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Guide · Open source

How to use code-server: VS Code in the browser

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

code-server is an open-source project from coder that runs Visual Studio Code on a remote machine and lets you use it through a web browser. This guide explains how it works, how to get the source code from the repository, and who it suits. The README we had access to was truncated, so setup details beyond the repository clone are not covered here.

code-servercoder/code-server · ★ 79.8k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Decide whether a browser-based editor fits. Check that you have a server you can run and maintain, and that you accept the need for a connection to use the editor.
  2. 2Open the code-server repository. Go to the project's GitHub repository at the coder organisation to read the README and documentation.
  3. 3Clone the repository. Run the git clone command from this guide to copy the source to your machine or server.
  4. 4Follow the current install instructions. The README we reviewed did not include package manager commands, so use the official docs for the install method you choose.
  5. 5Secure the server before exposing it. Review the project's security guidance before making the editor reachable from the internet.
  6. 6Open the editor in your browser. Once the server is running, connect from any device with a browser to work in VS Code.

What does code-server do?

code-server runs VS Code on a remote machine and gives you access to it through a web browser. The editor and your files stay on the server, not on the device you are using.

The project describes itself simply as VS Code in the browser. Because the editor runs on the server, you can work from any device that has a browser.

Who is code-server for?

The project's own positioning points to three groups: developers who want to code from a tablet, a borrowed computer, or a machine with limited local resources; teams that want a shared, consistent development environment hosted on their own servers; and people who already use VS Code and want the same editor in a browser.

  • Developers working from tablets or borrowed computers
  • Developers with limited local resources
  • Teams that want a shared environment on their own servers
  • Existing VS Code users who want the same editor in a browser

How do you get the code-server source?

The README confirms one install step: clone the repository from GitHub. The project is listed as installable through a package manager, but the README we reviewed did not include the package manager commands, so check the project's README or documentation for the current install instructions.

Clone the repository with the command below.

git clone https://github.com/coder/code-server

What should you know before running it?

code-server depends on a running server to work, so it is not a fully offline editor. If you lose the connection to the server, you cannot use the editor.

Exposing an editor to the internet needs care. The README we reviewed was truncated, so we could not confirm specific security guidance. Read the project's security documentation before making a server reachable from outside your network.

  • Requires a running server; not suited to fully offline work
  • Plan to secure and maintain the server yourself
  • Confirm security guidance in the official docs before exposing it online

What are the alternatives to code-server?

Comparable projects include Gitpod, Eclipse Theia and OpenVSCode Server. Each takes a somewhat different approach to running an editor in the browser, so compare them against your team's needs before choosing.

  • Gitpod
  • Eclipse Theia
  • OpenVSCode Server

What people use it for

  • Coding from a tablet or a borrowed computer
  • Giving a team one shared development environment on servers they control
  • Keeping source files on a server instead of on each laptop
  • Using VS Code habits in a browser without installing the desktop app

Frequently asked questions

Is code-server free?

code-server is open source and released under the MIT licence. You can read the licence in the repository to confirm the terms.

What do I need to run code-server?

The project lists no prerequisites in the information we reviewed. You will need a server to run it on and a browser on the device you use to connect.

Does code-server work offline?

No. code-server depends on a running server, so the editor is not available without a connection to that server.

How do I install code-server?

The README confirms that you can clone the repository from GitHub. The project is listed as installable through a package manager, but the README we reviewed did not include those commands, so follow the official documentation.

What are good alternatives to code-server?

Comparable projects include Gitpod, Eclipse Theia and OpenVSCode Server. Pick based on how you want to host the editor and what your team already uses.

Is code-server safe to expose to the internet?

Exposing an editor online needs care. The README we reviewed was truncated, so specific security guidance could not be confirmed here. Check the official security documentation before you make it public.

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Our verdict

code-server suits developers who want VS Code in a browser on a server they control, especially for coding from light devices or sharing one environment across a team. Skip it if you need a fully offline editor or do not have the time to secure and maintain a server, and consider Gitpod, Eclipse Theia or OpenVSCode Server as alternatives.

Install options & downloads