Open
Description
Summary
We need to document the key differences between code-server (from Coder) and VS Code Web (from Microsoft) to help users understand the benefits and trade-offs.
Background
This came up in discussions with [tech lead] and should be added to our documentation.
Key Differences to Document
- Settings Storage: code-server stores user settings on remote disk vs Code Web in browser
- Marketplace Configuration: code-server supports configurable marketplace via flags/env vars, uses Open VSX by default
- Telemetry: code-server allows configurable telemetry endpoint
- Web Views: Code Web uses Microsoft CDN, code-server is self-contained
- Proxy Integration: code-server integrates with Coder's proxy for ports panel
- External File Access: code-server allows opening files from web terminal
- Path-based State: code-server has fixes for state collisions with path-based routing
- File Operations: code-server has options to disable downloads/uploads
- Proposed API: Always enabled in code-server, restricted in Code Web
- Clipboard Integration: code-server supports piping text to clipboard from terminal
- Display Languages: Language pack extensions work in code-server, not Code Web
- Sourcemaps: code-server loads locally vs CDN (though currently broken)
- Authentication: code-server has optional login form
- Built-in Proxy: code-server includes development proxy (not needed with Coder)
- Health Endpoint: code-server provides
/healthz
endpoint
Acceptance Criteria
- Create comprehensive documentation comparing code-server vs VS Code Web
- Include practical implications for Coder users
- Add to appropriate section of docs
- Review with engineering team for accuracy