consider adding gitpod or codespaces

[grst]

Setting up github codespaces or gitpod is a nice way of getting contributors started more quickly.

It essentially starts a virtual machine somewhere with a containerized workspace with all dev dependencies (pre-commit etc) readily installed. This VM serves a vscode web version, or can be connected to vscode desktop.

[adamgayoso]

I think the same way codespaces get setup also allows for using vscode devcontainers which can be a nice addition as well

[ivirshup]

Has anyone set this up for their project? I'd be interested in checking it out.

[grst]

Once again, I just know this from the nf-core project.

E.g. https://gitpod.io/#https://github.com/nf-core/rnaseq

I haven't really used it myself, but what I can tell from slack the experience is mostly positive so far, especially for new developers.

[adamgayoso]

Example here

https://github.com/scverse/scvi-tools/tree/main/.devcontainer

[ivirshup]

Is this something that could be added later or opt in?

I think this can make sense for some projects, especially larger ones like the core-tools. But not all, and it's an extra thing to maintain.

My concern is that it's an extra thing to maintain, and I would expect the image setup would break before most projects get a contributor. Especially if the current devs aren't using it.