Where can I find DevContainer templates?

InfraGap.com provides production-ready templates for Node.js, Python, Java, Go, Rust, .NET, and full-stack setups. Microsoft also maintains templates at github.com/devcontainers/templates.

How do I set up a Python DevContainer?

Use the Python base image (mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/python), add features for your tools, configure VS Code Python extension, and set up virtual environment creation in postCreateCommand.

Can DevContainers include databases?

Yes, use Docker Compose with your DevContainer to add PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, or other services. The database runs alongside your dev container with automatic port forwarding.

Language-Specific Quickstarts

Ready-to-use DevContainer configurations for every major programming language. Copy these production-ready devcontainer.json templates into your projects and start developing in the cloud instantly

How to Use These Quickstarts

Create the .devcontainer directory

In your project root, create a .devcontainer folder.

Copy the configuration

Choose your language below and copy the devcontainer.json file into .devcontainer/devcontainer.json.

Open in your CDE

Use VS Code Remote Containers, GitHub Codespaces, Gitpod, Coder, or any DevContainer-compatible platform. The environment will build automatically.

Customize as needed

Modify the configuration to add project-specific tools, extensions, or environment variables.

Node.js / JavaScript / TypeScript

Production-ready Node.js environment with TypeScript support, ESLint, Prettier, and debugging configured.

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "Node.js 20 LTS",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/javascript-node:20",

  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/node:1": {
      "version": "20",
      "nodeGypDependencies": true,
      "nvmVersion": "latest"
    },
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/git:1": {}
  },

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "dbaeumer.vscode-eslint",
        "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
        "christian-kohler.npm-intellisense",
        "ms-vscode.vscode-typescript-next",
        "yoavbls.pretty-ts-errors",
        "streetsidesoftware.code-spell-checker"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
        "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
          "source.fixAll.eslint": true
        },
        "typescript.updateImportsOnFileMove.enabled": "always"
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [3000, 5173, 8080],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "3000": { "label": "App", "onAutoForward": "notify" },
    "5173": { "label": "Vite", "onAutoForward": "notify" }
  },

  "postCreateCommand": "npm install",

  "remoteUser": "node"
}

.vscode/launch.json (Debugging)

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "type": "node",
      "request": "launch",
      "name": "Launch Program",
      "skipFiles": ["/**"],
      "program": "${workspaceFolder}/index.js",
      "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js"]
    },
    {
      "type": "node",
      "request": "attach",
      "name": "Attach to Process",
      "port": 9229,
      "restart": true
    }
  ]
}

Common Issues and Fixes

ESLint not working: Run npm install eslint --save-dev and create .eslintrc.json

Node version mismatch: Change the version in features to match your project (16, 18, 20, 22)

Slow container builds: Use "postCreateCommand": "npm ci" instead of npm install for faster installs

Python

Python 3.11+ with Poetry, pip, virtual environments, Jupyter, and comprehensive debugging support.

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "Python 3.11",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/python:3.11",

  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/python:1": {
      "version": "3.11",
      "installJupyterlab": true
    },
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/git:1": {}
  },

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "ms-python.python",
        "ms-python.vscode-pylance",
        "ms-python.black-formatter",
        "ms-python.isort",
        "ms-python.pylint",
        "ms-toolsai.jupyter",
        "ms-toolsai.jupyter-keymap",
        "ms-toolsai.jupyter-renderers",
        "ms-toolsai.vscode-jupyter-cell-tags",
        "charliermarsh.ruff"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/local/bin/python",
        "python.formatting.provider": "black",
        "python.linting.enabled": true,
        "python.linting.pylintEnabled": true,
        "python.testing.pytestEnabled": true,
        "python.testing.unittestEnabled": false,
        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
        "[python]": {
          "editor.defaultFormatter": "ms-python.black-formatter",
          "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
            "source.organizeImports": true
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [8000, 8888, 5000],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "8000": { "label": "Django/FastAPI", "onAutoForward": "notify" },
    "8888": { "label": "Jupyter", "onAutoForward": "notify" }
  },

  "postCreateCommand": "pip3 install --user -r requirements.txt",

  "remoteUser": "vscode"
}

.vscode/launch.json (Debugging)

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": "Python: Current File",
      "type": "python",
      "request": "launch",
      "program": "${file}",
      "console": "integratedTerminal",
      "justMyCode": true
    },
    {
      "name": "Python: Django",
      "type": "python",
      "request": "launch",
      "program": "${workspaceFolder}/manage.py",
      "args": ["runserver", "0.0.0.0:8000"],
      "django": true,
      "justMyCode": true
    },
    {
      "name": "Python: FastAPI",
      "type": "python",
      "request": "launch",
      "module": "uvicorn",
      "args": ["main:app", "--reload", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--port", "8000"],
      "jinja": true,
      "justMyCode": true
    }
  ]
}

Poetry Support

For Poetry-based projects, add this feature and change the postCreateCommand:

"features": {
  "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/python:1": {
    "version": "3.11"
  },
  "ghcr.io/eitsupi/devcontainer-features/poetry:1": {
    "version": "latest"
  }
},
"postCreateCommand": "poetry install"

Common Issues and Fixes

Module not found errors: Ensure virtual environment is activated: source .venv/bin/activate

Jupyter not starting: Change installJupyterlab to true in features

Wrong Python version: Update the version in features (3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12)

Java / Kotlin

JDK 17/21 with Maven, Gradle, Spring Boot support, and comprehensive Java tooling.

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "Java 21 + Maven/Gradle",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/java:21",

  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/java:1": {
      "version": "21",
      "jdkDistro": "temurin",
      "installMaven": true,
      "installGradle": true
    },
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/git:1": {}
  },

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "vscjava.vscode-java-pack",
        "vscjava.vscode-spring-initializr",
        "vscjava.vscode-spring-boot-dashboard",
        "pivotal.vscode-spring-boot",
        "vmware.vscode-boot-dev-pack",
        "gabrielbb.vscode-lombok",
        "fwcd.kotlin",
        "mathiasfrohlich.kotlin",
        "redhat.java"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "java.configuration.runtimes": [
          {
            "name": "JavaSE-21",
            "path": "/usr/local/sdkman/candidates/java/current",
            "default": true
          }
        ],
        "java.compile.nullAnalysis.mode": "automatic",
        "java.saveActions.organizeImports": true,
        "spring-boot.ls.problem.boot2x.enabled": false
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [8080, 8081, 5005],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "8080": { "label": "Spring Boot", "onAutoForward": "notify" },
    "5005": { "label": "Debug", "onAutoForward": "silent" }
  },

  "postCreateCommand": "./mvnw clean install -DskipTests || ./gradlew build -x test",

  "remoteUser": "vscode"
}

.vscode/launch.json (Debugging)

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "type": "java",
      "name": "Launch Current File",
      "request": "launch",
      "mainClass": "${file}"
    },
    {
      "type": "java",
      "name": "Launch Spring Boot",
      "request": "launch",
      "mainClass": "com.example.Application",
      "projectName": "demo",
      "args": ""
    },
    {
      "type": "java",
      "name": "Attach to Remote",
      "request": "attach",
      "hostName": "localhost",
      "port": 5005
    }
  ]
}

Common Issues and Fixes

Maven wrapper not executable: Run chmod +x mvnw

JDK version mismatch: Change version to match your project (11, 17, 21)

Lombok not working: Ensure gabrielbb.vscode-lombok extension is installed and reload window

Go

Go 1.21+ with module support, debugging, linting, and testing configured.

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "Go 1.21",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/go:1.21",

  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/go:1": {
      "version": "1.21"
    },
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/git:1": {}
  },

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "golang.go",
        "ms-vscode.makefile-tools",
        "streetsidesoftware.code-spell-checker"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "go.useLanguageServer": true,
        "go.toolsManagement.autoUpdate": true,
        "go.lintTool": "golangci-lint",
        "go.lintOnSave": "package",
        "go.formatTool": "gofmt",
        "go.formatFlags": ["-s"],
        "go.testFlags": ["-v", "-race"],
        "go.testTimeout": "30s",
        "go.coverOnSave": false,
        "go.coverageDecorator": {
          "type": "gutter"
        },
        "[go]": {
          "editor.formatOnSave": true,
          "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
            "source.organizeImports": true
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [8080, 9000],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "8080": { "label": "App", "onAutoForward": "notify" }
  },

  "postCreateCommand": "go mod download && go install -v golang.org/x/tools/gopls@latest && go install -v github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/cmd/golangci-lint@latest",

  "remoteUser": "vscode"
}

.vscode/launch.json (Debugging)

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": "Launch Package",
      "type": "go",
      "request": "launch",
      "mode": "auto",
      "program": "${workspaceFolder}/main.go"
    },
    {
      "name": "Launch Test Package",
      "type": "go",
      "request": "launch",
      "mode": "test",
      "program": "${workspaceFolder}"
    },
    {
      "name": "Attach to Process",
      "type": "go",
      "request": "attach",
      "mode": "local",
      "processId": "${command:pickGoProcess}"
    }
  ]
}

Common Issues and Fixes

gopls not found: Run go install golang.org/x/tools/gopls@latest

Module errors: Ensure go.mod exists in project root, create with go mod init

Linting not working: Install golangci-lint: go install github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/cmd/golangci-lint@latest

Rust

Latest Rust toolchain with rust-analyzer, Cargo, clippy, and CodeLLDB debugging.

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "Rust",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/rust:latest",

  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/rust:1": {
      "version": "latest",
      "profile": "default"
    },
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/git:1": {}
  },

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "rust-lang.rust-analyzer",
        "vadimcn.vscode-lldb",
        "tamasfe.even-better-toml",
        "serayuzgur.crates",
        "swellaby.vscode-rust-test-adapter"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "rust-analyzer.checkOnSave.command": "clippy",
        "rust-analyzer.cargo.allFeatures": true,
        "rust-analyzer.procMacro.enable": true,
        "rust-analyzer.inlayHints.chainingHints.enable": true,
        "rust-analyzer.inlayHints.parameterHints.enable": true,
        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
        "[rust]": {
          "editor.defaultFormatter": "rust-lang.rust-analyzer"
        }
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [3000, 8000, 8080],

  "postCreateCommand": "rustc --version && cargo --version",

  "remoteUser": "vscode"
}

.vscode/launch.json (Debugging)

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "type": "lldb",
      "request": "launch",
      "name": "Debug executable",
      "cargo": {
        "args": ["build", "--bin=${workspaceFolderBasename}", "--package=${workspaceFolderBasename}"],
        "filter": {
          "name": "${workspaceFolderBasename}",
          "kind": "bin"
        }
      },
      "args": [],
      "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}"
    },
    {
      "type": "lldb",
      "request": "launch",
      "name": "Debug unit tests",
      "cargo": {
        "args": ["test", "--no-run", "--lib", "--package=${workspaceFolderBasename}"],
        "filter": {
          "name": "${workspaceFolderBasename}",
          "kind": "lib"
        }
      },
      "args": [],
      "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}"
    }
  ]
}

Common Issues and Fixes

rust-analyzer slow: Disable cargo.allFeatures for large projects

Debugging not working: Ensure CodeLLDB extension is installed and workspace has Cargo.toml

Build cache issues: Run cargo clean to clear build artifacts

.NET / C#

.NET 8 SDK with C# Dev Kit, NuGet, and comprehensive debugging support.

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": ".NET 8",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/dotnet:8.0",

  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/dotnet:1": {
      "version": "8.0"
    },
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/git:1": {}
  },

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "ms-dotnettools.csdevkit",
        "ms-dotnettools.csharp",
        "ms-dotnettools.vscode-dotnet-runtime",
        "kreativ-software.csharpextensions",
        "jchannon.csharpextensions",
        "patcx.vscode-nuget-gallery"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "dotnet.defaultSolution": "disable",
        "omnisharp.enableRoslynAnalyzers": true,
        "omnisharp.enableEditorConfigSupport": true,
        "omnisharp.organizeImportsOnFormat": true,
        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
        "[csharp]": {
          "editor.defaultFormatter": "ms-dotnettools.csharp"
        }
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [5000, 5001, 7000],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "5000": { "label": "HTTP", "onAutoForward": "notify" },
    "5001": { "label": "HTTPS", "onAutoForward": "notify" }
  },

  "postCreateCommand": "dotnet restore",

  "remoteUser": "vscode"
}

.vscode/launch.json (Debugging)

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": ".NET Core Launch (web)",
      "type": "coreclr",
      "request": "launch",
      "preLaunchTask": "build",
      "program": "${workspaceFolder}/bin/Debug/net8.0/YourApp.dll",
      "args": [],
      "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
      "stopAtEntry": false,
      "serverReadyAction": {
        "action": "openExternally",
        "pattern": "\\bNow listening on:\\s+(https?://\\S+)"
      },
      "env": {
        "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": ".NET Core Attach",
      "type": "coreclr",
      "request": "attach"
    }
  ]
}

Common Issues and Fixes

OmniSharp not loading: Reload window or restart C# extension

NuGet restore fails: Run dotnet restore --force

Wrong .NET version: Update version to match your project (6.0, 7.0, 8.0)

Full-Stack Examples

Multi-container configurations for full-stack development with databases and services

React + Node.js + PostgreSQL

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "React + Node.js + PostgreSQL",
  "dockerComposeFile": "docker-compose.yml",
  "service": "app",
  "workspaceFolder": "/workspaces/${localWorkspaceFolderBasename}",

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "dbaeumer.vscode-eslint",
        "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
        "ms-azuretools.vscode-docker",
        "ms-vscode.vscode-typescript-next",
        "ckolkman.vscode-postgres",
        "dsznajder.es7-react-js-snippets"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
        "editor.formatOnSave": true
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [3000, 5000, 5432],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "3000": { "label": "React Frontend" },
    "5000": { "label": "Node.js Backend" },
    "5432": { "label": "PostgreSQL", "onAutoForward": "silent" }
  },

  "postCreateCommand": "cd frontend && npm install && cd ../backend && npm install",

  "remoteUser": "node"
}

.devcontainer/docker-compose.yml

version: '3.8'

services:
  app:
    image: mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/javascript-node:20
    volumes:
      - ..:/workspaces:cached
    command: sleep infinity
    network_mode: service:db
    environment:
      DATABASE_URL: "postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/devdb"

  db:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - postgres-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: postgres
      POSTGRES_DB: devdb
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: postgres

volumes:
  postgres-data:

Django + PostgreSQL

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "Django + PostgreSQL",
  "dockerComposeFile": "docker-compose.yml",
  "service": "app",
  "workspaceFolder": "/workspaces/${localWorkspaceFolderBasename}",

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "ms-python.python",
        "ms-python.vscode-pylance",
        "ms-python.black-formatter",
        "batisteo.vscode-django",
        "ckolkman.vscode-postgres"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/local/bin/python",
        "python.formatting.provider": "black",
        "python.linting.enabled": true,
        "python.linting.pylintEnabled": true
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [8000, 5432],

  "postCreateCommand": "pip install -r requirements.txt && python manage.py migrate",

  "remoteUser": "vscode"
}

.devcontainer/docker-compose.yml

version: '3.8'

services:
  app:
    image: mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/python:3.11
    volumes:
      - ..:/workspaces:cached
    command: sleep infinity
    network_mode: service:db
    environment:
      DATABASE_URL: "postgresql://postgres:postgres@localhost:5432/djangodb"
      POSTGRES_HOST: localhost
      POSTGRES_DB: djangodb
      POSTGRES_USER: postgres
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: postgres

  db:
    image: postgres:16-alpine
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - postgres-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: postgres
      POSTGRES_DB: djangodb
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: postgres

volumes:
  postgres-data:

Spring Boot + MySQL

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

{
  "name": "Spring Boot + MySQL",
  "dockerComposeFile": "docker-compose.yml",
  "service": "app",
  "workspaceFolder": "/workspaces/${localWorkspaceFolderBasename}",

  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "vscjava.vscode-java-pack",
        "vscjava.vscode-spring-boot-dashboard",
        "pivotal.vscode-spring-boot",
        "cweijan.vscode-mysql-client2"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "java.configuration.runtimes": [
          {
            "name": "JavaSE-21",
            "path": "/usr/local/sdkman/candidates/java/current",
            "default": true
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },

  "forwardPorts": [8080, 3306],

  "postCreateCommand": "./mvnw clean install -DskipTests",

  "remoteUser": "vscode"
}

.devcontainer/docker-compose.yml

version: '3.8'

services:
  app:
    image: mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/java:21
    volumes:
      - ..:/workspaces:cached
    command: sleep infinity
    network_mode: service:db
    environment:
      SPRING_DATASOURCE_URL: "jdbc:mysql://localhost:3306/springdb"
      SPRING_DATASOURCE_USERNAME: root
      SPRING_DATASOURCE_PASSWORD: password

  db:
    image: mysql:8
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - mysql-data:/var/lib/mysql
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: password
      MYSQL_DATABASE: springdb

volumes:
  mysql-data:

Performance Tips

Optimize your DevContainers for faster builds and better developer experience

Layer Caching

Use pre-built base images and avoid reinstalling dependencies on every rebuild

// Use official images
"image": "mcr.microsoft.com/..."

// Cache dependencies
"mounts": [
  "source=node_modules,target=${containerWorkspaceFolder}/node_modules,type=volume"
]

Volume Mounts

Use cached volumes for node_modules, .venv, and build artifacts

"mounts": [
  "source=${localWorkspaceFolderBasename}-node_modules,target=${containerWorkspaceFolder}/node_modules,type=volume"
]

Prebuild Images

For GitHub Codespaces and Gitpod, use prebuilds to speed up workspace creation

// GitHub Codespaces
{
  "prebuildOptions": {
    "commands": ["npm ci", "npm run build"]
  }
}

Selective Extensions

Only install essential extensions to reduce startup time

// Install only what you need
"extensions": [
  "dbaeumer.vscode-eslint",
  "esbenp.prettier-vscode"
  // Skip theme extensions in CDEs
]

Additional Optimization Strategies

Use npm ci instead of npm install

Faster, deterministic installs from package-lock.json

Configure postAttachCommand

Run lightweight startup tasks after container is ready

Minimize Dockerfile layers

Combine RUN commands to reduce image size and build time

Use multi-stage builds

Separate build and runtime environments for smaller images

Ready to start developing in the cloud?

Copy these configurations, customize for your project, and experience the power of standardized development environments.

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