# Dev Containers Setup Guide

> Or install from Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X) → search "Dev Containers".

- Skill: `tools-only/dev-containers-setup-guide` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/dev-containers-setup-guide`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/dev-containers-setup-guide/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner WARNING, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/dev-containers-setup-guide

---

# Dev Containers Setup Guide

> Complete guide for the VS Code Dev Container environment

## What Are Dev Containers?

Dev Containers use Docker to create a full-featured development environment inside a container.
When you open this repository in a Dev Container:

- All required tools are pre-installed (Azure CLI, Bicep, PowerShell 7)
- VS Code extensions are automatically configured
- Git credentials are shared from your host machine
- The environment matches what other team members use

---

## System Requirements

### Docker Options

| Platform               | Recommended                       | Alternatives            |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Windows 10/11 Pro**  | Docker Desktop with WSL 2         | Rancher Desktop, Podman |
| **Windows 10/11 Home** | Docker Desktop with WSL 2 (2004+) | —                       |
| **macOS**              | Docker Desktop 2.0+               | Colima, Rancher Desktop |
| **Linux**              | Docker CE/EE 18.06+               | Podman                  |

### Hardware

| Resource | Minimum    | Recommended |
| -------- | ---------- | ----------- |
| RAM      | 8 GB       | 16 GB       |
| CPU      | 2 cores    | 4+ cores    |
| Disk     | 10 GB free | 20 GB free  |

### Software

| Software                 | Version   | Purpose               |
| ------------------------ | --------- | --------------------- |
| VS Code                  | Latest    | IDE                   |
| Dev Containers Extension | Latest    | Container integration |
| Docker                   | See above | Container runtime     |
| Git                      | 2.30+     | Version control       |

---

## Installation Steps

### Step 1: Install Docker

#### Windows (with WSL 2)

```powershell
# Install WSL 2 (if not already installed)
wsl --install

# Then download and install Docker Desktop
# https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop

# Enable WSL 2 backend in Docker Desktop settings
```

#### macOS

1. Download [Docker Desktop for Mac](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop)
2. Start Docker Desktop from Applications
3. Wait for "Docker Desktop is running"

#### Linux

```bash
# Ubuntu/Debian
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
# Log out and back in for group changes

# Verify
docker --version
```

### Step 2: Install VS Code Extension

```bash
code --install-extension ms-vscode-remote.remote-containers
```

Or install from Extensions (`Ctrl+Shift+X`) → search "Dev Containers".

### Step 3: Open in Dev Container

```bash
git clone https://github.com/jonathan-vella/azure-agentic-infraops.git
cd azure-agentic-infraops
code .
```

Press `F1` → **Dev Containers: Reopen in Container**

First build takes 2-5 minutes. Subsequent opens are instant.

### Step 4: Verify Setup

```bash
az --version && bicep --version && pwsh --version
```

---

## Alternative Docker Options

### Rancher Desktop (Free Docker Desktop Alternative)

1. Download from [rancherdesktop.io](https://rancherdesktop.io/)
2. Choose "dockerd (moby)" as runtime
3. Works with VS Code Dev Containers extension

### Colima (macOS Only)

```bash
brew install colima docker
colima start
```

### Podman (Linux/macOS)

```bash
# macOS
brew install podman
podman machine init
podman machine start

# Linux
sudo apt install podman
```

Configure VS Code: `"dev.containers.dockerPath": "podman"`

---

## What's Included

The Dev Container includes:

| Category               | Tools                                                     |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Azure**              | Azure CLI 2.50+, Bicep CLI 0.30+, Azure Pricing MCP       |
| **Terraform**          | Terraform (latest), tfsec, HashiCorp Terraform MCP Server |
| **PowerShell**         | PowerShell 7+, Az modules                                 |
| **Python**             | Python 3.13+, diagrams library, graphviz                  |
| **Node.js**            | Node LTS+, npm, markdownlint                              |
| **VS Code Extensions** | 27+ extensions (Bicep, Terraform, Copilot, Azure, etc.)   |

> **Auto-updates on start**: `terraform-mcp-server`, Azure Pricing MCP, npm deps, `markdownlint-cli2`,
> `checkov`, `ruff`, and `diagrams` are refreshed automatically on every container start via `post-start.sh`.
> Heavy tools (PowerShell modules, system packages) are installed once at build time.

---

## Troubleshooting

### Container Won't Start

```bash
# Check Docker is running
docker ps

# Rebuild without cache
# F1 → Dev Containers: Rebuild Container Without Cache
```

### Port Conflicts

Stop other containers using the same ports:

```bash
docker ps
docker stop <container-id>
```

### Slow Performance (Windows/macOS)

- Increase Docker Desktop memory allocation (Settings → Resources)
- Use WSL 2 backend on Windows (faster than Hyper-V)
- Close unnecessary applications

### Extensions Not Loading

```bash
# Force extension reinstall
# F1 → Developer: Reload Window
```

---

## References

- [VS Code Dev Containers Documentation](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/devcontainers/containers)
- [Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/)
- [Rancher Desktop](https://rancherdesktop.io/)