based authentication for secure, password‑less access
Supports pre‑installing VS Code extensions and custom environments
Pros
- Zero‑install client – just a web browser
- Automatically receives upstream VS Code updates
- Simple Docker deployment and portable image
- Works with existing VS Code extensions
Considerations
- Requires server resources (CPU and RAM) to run
- Limited to features supported in server mode
- Authentication is token‑based, no built‑in SSO
- Performance depends on network latency
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Fit guide
Great for
- Developers needing a consistent remote IDE across machines
- Teams that want to share a development environment via browser
- CI/CD pipelines that require an interactive editor
- Educators providing browser‑based coding labs
Not ideal when
- Heavy GPU‑intensive workloads
- Users requiring native OS integration like system tray
- Environments with strict compliance needing SSO
- Low‑resource devices unable to host a server
How teams use it
Remote pair programming
Both participants open the same browser URL, edit code in real time without installing VS Code locally.
Self‑hosted development environment
Run the Docker image on a personal server, access the IDE from any device, and keep extensions pre‑installed.
Temporary coding sandbox for workshops
Spin up a container per participant, pre‑load language extensions, and secure access with a token.
Integrate IDE into CI pipelines
Launch the server during a build to run interactive debugging or code reviews via the web UI.
Tech snapshot
TypeScript95%
CSS1%
JavaScript1%
Rust1%
HTML1%
Inno Setup1%
Frequently asked questions
How do I start OpenVSCode Server?
Use the Docker command `docker run -it --init -p 3000:3000 -v "$(pwd):/home/workspace:cached" gitpod/openvscode-server` or extract the tarball on Linux and run `./bin/openvscode-server`.
Is authentication required?
By default the server is open, but you can enable token authentication with `--connection-token YOUR_TOKEN` or `--connection-token-file FILE` for basic security.
Can I add custom extensions?
Yes, you can pre‑install extensions in a custom Dockerfile or install them at runtime using the `openvscode-server --install-extension` CLI.
What resources does the server need?
Minimum recommended resources are 4 CPU cores and 6 GB RAM; 8 GB RAM is recommended for a full build experience.
Is this project affiliated with Microsoft?
No, OpenVSCode Server is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 5,810
- Watchers
- 5,810
- Forks
- 540
LicenseMIT
Repo age5 years old
Last commitlast month
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 4 hours ago