DDEV Coder Template

Coder workspace template for DDEV-based development with Docker-in-Docker support, Node.js, and Git.

Features

• Custom Base Image: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with essential development tools
• Docker-in-Docker: Full Docker support for DDEV (using Sysbox runtime)
• Node.js/npm: LTS version (configurable)
• DDEV: Pre-installed and ready to use
• VS Code for Web: Browser-based IDE with full extension support
• PHP/Python/Node Projects: Support for 20+ project types via DDEV

Configuration

Container:

• User: coder (UID 1000)
• Runtime: sysbox-runc (for secure Docker-in-Docker)
• Docker daemon: Runs inside the container

Installed Tools:

• Docker CLI and daemon (latest stable)
• ddev (latest)
• Node.js LTS (pre-installed in image)
• Git, vim, build tools

Docker Image and Template Management

Building and Deploying

The base Docker image is built from the image/Dockerfile and the Coder template is in template/. Use the provided Makefile to manage everything:

# Full deployment (build, push image, push template)
make deploy-ddev-user

# Full deployment without cache
make deploy-ddev-user-no-cache

# Image operations
make build              # Build the image with cache
make build-no-cache     # Build without cache (useful for clean builds)
make push               # Push to Docker Hub
make build-and-push     # Build and push in one command

# Template operations
make push-template-ddev-user      # Push ddev-user template to Coder

# Utility commands
make test               # Test the built image
make info               # Show version and configuration
make help               # See all available commands

Version Management

The VERSION file in the root directory controls the image tag. The Makefile automatically copies it into the template directory before pushing, and template.tf reads it from there — no manual edits to template.tf are needed.

To release a new version:

1. Update the VERSION file (e.g., v0.7)
2. Run make deploy-ddev-user to build image, push image, and push template

Quick deployment:

make deploy-ddev-user        # Build with cache and deploy
# or
make deploy-ddev-user-no-cache  # Clean build and deploy

Supported Project Types

DDEV supports 20+ project types out of the box. All work identically in Coder workspaces.

Static Sites:

• HTML, Jekyll, Hugo, any static site generator

Generic:

• Custom PHP, Go, Rust, or any web application

See DDEV Documentation for full list and configuration.

Documentation

New to Coder?

• 📘 Getting Started Guide - Create your first workspace
• 📗 Using Workspaces - Daily workflows and tips

Administrators:

• 📕 Operations Guide - Deploy and manage template
• 📙 User Management - Users, roles, permissions
• 📔 Troubleshooting - Debug common issues

DDEV Experts:

• 🔍 Comparison to Local DDEV - Architecture, tradeoffs, migration

Developers/Contributors:

• 🤖 CLAUDE.md - AI-assisted development guide

📚 Full Documentation Index

Template Structure

coder-ddev/
├── ddev-user/          # General-purpose DDEV template
│   ├── template.tf
│   └── README.md
├── ddev-drupal-core/   # Drupal core development template
│   ├── template.tf
│   └── README.md
├── image/              # Shared Docker image
└── Makefile           # Build and deploy automation

Available Templates

ddev-user (General Purpose)

Basic DDEV development environment for any project type.

• Resources: 4 cores, 8 GB RAM (default)
• Setup: Manual (clone your own repository)
• Use Case: Any DDEV-compatible project (Drupal, WordPress, Laravel, etc.)
• Start Time: < 1 minute
• Template Directory: ddev-user/

Create workspace:

coder create --template ddev-user my-workspace

ddev-drupal-core (Drupal Core Development)

Fully automated Drupal core development environment.

• Resources: 6 cores, 12 GB RAM (default)
• Setup: Automatic (Drupal core cloned and installed)
• Use Case: Drupal core development, contribution, testing
• Start Time: 8-12 minutes (first start), < 1 minute (subsequent)
• Template Directory: ddev-drupal-core/
• Includes:
  • Pre-cloned Drupal core main branch (shallow clone, 50 commits depth)
  • Configured DDEV (PHP 8.5, Drupal 12 config, port 80)
  • Installed demo_umami site
  • Admin account (admin/admin)

Create workspace:

coder create --template ddev-drupal-core my-drupal-dev

Choosing a Template

• Use ddev-user for:

  • Contrib module development
  • Site building
  • General Drupal/PHP projects
  • Maximum flexibility

• Use ddev-drupal-core for:

  • Drupal core patches
  • Core issue queue work
  • Testing Drupal core changes
  • Learning Drupal internals

Usage

Create a new workspace using your chosen template:

# General-purpose DDEV environment
coder create --template ddev-user <workspace-name>

# Drupal core development environment
coder create --template ddev-drupal-core <workspace-name>

Access your project:

• Open Coder dashboard
• Find your workspace
• Click on port 80 or 443 under "Apps"

📖 Full Getting Started Guide

For Administrators

Deploy template and manage infrastructure:

# Build and push Docker image
cd image
docker build -t ddev/coder-ddev:v0.1 .
docker push ddev/coder-ddev:v0.1

# Deploy template to Coder
coder templates push --directory ddev-user ddev-user --yes

# Or use Makefile
make deploy-ddev-user  # Build + push image + push template

📖 Full Operations Guide