Dev Container — Python

Overview

Configure a dev container for Python development using the official Python feature or base image. Supports version selection, tool installation via pipx, virtual environments, and JupyterLab.

Python Feature

{
  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/python:1": {
      "version": "3.12"
    }
  }
}

Feature Options

Full Example

{
  "name": "Python 3.12 Development",
  "image": "mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/python:3.12",
  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/github-cli:1": {}
  },
  "forwardPorts": [8000],
  "portsAttributes": {
    "8000": { "label": "App", "onAutoForward": "notify" },
    "8888": { "label": "Jupyter", "onAutoForward": "notify" }
  },
  "postCreateCommand": "pip install -r requirements.txt",
  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "extensions": [
        "ms-python.python",
        "ms-python.vscode-pylance",
        "ms-python.black-formatter",
        "charliermarsh.ruff"
      ],
      "settings": {
        "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/local/bin/python",
        "[python]": {
          "editor.defaultFormatter": "charliermarsh.ruff",
          "editor.formatOnSave": true
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Using the Base Image vs Feature

Virtual Environments

{
  "postCreateCommand": "python -m venv .venv && . .venv/bin/activate && pip install -r requirements.txt",
  "containerEnv": {
    "VIRTUAL_ENV": "/workspace/.venv",
    "PATH": "/workspace/.venv/bin:${containerEnv:PATH}"
  }
}

JupyterLab

{
  "features": {
    "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/python:1": {
      "version": "3.12",
      "installJupyterlab": true
    }
  },
  "forwardPorts": [8888],
  "postStartCommand": "jupyter lab --ip=0.0.0.0 --no-browser --NotebookApp.token=''"
}

Poetry / uv / PDM

For modern package managers, install them in postCreateCommand:

{
  "postCreateCommand": "pip install uv && uv sync",
  "containerEnv": {
    "UV_LINK_MODE": "copy"
  }
}

Best Practices

• Use the dedicated mcr.microsoft.com/devcontainers/python image for Python-only projects.
• Pin the Python version to a minor release (3.12, 3.11) for reproducibility.
• Prefer Ruff over separate flake8/black installs — it replaces multiple tools with a single fast one.
• Use postCreateCommand for pip install so dependencies are cached in Codespaces prebuilds.
• Set python.defaultInterpreterPath in VS Code settings to avoid interpreter selection prompts.
• For data science projects, enable installJupyterlab in the feature and forward port 8888.
• Use containerEnv to configure VIRTUAL_ENV if your project expects a venv.