Get 10% OFF hosting service at AlexHost with this voucher code: L59CD15KZ9Y6

What you need to know about Gitpod if you’re Github user

First, Gitpod and Github are different companies. But Gitpod service will make your Github experience more delightful. Here is what you need to know about Gitpod if you’re Github user like me.

The only cloud IDE which works seamlessly with Github

It’s the only cloud IDE which works seamlessly with the Github repository. At least, that’s what I know when I write this post. 

If you need to run that git clone blah blah on the other IDE to clone the codes from Github repo, it’s not the case with Gitpod. With Gitpod, you can do it by:

  • Browser extension. It’s available for Chrome and Firefox.

  • Manual way. Just append gitpod.io# at the front of your Github repository URL. For example, if I opened this repo on my Chrome: https://github.com/minimagick/minimagick, then I only need to change the URL on the browser’s address bar to be: https://gitpod.io#github.com/minimagick/minimagick and press enter. Just wait several seconds. Then, I’ll get the IDE ready with all the codes cloned there. Interesting, right?

Based on Docker

So, if you’re familiar with how Docker works, you’ll love Gitpod even more.

Since it’s using Docker, there is no need to do the package installation by yourself. The Docker file will handle all the package installation.

But if you’re new to Docker and have some troubles to install some basic packages you need, feel free to read this brief and clean documentation.

I am new to Docker too. Therefore, I get confused when I tried their service for the first time. However, trust me, once you learn how it works, you don’t want to go back to another IDE unless the project owner forced you to do that.

Free for an open-source project

Are you an open-source project contributor on Github? You’ll love this even more. There is no cost to use Gitpod service for an open-source project. 

If you’re not a contributor yet, this Gitpod service will help you to start contributing easily. You do not need to set up an IDE to clone the project you’re going to contribute.

How to apply the changes on Dockerfile

Closing and opening the IDE won’t work. I haven’t been able to find the reference on the documentation about this. So, here’s how to apply it after you update the Dockerfile

  • Push the changes to your Github repository.

  • Leave the tab, where your IDE runs, open. Don’t close it yet.

  • Open the Github repository page on your browser on the new tab.

  • Still, on this new tab, append the gitpod.io# at the front of the URL. Then, press enter

  • This will start a new IDE and apply the Dockerile changes.

  • Once you verify the Dockerfile changes is correct, you can open the old tab that’s running the old IDE

The only drawback for this way is you’ll end up with several IDE on your account. 

I don’t know if there’s another way to do this. So, if you know a better way, please let me know in the comment section below.


Categories: Cloud IDE  

Tags: cloud IDE   github   gitpod