Run Visual Studio Code, from a Docker container based on Debian 8 hosted on Windows and powered by Xming (a Windows X11 server).

Docker, Dockerfile, Docker Hub, linux, Xming, X11 server

Traditionally we see container running applications on the server side, leaving it's presentation layer to typically a browse or, to interacte with the container via a command prompt. However, it's also possible to run a container and use a X11 server to access a GUI. In this example, I'll explain how to run a container on a Windows environment to use Visual Studio Code.

A Docker Image available on Docker Hub:

• Visual-Studio-Code-on-Docker

• Xming

1. Configure Xming X Server x0.hosts file with your ip address (e.g.:)

localhost
192.168.1.7	

Note: default location is c:\Program Files (x86)\Xming\x0.hosts

1. Make sure Xming is install and configured

2. Open a PowerShell command prompt.

3. Set the DISPLAY environment variable (make sure to replace <localhost> with you own settings)

    PS> set-variable -name DISPLAY -value <localhost>:0.0

4. Run a Docker image in interactive mode (replace <docker_image> with the designated image or with your own):

    PS> docker run -it --privileged -e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY -v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix <docker_image>