devcontainer-setup
Creates devcontainers with Claude Code, language-specific tooling (Python/Node/Rust/Go), and persistent volumes. Use when adding devcontainer support to a project, setting up isolated development environments, or configuring sandboxed Claude Code workspaces.
Best use case
devcontainer-setup is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Creates devcontainers with Claude Code, language-specific tooling (Python/Node/Rust/Go), and persistent volumes. Use when adding devcontainer support to a project, setting up isolated development environments, or configuring sandboxed Claude Code workspaces.
Teams using devcontainer-setup should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/devcontainer-setup/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How devcontainer-setup Compares
| Feature / Agent | devcontainer-setup | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Creates devcontainers with Claude Code, language-specific tooling (Python/Node/Rust/Go), and persistent volumes. Use when adding devcontainer support to a project, setting up isolated development environments, or configuring sandboxed Claude Code workspaces.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
Related Guides
AI Agents for Coding
Browse AI agent skills for coding, debugging, testing, refactoring, code review, and developer workflows across Claude, Cursor, and Codex.
Cursor vs Codex for AI Workflows
Compare Cursor and Codex for AI coding workflows, repository assistance, debugging, refactoring, and reusable developer skills.
SKILL.md Source
# Devcontainer Setup Skill
Creates a pre-configured devcontainer with Claude Code and language-specific tooling.
## When to Use
- User asks to "set up a devcontainer" or "add devcontainer support"
- User wants a sandboxed Claude Code development environment
- User needs isolated development environments with persistent configuration
## When NOT to Use
- User already has a devcontainer configuration and just needs modifications
- User is asking about general Docker or container questions
- User wants to deploy production containers (this is for development only)
## Workflow
```mermaid
flowchart TB
start([User requests devcontainer])
recon[1. Project Reconnaissance]
detect[2. Detect Languages]
generate[3. Generate Configuration]
write[4. Write files to .devcontainer/]
done([Done])
start --> recon
recon --> detect
detect --> generate
generate --> write
write --> done
```
## Phase 1: Project Reconnaissance
### Infer Project Name
Check in order (use first match):
1. `package.json` → `name` field
2. `pyproject.toml` → `project.name`
3. `Cargo.toml` → `package.name`
4. `go.mod` → module path (last segment after `/`)
5. Directory name as fallback
Convert to slug: lowercase, replace spaces/underscores with hyphens.
### Detect Language Stack
| Language | Detection Files |
|----------|-----------------|
| Python | `pyproject.toml`, `*.py` |
| Node/TypeScript | `package.json`, `tsconfig.json` |
| Rust | `Cargo.toml` |
| Go | `go.mod`, `go.sum` |
### Multi-Language Projects
If multiple languages are detected, configure all of them in the following priority order:
1. **Python** - Primary language, uses Dockerfile for uv + Python installation
2. **Node/TypeScript** - Uses devcontainer feature
3. **Rust** - Uses devcontainer feature
4. **Go** - Uses devcontainer feature
For multi-language `postCreateCommand`, chain all setup commands:
```
uv run /opt/post_install.py && uv sync && npm ci
```
Extensions and settings from all detected languages should be merged into the configuration.
## Phase 2: Generate Configuration
Start with base templates from `resources/` directory. Substitute:
- `{{PROJECT_NAME}}` → Human-readable name (e.g., "My Project")
- `{{PROJECT_SLUG}}` → Slug for volumes (e.g., "my-project")
Then apply language-specific modifications below.
## Base Template Features
The base template includes:
- **Claude Code** with marketplace plugins (anthropics/skills, trailofbits/skills, trailofbits/skills-curated)
- **Python 3.13** via uv (fast binary download)
- **Node 22** via fnm (Fast Node Manager)
- **ast-grep** for AST-based code search
- **Network isolation tools** (iptables, ipset) with NET_ADMIN capability
- **Modern CLI tools**: ripgrep, fd, fzf, tmux, git-delta
---
## Language-Specific Sections
### Python Projects
**Detection:** `pyproject.toml`, `requirements.txt`, `setup.py`, or `*.py` files
**Dockerfile additions:**
The base Dockerfile already includes Python 3.13 via uv. If a different version is required (detected from `pyproject.toml`), modify the Python installation:
```dockerfile
# Install Python via uv (fast binary download, not source compilation)
RUN uv python install <version> --default
```
**devcontainer.json extensions:**
Add to `customizations.vscode.extensions`:
```json
"ms-python.python",
"ms-python.vscode-pylance",
"charliermarsh.ruff"
```
Add to `customizations.vscode.settings`:
```json
"python.defaultInterpreterPath": ".venv/bin/python",
"[python]": {
"editor.defaultFormatter": "charliermarsh.ruff",
"editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
"source.organizeImports": "explicit"
}
}
```
**postCreateCommand:**
If `pyproject.toml` exists, chain commands:
```
rm -rf .venv && uv sync && uv run /opt/post_install.py
```
---
### Node/TypeScript Projects
**Detection:** `package.json` or `tsconfig.json`
**No Dockerfile additions needed:** The base template includes Node 22 via fnm (Fast Node Manager).
**devcontainer.json extensions:**
Add to `customizations.vscode.extensions`:
```json
"dbaeumer.vscode-eslint",
"esbenp.prettier-vscode"
```
Add to `customizations.vscode.settings`:
```json
"editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
"editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
"source.fixAll.eslint": "explicit"
}
```
**postCreateCommand:**
Detect package manager from lockfile and chain with base command:
- `pnpm-lock.yaml` → `uv run /opt/post_install.py && pnpm install --frozen-lockfile`
- `yarn.lock` → `uv run /opt/post_install.py && yarn install --frozen-lockfile`
- `package-lock.json` → `uv run /opt/post_install.py && npm ci`
- No lockfile → `uv run /opt/post_install.py && npm install`
---
### Rust Projects
**Detection:** `Cargo.toml`
**Features to add:**
```json
"ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/rust:1": {}
```
**devcontainer.json extensions:**
Add to `customizations.vscode.extensions`:
```json
"rust-lang.rust-analyzer",
"tamasfe.even-better-toml"
```
Add to `customizations.vscode.settings`:
```json
"[rust]": {
"editor.defaultFormatter": "rust-lang.rust-analyzer"
}
```
**postCreateCommand:**
If `Cargo.lock` exists, use locked builds:
```
uv run /opt/post_install.py && cargo build --locked
```
If no lockfile, use standard build:
```
uv run /opt/post_install.py && cargo build
```
---
### Go Projects
**Detection:** `go.mod`
**Features to add:**
```json
"ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/go:1": {
"version": "latest"
}
```
**devcontainer.json extensions:**
Add to `customizations.vscode.extensions`:
```json
"golang.go"
```
Add to `customizations.vscode.settings`:
```json
"[go]": {
"editor.defaultFormatter": "golang.go"
},
"go.useLanguageServer": true
```
**postCreateCommand:**
```
uv run /opt/post_install.py && go mod download
```
---
## Reference Material
For additional guidance, see:
- `references/dockerfile-best-practices.md` - Layer optimization, multi-stage builds, architecture support
- `references/features-vs-dockerfile.md` - When to use devcontainer features vs custom Dockerfile
---
## Adding Persistent Volumes
Pattern for new mounts in `devcontainer.json`:
```json
"mounts": [
"source={{PROJECT_SLUG}}-<purpose>-${devcontainerId},target=<container-path>,type=volume"
]
```
Common additions:
- `source={{PROJECT_SLUG}}-cargo-${devcontainerId},target=/home/vscode/.cargo,type=volume` (Rust)
- `source={{PROJECT_SLUG}}-go-${devcontainerId},target=/home/vscode/go,type=volume` (Go)
---
## Output Files
Generate these files in the project's `.devcontainer/` directory:
1. `Dockerfile` - Container build instructions
2. `devcontainer.json` - VS Code/devcontainer configuration
3. `post_install.py` - Post-creation setup script
4. `.zshrc` - Shell configuration
5. `install.sh` - CLI helper for managing the devcontainer (`devc` command)
---
## Validation Checklist
Before presenting files to the user, verify:
1. All `{{PROJECT_NAME}}` placeholders are replaced with the human-readable name
2. All `{{PROJECT_SLUG}}` placeholders are replaced with the slugified name
3. JSON syntax is valid in `devcontainer.json` (no trailing commas, proper nesting)
4. Language-specific extensions are added for all detected languages
5. `postCreateCommand` includes all required setup commands (chained with `&&`)
---
## User Instructions
After generating, inform the user:
1. How to start: "Open in VS Code and select 'Reopen in Container'"
2. Alternative: `devcontainer up --workspace-folder .`
3. CLI helper: Run `.devcontainer/install.sh self-install` to add the `devc` command to PATHRelated Skills
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