Agent skill

codespaces

Create, manage, and optimize GitHub Codespaces cloud development environments. Configure devcontainers, manage resources, and streamline cloud-based development. Use when setting up cloud development environments, configuring devcontainers, or managing Codespaces. Triggers on codespace, devcontainer, cloud IDE, remote development, development environment, container development.

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Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/data/codespaces-housegarofalo-claude-code-base

SKILL.md

GitHub Codespaces

Cloud development environments that work anywhere.

Prerequisites

  • GitHub Account: With Codespaces access
  • gh CLI: Install from https://cli.github.com/
  • Authentication: Run gh auth login

Quick Reference

Core Commands

Action Command
Create codespace gh codespace create -r owner/repo
List codespaces gh codespace list
Open in VS Code gh codespace code -c <name>
Open in browser gh codespace view -c <name> -w
SSH into codespace gh codespace ssh -c <name>
Stop codespace gh codespace stop -c <name>
Delete codespace gh codespace delete -c <name>

Machine Types

Type vCPUs RAM Storage Best For
Basic 2 8GB 32GB Simple projects, docs
Standard 4 16GB 32GB Most development
Large 8 32GB 64GB Full-stack, multiple services
XL 16 64GB 128GB Data science, ML
GPU 4+ 16GB+ 64GB+ ML training, CUDA

DevContainer Configuration

Directory Structure

.devcontainer/
+-- devcontainer.json           # Default configuration
+-- web-frontend/
|   +-- devcontainer.json       # Frontend-specific
+-- backend-api/
|   +-- devcontainer.json       # Backend-specific
+-- data-science/
    +-- devcontainer.json       # Data science config

Basic devcontainer.json

json
{
  "name": "Project Dev Environment",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/universal:2",
  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/node:1": {},
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/python:1": {}
  },
  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "GitHub.copilot",
        "ms-python.python"
      ]
    }
  },
  "postCreateCommand": "npm install",
  "forwardPorts": [3000, 5000]
}

Lifecycle Scripts

postCreateCommand

Runs once when container is created:

json
"postCreateCommand": "npm install && npm run setup"

postStartCommand

Runs every time codespace starts:

json
"postStartCommand": "npm run dev:services"

postAttachCommand

Runs when VS Code attaches:

json
"postAttachCommand": "echo 'Welcome! Run npm start to begin.'"

Secrets Management

Setting Secrets

bash
# For a specific repo
gh secret set API_KEY --repo owner/repo

# For Codespaces specifically
gh secret set DB_PASSWORD --app codespaces

# For user (all Codespaces)
gh secret set NPM_TOKEN --user

Using Secrets in devcontainer.json

json
{
  "containerEnv": {
    "DATABASE_URL": "${localEnv:DATABASE_URL}"
  },
  "secrets": {
    "API_KEY": {
      "description": "API key for external service"
    }
  }
}

Port Forwarding

Automatic Forwarding

json
{
  "forwardPorts": [3000, 5000, 8080],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "3000": {
      "label": "Frontend",
      "onAutoForward": "openBrowser"
    },
    "5000": {
      "label": "API",
      "onAutoForward": "notify"
    }
  }
}

Manual Forwarding

bash
gh codespace ports forward 3000:3000 -c <codespace-name>

Common Workflows

Quick Start New Feature

bash
# Create codespace for feature branch
gh codespace create -r owner/repo -b feature-branch -m standardLinux

# Open in VS Code
gh codespace code

PR Review in Codespace

bash
# Create codespace from PR
gh codespace create -r owner/repo --branch pr-branch

# Or use the PR directly
gh pr checkout 123
gh codespace create

Share Environment

bash
# Export port with visibility
gh codespace ports visibility 3000:public -c <name>

# Get shareable URL
gh codespace ports -c <name>

Performance Optimization

Prebuilds

Enable prebuilds for faster startup:

json
// .github/codespaces/prebuild.json
{
  "triggers": {
    "branches": ["main", "develop"],
    "paths": ["package.json", ".devcontainer/**"]
  }
}

Dotfiles Repository

Configure personal dotfiles in GitHub Settings > Codespaces.

Cost Management

Auto-stop Settings

Configure in GitHub Settings > Codespaces:

  • Default idle timeout: 30 minutes
  • Retention period: 7 days

Best Practices

  1. Stop when not in use: gh codespace stop
  2. Delete completed work: gh codespace delete
  3. Use appropriate machine size: Don't over-provision
  4. Enable prebuilds: Faster startup, less billing

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
Slow startup Enable prebuilds
Out of storage Delete unused files, increase disk
Extension not working Check devcontainer extensions config
Port not accessible Check forwardPorts configuration
Environment variables missing Verify secrets are set

When to Use This Skill

  • Setting up cloud development environments
  • Configuring devcontainers for team consistency
  • Managing Codespaces via CLI
  • Optimizing development environment performance
  • Sharing development environments
  • PR reviews in isolated environments

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