vscode-server-base

A flexible Docker image based on Ubuntu 22.04 that runs VS Code Server, providing a browser-based development environment. This image includes essential development tools and can be used either directly or as a base for custom development environments.

Features

• Based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
• Runs VS Code Server with secure HTTPS (self-signed certificates)
• Configurable at runtime via environment variables
• Pre-installed development tools:
  • Git
  • curl
  • wget
  • build-essential
  • vim
  • nano
  • zsh
  • net-tools
  • sudo access for the created user

Quick Start

Using Docker Run

docker run -d \
  -e USERNAME=myuser \
  -e PORT=8443 \
  -e PASSWORD=mysecurepassword \
  -p 8443:8443 \
  -v /host/path:/home/myuser \
  dereckmezquita/vscode-server-base:latest

Using Docker Compose

1. Create a docker-compose.yml file:

services:
  vscode-server:
    image: dereckmezquita/vscode-server-base:latest
    container_name: vscode-server
    environment:
      USERNAME: ${USERNAME}
      PORT: ${PORT}
      PASSWORD: ${PASSWORD}
    ports:
      - "${PORT}:${PORT}"
    volumes:
      - ${HOST_VOLUME}:/home/${USERNAME}:rw
    restart: unless-stopped

2. Create a .env file:

USERNAME=myuser
PORT=8443
PASSWORD=mysecurepassword
HOST_VOLUME=/path/to/your/workspace

3. Start the container:

docker compose up -d

Required Environment Variables

Variable	Description	Example
USERNAME	User to be created in the container	myuser
PORT	Port for VS Code Server to listen on	8443
PASSWORD	Password for accessing VS Code Server	mysecurepassword

Using as a Base Image

You can use this image as a base for your custom development environment:

FROM dereckmezquita/vscode-server-base:latest

# Add your custom installations
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
    python3 \
    nodejs \
    npm

# Add any additional configuration
COPY my-settings.json /default-settings.json

# Environment variables can still be set when running containers
# based on this derived image

Volume Mounting

To persist your workspace and VS Code settings, mount a volume to the user's home directory:

-v /host/path:/home/myuser

This will persist:

• Your workspace files
• VS Code settings
• VS Code extensions
• Command history

Security Notes

1. The image generates self-signed SSL certificates for HTTPS
2. Password authentication is required
3. The created user has sudo privileges (required for some VS Code extensions)
4. Sensitive information should be passed via environment variables, not built into derived images

Contributing

Feel free to open issues or submit pull requests at [GitHub Repository URL].

License

MIT License

Acknowledgments

Based on the official VS Code Server implementation and the Ubuntu Docker image.