Unlock the Power of Remote Development with code-server

In the fast-paced world of software development, flexibility and efficiency are paramount. Enter code-server, an innovative tool that allows you to run Visual Studio Code (VS Code) in your browser, bringing a seamless and consistent development environment to any device, anywhere.

Whether you’re working on a powerful desktop, a modest laptop, or even a tablet (pls don’t!), code-server ensures you have access to your development environment at all times. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes code-server a game-changer.

What is code-server ?

code-server is an open-source project that enables you to run VS Code on a remote server and access it via your web browser. This means you can:

• Work on any device with an internet connection.

• Leverage the power of cloud servers to handle resource-intensive tasks.

• Maintain a consistent development environment across devices.

With over 69.2k stars on GitHub, code-server has gained significant traction among developers, teams, and organizations looking for efficient remote development solutions.

Why would you use code-server ?

1. Flexibility Across Devices

Imagine coding on your laptop, switching to a tablet, or even a Chromebook, without missing a beat. With code-server, your development environment follows you wherever you go—seamlessly.

2. Offloading Performance to the Server

Running resource-intensive tasks on a server instead of your local machine? Yes, please! Whether you’re working on complex builds or handling large datasets, code-server takes the heavy lifting off your device and onto the server.

3. Bringing Your Dev Environment Closer to LLMs

With the rise of large language models (LLMs), working near powerful servers hosting these models has become a necessity. No more downloading terabytes of data just to test integrations locally. Code-server simplifies this by placing your environment right where the action is.

4. Because I Can! 🥳

As a coder and IT enthusiast, sometimes the best reason is simply: Because I can! Sure, you could run local VSCode with “Remote Development” extensions or install it directly on a Chromebook—but where’s the fun in that? 😉

5. Streamlined Backup and File Management

One of my favorite aspects? Developing directly on a remote system where my regular backup processes already take care of everything. No extra steps, no worries—just peace of mind knowing my work is secure.

I just did it to do it, I use code-server to manage all my Proxmox scrips and develop little Sysadmin tools. You also get a nice web shell.

Installation

Requirements

Before diving in, make sure your system meets the minimum requirements:

• Linux machine with WebSockets enabled. (this is important to know when you use a reverse proxy)

• At least 1 GB RAM and 2 vCPUs.

I think you can get away with 1 CPU, mine is bored most of the time, obviously running resource intensive code will eat more.

Check out the full requirements here.

Installation

There are multiple ways to get started with code-server, but I choose the easiest one:

curl -fsSL https://code-server.dev/install.sh | sh

This script ensures code-server is installed correctly and even provides instructions for starting it. Never run script like this from the internet before checking it.

Configuration

After installation, you can customize code-server for your needs. Explore the setup and configuration guide to tweak settings, enable authentication, and enhance your workflow.

nano ~/.config/code-server/config.yaml

That is where you will find the password to access code-server and you can also change the port:

bind-addr: 127.0.0.1:8080
password: 5f89a538c9c849b439d0f866
cert: false

You can disable auth by commenting out password. Personally I use SSO through Authentik for authentication.

Now you have an awesome way to code in your browser:

Resources

• GitHub Repository

• Setup Guide

• Frequently Asked Questions