Self-host code-server
updated Sep 2026deployed by usprices checked · Jul 2026Install verified on Ubuntu 26.04 · Sep 2026 · how we test
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VS Code running on a server and opened in the browser, so you can edit code and use a terminal on a remote machine from any device. It is maintained by Coder and protected by a password by default.
Key facts
CategoryDeveloper tools
LicenseMIT
StackTypeScript, Node.js
Min RAM1024 MB
Official imageyes
Measured idle RAM120 MB
Difficulty
What you need
- Any VPS with at least 1024 MB of RAM
- A domain you control — most self-hosted setups need HTTPS in front of them
- Under an hour if you've used Docker before
Where to host itaffiliate disclosure
Hetzner Cloudrun it on
From $23.59/mo · 2 vCPU / 4 GB / 80 GB · EU + USKamaterafree trial
From $4/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 20 GB · US + EU + AsiaDigitalOceanalso works on
From $6/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 25 GB · US + EU + AsiaPaid link — we earn a commission if you shop through it.
Install
Run these commands on your server:
# code-server — official Docker image, bound to localhost as upstream recommends
mkdir -p ~/.config ~/.local ~/project
docker run -d --name code-server --restart unless-stopped -p 127.0.0.1:8080:8080 \
-v "$HOME/.local:/home/coder/.local" -v "$HOME/.config:/home/coder/.config" \
-v "$HOME/project:/home/coder/project" -u "$(id -u):$(id -g)" -e "DOCKER_USER=$USER" \
codercom/code-server:latest
# password: cat ~/.config/code-server/config.yaml
# reach it via: ssh -L 8080:127.0.0.1:8080 you@SERVER_IP, then open http://localhost:8080More self-hosted tools
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