Code-server: How do you get a website to auto deploy the code server?

[crazytaj]

I was wondering if there was some way to basically do what you guys did on coder.com. I want to be able to use the same password every time, and start it from a website. I do not really know how to do this, but I have root access to a Ubuntu 16.04 VPS so any help would be really cool.

[sr229]

Hey @crazytaj, you can self host! We provided examples written in docs/, you just need to expose it to the internet.

We provide two ways to host your instance: Docker or manual install.

[navin-moorthy]

@crazytaj You can write a Unit File in Systemd service for the code server to start and restart even after a VPS restart.

Part 1

[Unit]
Description=Code Server AutoStart
After=http://network.target 

[Service]
Type=simple
User=$USER
WorkingDirectory=/path/to/start/your/working/directory/inside/vscode
LimitNOFILE=infinity
LimitNPROC=infinity
LimitCORE=infinity
Restart=on-failure

ExecStart=/path/to/codeserver/binary --allow-http --password=xxxxxxx

[Install]
WantedBy=http://multi-user.target 

Then run the below commands

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start code-server.service
sudo systemctl enable code-server.service

This will start your code-server at theport 8443 and test this by directly going to your IP:8443 in the browser and the password you mentioned above will be the same untill you edit your Unit File.

Learn more about systemctl

---

Part 2

Do the Prerequisites Part and Step 4 in the below link to proxy your port 8443 to your own domain using nginx.

Digital Ocean Tutorial

[crazytaj]

I tried starting the code server, but I got a JSON error. It says unexpected end of file in some bootstrap directory. I can paste it in here if you want.

[haoteng10]

@crazytaj Just ignore the JSON error.

[crazytaj]

I cant because it causes the page to not load and fail

[navin-moorthy]

@crazytaj Did you try the docker file.?

[crazytaj]

I dont have docker installed, it is a vps with 1 gb of ram

[MichaelDesantis]

I think if you use the docker file and increase the RAM to 2gb things should work just fine.

[crazytaj]

I dont have enough for a 2gb vps, thats all I have. But I dont think that is the issue. The error it gives when I try to connect is about an unexpected end to a JSON file and was left hanging. If you need me to I can record me trying to install it.

[sr229]

the JSON error is minor, and we’re figuring out how to run code-server in Raspberry Pi Zero

[crazytaj]

Alright. Is there a way to get it to run successfully, or is it just a wait until it is fixed kind of deal?

[sr229]

Feel free to check it out at #140 for progress.

[coadler]

You could always add swap. Works well for me on a 600mb VM

[crazytaj]

what is swap?

[crazytaj]

never mind, it is just 'RAM' on the HD. Do you think more ram is needed for it to run? I thought I had successfully run it before but after I setup my web server, it isn't running. I tried doing it on a clean install of Ubuntu 16.04 but it didn't work either.

[crazytaj]

here is a video of the problem if it helps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jMiHl0Pqjc
ignore the background sounds. I was in class

[crytos]

Are you running the server behind nginx as a reverse proxy?

[crazytaj]

no, my server is running apache. I just moved into that folder for the editing part.

[code-asher]

@crazytaj Have you had a chance to try out v2? It might solve the problem. It's also possible Apache needs to be configured according to this: https://github.com/cdr/code-server/blob/master/doc/quickstart.md#apache-reverse-proxy

[crazytaj]

I haven't gotten a chance to check out v2 yet. Kinda got demoralized after my failed attempt at customizing the server. Might pick it up again.

[sr229]

Requesting further information. Failure to reply means it was fixed in your end and I'll close this automatically after 3 days.

[nhooyr]

If this is still a problem, please feel free to reopen.