devcontainers

Create devcontainers for local DigitalOcean App Platform app testing.

35|4|Updated Dec 28, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/digitalocean-labs/do-app-platform-skills --skill devcontainers
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: devcontainers
Source: https://github.com/digitalocean-labs/do-app-platform-skills/tree/main/skills/devcontainers
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/digitalocean-labs/do-app-platform-skills --skill devcontainers

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Set up local development environments that closely mirror production for DigitalOcean App Platform apps, enabling faster iteration and fewer deployment surprises.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Reference templates and workflows for creating devcontainers and docker-compose configurations
  • Guidance for adding a devcontainer to new or existing App Platform projects and running apps locally
  • Verification steps and best practices to ensure parity between local and production environments

Quick Start

Clone or copy the reference devcontainer into your project, then enable and customize COMPOSE_PROFILES in .devcontainer/devcontainer.json.

Frequently Asked Questions about devcontainers

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I set up a local development environment that mirrors DigitalOcean App Platform production?▼

You can achieve production parity by creating a devcontainer with docker-compose configurations that include backing services like Postgres, Redis, Kafka, and S3 to run and test your App Platform apps locally.

What is a devcontainer and when do I need it for App Platform apps?▼

A devcontainer is a local development environment defined by devcontainer.json that uses docker-compose to mirror production. You need it to iterate faster and catch deployment surprises before pushing App Platform changes.

How do I add a devcontainer to an existing project?▼

To add a devcontainer to an existing project, copy the reference devcontainer into your directory, enable and customize COMPOSE_PROFILES in .devcontainer/devcontainer.json, and configure your required backing services.

Can I test backing services like Postgres, Redis, Kafka, and S3 locally with a devcontainer?▼

Yes, devcontainers support testing apps locally with backing services such as Postgres, Redis, Kafka, and S3. These services are configured via docker-compose to ensure your local environment matches production.

What's the best way to ensure parity between local dev environments and production?▼

The best way to ensure production parity is using reference templates for devcontainers and docker-compose, then following verification steps and best practices to validate dependencies and components for reliable local execution.

Do I need docker-compose to use a devcontainer for local development?▼

Yes, docker-compose is required to define and run the multi-container backing services like Postgres and Redis alongside your app within the devcontainer, ensuring your local setup accurately mirrors production.