Freedom251 › Container Development Environments
Dev Container CLI
What Dev Container CLI is
Dev Container CLI creates and configures a development container from a devcontainer.json file. It is the reference implementation of the Development Container Specification, intended both for direct use and for tools or services that support the specification. Its commands build images, start containers, run lifecycle steps, read configuration, execute commands, and manage features and templates. By default, builds and starts generate lockfiles that pin feature versions for reproducible results. The project describes using the CLI to prebuild configurations in CI or DevOps workflows; a GitHub Action and an Azure DevOps Task are also available for running a repository’s dev container in CI builds. The VS Code Dev Containers extension includes a CLI variation for opening a dev container in VS Code. The CLI is MIT-licensed and free, at no cost. Its standalone install script works on Linux and macOS with x64 and arm64. Windows desktop support is listed via WSL2. Installing the npm package requires Python and C/C++ tools to build one dependency. The project describes the CLI as being in active development.
Who it suits
The CLI suits developers who want to create or configure development containers directly, as well as tools and services that implement the Dev Container Specification. It also suits CI or DevOps workflows that prebuild container configurations.
What it does well
- Builds, starts, and manages development containers
- Generates lockfiles by default to pin feature versions
- Can be used to prebuild configurations in CI
- MIT-licensed and free
What to know first
- npm installation requires Python and C/C++ tools
- Windows desktop support is via WSL2
- Project is in active development
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | MIT-licensed CLI · install via script or npm | Free |
As containers.dev lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://containers.dev/.
- Choose the standalone install script on Linux or macOS with x64 or arm64.
- Alternatively, install the npm package with Python and C/C++ tools available to build its dependency.
- Use a devcontainer.json file to create and configure a development container.
- Use the CLI commands to build images, start containers, run lifecycle commands, or manage features and templates.
- For VS Code, use the CLI variation included with the Dev Containers extension.
Verdict
Dev Container CLI covers container setup and lifecycle commands, with default lockfiles for pinned feature versions. Check the installation requirements and Windows route that match your environment.
Questions
How much does Dev Container CLI cost?
The listed Free plan costs nothing.
Is Dev Container CLI open source?
Yes. The CLI is licensed under the MIT license.
Which platforms does it support?
Desktop platforms are Linux and macOS, with Windows via WSL2. The standalone install script works on Linux and macOS on x64 and arm64.
Can it be used in CI?
The project describes prebuilding dev container configurations in CI or DevOps workflows. A GitHub Action and an Azure DevOps Task are available for running a repository’s dev container in CI builds.
Does it integrate with VS Code?
The VS Code Dev Containers extension includes a CLI variation that can open a dev container in VS Code.
What is required to install the npm package?
Python and C/C++ tools are required to build one of its dependencies.
Facts from Dev Container CLI's own pages
- CI integrations
- The specification project says a GitHub Action and an Azure DevOps Task are available for running a repository’s dev container in CI builds. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- CI use
- The project describes using the CLI to prebuild dev container configurations in CI or DevOps workflows. · containers.dev, 4 Oct 2026
- Commands
- It includes commands to build images, start containers, run lifecycle commands, read configuration, execute commands, and manage features and templates. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Editor integration
- The VS Code Dev Containers extension includes a CLI variation that can open a dev container in VS Code. · containers.dev, 4 Oct 2026
- Installation requirement
- Installing the npm package requires Python and C/C++ tools to build one of its dependencies. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The CLI project is licensed under the MIT license. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The repository describes the CLI as being in active development. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The CLI creates and configures a development container from a devcontainer.json file. · containers.dev, 4 Oct 2026
- Reference implementation
- The Dev Container CLI is a reference implementation of the Development Container Specification. · containers.dev, 4 Oct 2026
- Reproducibility
- The CLI generates lockfiles by default when building or starting containers to pin feature versions for reproducible builds. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Supported environments
- The standalone install script works on Linux and macOS on x64 and arm64. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- The CLI is intended for direct use and for tools or services that support the Dev Container Specification. · containers.dev, 4 Oct 2026