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  1. Dev Containers
  2. Start Dev Container from scratch
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Start Dev Container from scratch

Last modified: 10 March 2025

Check Prerequisites and Limitations

You can create a new Dev Container using a devcontainer.json file and the configuration options it offers.

The easiest way to start is to pull an image (a predefined template) for your devcontainer.json file from a container registry (the collection of repositories with the predefined images).

Create a Dev Container

  1. Open a project in IntelliJ IDEA.

  2. In the Project view, right-click the name of your project and select New | Dev Container Config.

  3. In the dialog that opens, IntelliJ IDEA displays a default container configuration. If you want, you can select other Dev Container templates from the Dev Container Template list.

    Create a new Dev Container

  4. Click OK.

    IntelliJ IDEA generates the .devcontainer directory with the devcontainer.json file that contains the container description. You can customize the configuration as needed.

    Dev Container result

  5. In the left gutter, click Create Dev Container and select Create Dev Container and Mount Sources to build your Dev Container.