Open VSCode

Description

A fully functional VSCode integrated development environment (IDE) in the browser, based on the fully open-source version of VSCode.

Login is done via SRAM. The workspace also installs additional development tools:

Upon request we can help you to automate the installation of packages or automate other installations (e.g. tools for data transfer). Automating these steps will make it easier to work following our tips for responsible use.

Creation

Create a storage volume

If desired, first create a storage volume before creating the workspace.

See the Getting started page for more info about how and why to create a storage volume.

Create a workspace

In the Research Cloud portal click the ‘Create a new workspace’ button and follow the steps in the wizzard.

See the workspace creation manual page for more guidance.

NoteRequesting Access to the Catalog Item

Most Utrecht University users will already have access to this catalog item. If you cannot find this catalog item when creating a workspace:

  1. You need to request access to the Utrecht University Catalog Item Collection.
  2. Follow these steps to request access.
  3. Once approved, you’ll be able to create the workspaces.

Access

Accessing the Workspace using the yellow Access button

  1. Open your SURF Research Cloud portal.
  2. When you login to your SURF Research Cloud portal, you will see your dashboard. Here, look for your workspace and ensure that it is running. You can access it by simply clicking the yellow “Access” button which will redirect you to a new page.
  3. You can then log in with your institutional credentials (Solis ID for Utrecht University users) to access the workspace.

Since you’re already signed in to access SURF Research Cloud, you may not need to authenticate again.

Accessing the Workspace via the command line (SSH)

If you do not have an ssh key pair set up, you will need to generate one and add the public key to your SURF Research Cloud account. Follow the instructions to set up SSH access..

  1. Open the ‘Terminal’ application.
  2. In your terminal application type: ssh <ResearchCloud username>@<workspace ip address>

The ResearchCloud username is given on the “Profile”-Tab of the ResearchCloud portal page. The ip-address of the workspace is displayed on the (extendable) display tile of the workspace in the main (“Dashboard”) tab.

  1. Make sure you have installed an application that allows you to login using SSH: Git Bash (recommended), alternatively MobaXTerm

  2. Open your ‘Terminal’ application (e.g. Git Bash).

  3. In your terminal application type: ssh <ResearchCloud username>@<workspace ip address>

The ResearchCloud username is given on the “Profile”-Tab of the ResearchCloud portal page. The ip-address of the workspace is displayed on the (extendable) display tile of the workspace in the main (“Dashboard”) tab.

Note

If you just submitted a new public key or when the workspace is new, you might have to wait for a few minutes for this to work.

Data transfer options

See our data transfer manuals.

Usage

Working with Python Environments

This workspace includes uv, conda, and poetry for Python environment management. See the Python environment manual for best practices and getting started.

Terminal and Commands

Access the integrated terminal with Ctrl+` or via the Terminal menu. With sudo rights, you can install additional system packages using sudo apt install.

Tips

Sudo rights

Sudo rights can be obtained by adding collaboration members to the src_co_admin group in SRAM.

Members with sudo rights can install system-level packages and perform administrative tasks on the workspace.