code-server
VS Code in a browser; the cloud part is your server.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- MIT
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- desktopwebself-hosteddocker to self-host
- Installation
- Official install script, package, Docker image, or Helm chart on a Linux server
- Operational Setup
- Requires a server with roughly 1 GB RAM and two CPU cores, plus WebSocket-capable HTTPS/reverse-proxy and authentication configuration before exposing it publicly
- Where Your Data Lives
- Repositories, terminals, extensions, and VS Code user data live on the host/server filesystem and mounted home directories
- The Catch / Trade-off
- It is only VS Code running on a server you operate, without CodeSandbox's instant disposable sandboxes, automatic previews, forks, share links, and managed collaboration.
Replaces 2 paid apps
up to $37/mo ($444/yr) in subscriptions
code-server FAQ
Common questions
Is code-server free and open source?+
code-server is an open-source tool licensed under MIT that runs on self-host. VS Code in a browser; the cloud part is your server.
What paid software does code-server replace?+
code-server serves as a free replacement for 2 paid SaaS applications: CodeSandbox, Replit, saving up to $37/month ($444/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up code-server?+
Installation: Official install script, package, Docker image, or Helm chart on a Linux server. Setup notes: Requires a server with roughly 1 GB RAM and two CPU cores, plus WebSocket-capable HTTPS/reverse-proxy and authentication configuration before exposing it publicly
What is the catch or trade-off with code-server?+
It is only VS Code running on a server you operate, without CodeSandbox's instant disposable sandboxes, automatic previews, forks, share links, and managed collaboration.