How to Set Up GitHub Codespaces: A Simple Guide for Students

Introduction Is your laptop slow? Struggling to install heavy IDEs like VS Code, Java, or Python?

Good news — GitHub Codespaces lets you write, run, and deploy code entirely in the cloud, using just a browser.

In this blog, I’ll guide you step-by-step to set up GitHub Codespaces, a powerful tool especially useful for students with limited system resources.

What is GitHub Codespaces?

GitHub Codespaces is an online development environment hosted by GitHub. It lets you:

• Code in the browser with a full VS Code interface

• Use Linux-based development environments

• Run code without needing a powerful computer

• Access your workspace from any device, anywhere

Why Students Should Use It

• ✅ No need to install heavy tools like VS Code, Node.js, or Java

• ✅ Runs on GitHub’s cloud servers, not your local PC

• ✅ Supports all major programming languages

• ✅ Works great even on low RAM systems

• ✅ Free for most student use cases, especially with the GitHub Student Developer Pack

Let’s Set Up GitHub Codespaces Together!

Step 1: Upload Your Project to GitHub

If you haven’t already, create a GitHub repository and upload your project files.
You can do this on GitHub.com by clicking New repository and following the prompts

Step 2: Open Codespaces from Your Repo

• Go to your repo page on GitHub.

• Find the green “Code” button near the top right corner.

• Click it, and select the “Codespaces” tab.

• Then click “Create codespace on main” (or your branch name).

This will launch a cloud-hosted VS Code environment with your project.

Step 3: Add Container Configuration

To customize your development environment, you need a .devcontainer folder with config files.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac) to open the command palette.

• Type “dev” and select “Add Development Container Configuration Files”.

• Choose “Modify Existing Configuration” if the files exist, or “Create New Configuration” if not.

• Follow the prompts to add tools or languages your project needs.

Step 4: Rebuild the Container

After adding your configuration, you must rebuild the environment:

• Open the command palette again (Ctrl + Shift + P).

• Type “Rebuild Container” and select it.

VS Code will restart your Codespace with the new settings.

Step 5: You’re Ready to Code!

• The .devcontainer folder in your project now stores all setup info.

• Do not delete this folder — it keeps your environment consistent.

• You can now write, run, and debug your code entirely in the browser!

A Quick Heads-Up: Free Codespaces Hours

GitHub Codespaces gives you 60 free hours per month (usually enough for most students), but keep in mind:

• If you go over 60 hours, you may be charged according to GitHub’s pricing.

• Try to stop or delete your Codespaces when you’re not using them to save hours.

• You can check your remaining hours in your GitHub billing dashboard.

Bonus: Why Use GitHub Codespaces?

• No need for a powerful PC — all heavy lifting happens in the cloud.

• Works anywhere — just a browser and internet.

• Easy to share your exact dev environment with teammates.

• Free or low-cost for students with GitHub Student Pack.

Final Tips

• Take advantage of GitHub’s free Codespaces hours if you’re a student.

• Add a .devcontainer/devcontainer.json file to fully customize your environment.

• Explore VS Code extensions to boost productivity.

Hope you like it:)