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Codchi

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What Codchi is

Codchi manages project development environments with Nix, letting users install, update, and roll back setups reproducibly. Environment definitions are kept as code in a project repository, so projects can retain a distinct environment for each commit. Codchi runs Code Machines in isolated virtualized environments: WSL on Windows and LXD containers on Linux. Each Code Machine is a NixOS module, and Codchi supports NixOS options as well as its own. Host integration can provide a shell with the machine's tools and start-menu shortcuts for graphical applications. Documentation covers configuring VS Code, VSCodium, JetBrains IDEs, Vim, and Neovim inside a Code Machine. Codchi is free and open source under the MIT license, with runtime management, dependency locking, configuration as code, shell integration, and container support. Windows installation requires WSL 2.0.14 or later; Linux installation uses LXD, and Codchi is packaged with Nix there. macOS is not implemented, and the project is in beta, with possible bugs and incomplete features.

Who it suits

Codchi may suit developers who want reproducible project environments with isolation and host integration across Windows and Linux. Its documentation says simpler Nix-shell approaches may fit simpler projects.

What it does well

  • Environment definitions can be kept in the project repository.
  • Supports runtime management and dependency locking.
  • Code Machines use WSL on Windows and LXD on Linux.
  • MIT-licensed and open source.
  • Documentation covers several code editors.

What to know first

  • macOS is not implemented.
  • Windows requires WSL 2.0.14 or later.
  • Linux installation uses LXD and Nix packaging.
  • The project is in beta, with possible bugs or incomplete features.

Limits

Codchi does not currently support macOS. Windows installation depends on WSL 2.0.14 or later, and Linux installation depends on LXD; the project remains in beta.

Getting started

  1. Open https://codchi.dev/
  2. Install on Windows 10 or 11 with WSL 2.0.14 or later, or use Linux with LXD
  3. Define a Code Machine in the project repository
  4. Install, update, or roll back the environment with Codchi
  5. Configure VS Code, VSCodium, JetBrains, Vim, or Neovim inside the Code Machine

Verdict

Codchi combines reproducible Nix environments with isolation and host integration on Windows and Linux. Consider its platform prerequisites and beta status, particularly if you need macOS support.

Questions

What does Codchi cost?

Codchi is free and open source. The project uses the MIT license.

Which operating systems are supported?

Codchi runs on Windows and Linux. macOS is not currently implemented.

What does Windows installation require?

Windows installation instructions cover Windows 10 and 11 and require WSL 2.0.14 or later.

How does Codchi isolate environments?

It runs Code Machines in isolated environments using WSL on Windows and LXD containers on Linux.

Can environments be version controlled?

Yes. Code Machines are defined in code and checked into a project repository, allowing an environment for each commit.

Which editors can be configured?

Documentation covers VS Code, VSCodium, JetBrains IDEs, Vim, and Neovim inside a Code Machine.

Facts from Codchi's own pages

Beta status
Codchi is in beta and the maker warns that bugs and incomplete features may occur. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Editor integrations
Documentation describes configuring VS Code, VSCodium, JetBrains IDEs, Vim, and Neovim inside a Code Machine. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Host integration
Codchi can create host start-menu shortcuts for graphical applications and provide a shell with the machine's tools. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Isolation
Codchi runs code machines in isolated environments using virtualization such as WSL on Windows and LXD containers on Linux. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
License and funding
The GitHub repository identifies an MIT license and says the project is funded through aformatik's use of Codchi and professional services. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
License and vendor lock-in
The project README describes Codchi as fully open source, identifies an MIT license, and says the project avoids vendor lock-in. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Linux support
Linux installation uses LXD for virtualization, and Codchi is currently packaged with Nix on Linux. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
macOS availability
The installation guide says macOS is not currently implemented. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
macOS limitation
The installation page says macOS is not implemented. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
NixOS compatibility
A Code Machine is a NixOS module, and Codchi supports NixOS options alongside its own options. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Project configuration
Code Machines are defined in code and checked into a repository so projects can retain an environment for each commit. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Project setup
Development environments are defined in code in the project repository, supporting setup automation and an environment for each project commit. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose
Codchi manages a project's development environment using Nix so it can be installed, updated, and rolled back reproducibly. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Recommended use
The documentation says Codchi is suited to environments needing proper isolation and host integration across Windows and Linux; simpler Nix-shell approaches may suit simpler projects. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Related tools
Codchi can be used alongside devenv.sh or Flox, which provide the development environment while Codchi provides consistency and host integration across Windows and Linux. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Reproducibility
Codchi installs, updates, and rolls back environments, and its homepage describes them as bit-for-bit reproducible across machines. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Secrets
Codchi's design documentation describes secrets as stored on the host and provided to a Code Machine when it starts; it says host-side storage should preferably be encrypted. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Security and isolation
The maker says Codchi can provide isolated environments and describes secret management as a capability enabled by host operating-system integration. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Standards and portability
The homepage says every NixOS module is a valid Code Machine and every Code Machine is a valid NixOS module. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Support
The project offers community support through GitHub Issues and describes professional feature assistance, troubleshooting, training, and consulting through aformatik. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Windows support
Installation instructions cover Windows 10 and 11 and require WSL 2.0.14 or later. · codchi.dev, 3 Oct 2026

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