opensource/coder
3
0
Fork 0
mirror of https://github.com/coder/coder.git synced 2026-09-23 14:03:57 +08:00
Code Issues Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity
15,280 Commits 479 Branches 388 Tags
27ed052d86b5c8a630ccaff45ca39632da2c419c
Commit Graph
3 Commits
Author SHA1 Message Date
Jeremy Ruppel 79fc8541ed docs: update template creation docs for template builder (#26993) 
## Summary

Update documentation across 9 files to present the template builder as
the primary template creation method, replacing the old starter
templates flow as the default entry point.

The template builder is a guided wizard that lets admins select base
infrastructure, add registry modules, configure variables, and produce
validated Terraform without writing HCL.

## Changes

**Primary docs (significant rewrites):**
- `docs/admin/templates/creating-templates.md`: Added "Using the
template builder" as the first section with full 5-step wizard
documentation, screenshots, airgap/registry notes, and alternative
creation links. Moved CLI starter template flow to its own section.
Fixed "You can the" typo.
- `docs/get-started/index.md`: Rewrote Steps 4-6 to use the builder with
the Docker base template instead of the Coder Quickstart (which is not a
builder base template). Generalized workspace parameter instructions.
- `docs/start/first-template.md`: Rewrote to use the builder. Removed
old starter templates references, TODO notes, typo, and commented-out
sections.

**Secondary docs (targeted edits):**
- `docs/admin/templates/index.md`: Replaced starter templates section
with builder-first "Create a template" section.
- `docs/admin/templates/managing-templates/index.md`: Renamed "Starter
templates" to "Creating templates" pointing to the builder.
- `docs/install/airgap.md`: Added "Template builder" section documenting
`CODER_DISABLE_TEMPLATE_BUILDER` and
`CODER_TEMPLATE_BUILDER_REGISTRY_URL`.
- `docs/tutorials/template-from-scratch.md`: Added TIP callout
recommending the builder. Fixed `coder templates create` -> `coder
templates push` inconsistency.
- `docs/admin/integrations/devcontainers/envbuilder/add-envbuilder.md`:
Updated Dashboard tab to reference the builder and "Upload an existing
template" alternative.
- `docs/about/screenshots.md`: Updated caption and image reference for
template builder.

**Screenshots added:**
- `templatebuilder_01_bases.png` (base selection step)
- `templatebuilder_02_modules.png` (module selection step)
- `templatebuilder_03_module_customization.png` (module settings step)
- `templatebuilder_04_customizations.png` (template customizations step)

<details>
<summary>Implementation plan</summary>

# Plan: Update docs/ for Template Builder Launch

## Summary

The Template Builder is a new guided wizard at `/templates/new/builder`
that lets admins create templates by selecting a base infrastructure
template, composing it with registry modules, configuring variables, and
producing a validated Terraform bundle without writing HCL. The docs
need to be updated to present this as the primary/recommended template
creation path, while preserving the existing paths (upload, CLI,
duplicate) as alternatives.

## Key behavioral facts from the code

- **Route**: `/templates/new/builder` (new), `/templates/new` (old,
still exists)
- **Entry point**: The "New Template" button on the Templates page links
to `/templates/new/builder` when the builder is enabled; otherwise falls
back to `/starter-templates`
- **5-step wizard**:
  1. **Select base infrastructure** (e.g., Docker, AWS EC2, Kubernetes)
  2. **Base template parameters** (optional, skipped if base has none)
3. **Select modules** (IDE, AI Agent, Source Control, etc.;
multi-select, grouped by category)
4. **Module settings** (optional, skipped if no configurable variables)
5. **Template customizations** (name, display name, description, icon,
organization)
- **Alternative creation links** are shown on step 1: "Start from
scratch", "Upload an existing template", "Browse community templates",
"Use template agent skill"
- **Disabled via**: `CODER_DISABLE_TEMPLATE_BUILDER` env var /
`--disable-template-builder` flag. When disabled, redirects to old
`/templates/new` flow
- **Registry URL override**: `CODER_TEMPLATE_BUILDER_REGISTRY_URL`
(default: `registry.coder.com`)
- **Requires outbound access** to `registry.coder.com` for `terraform
init` at compose time
- **Modules are bundled** with the Coder release binary; the builder
does not fetch metadata from the registry at runtime
- **Sensitive variables** (secrets) are not collected by the builder;
they are deferred to workspace creation time
- **Module conflicts** show a warning but do not block creation
- **One-way**: No re-entry into the builder for existing templates; edit
HCL directly after creation

## Files to update

### Tier 1: Primary creation flow docs (significant rewrites)

#### 1. `docs/admin/templates/creating-templates.md`

**Current state**: Documents three creation paths: "From a starter
template" (primary), "From an existing template", "From scratch
(advanced)".

**Changes**:
- Add a new section **"Using the template builder"** as the first and
primary section (before "From a starter template").
- Describe the 5-step wizard flow: select base infrastructure, configure
base parameters, select modules, configure module settings, set template
customizations.
- Mention that the builder is enabled by default and requires outbound
access to `registry.coder.com`.
- Note that sensitive variables are collected from developers at
workspace creation, not during template building.
- Add a callout about disabling the builder for airgapped deployments
(`CODER_DISABLE_TEMPLATE_BUILDER`).
- Note the `CODER_TEMPLATE_BUILDER_REGISTRY_URL` option for self-hosted
registry mirrors.
- Keep existing "From a starter template", "From an existing template",
and "From scratch" sections largely intact, but reframe them as
alternative paths.
- Update the "From a starter template" Web UI instructions to note the
new entry point routing (the "New Template" button now goes to the
builder when enabled).
- Fix existing typo: "You can the [Coder CLI]" should be "You can use
the [Coder CLI]".

#### 2. `docs/start/first-template.md`

**Current state**: Beginner tutorial walking through creating a template
from the Docker starter template via the old flow. Has a typo (`s` at
end of line 32), commented-out workspace creation section, and TODO
notes.

**Changes**:
- Rewrite steps 2 and 3 to use the Template Builder as the primary path.
- Step 2: Navigate to **Templates**, select **New Template**, which
opens the Template Builder.
- Step 3: Walk through the builder wizard steps (select Docker base,
optionally select modules like code-server, configure template
name/description, create).
- Remove the typo on line 32 (`s`).
- Keep the "Modify your template" section (step 6) intact since it
covers post-creation editing which is unchanged.
- Remove or update the reference to "Starter Templates" as a separate
page since the builder subsumes that entry point.

#### 3. `docs/get-started/index.md`

**Current state**: Quickstart guide. Step 4 says "Select **Templates** →
**New Template**" then pick "Coder Quickstart" from starter templates.

**Changes**:
- Update Step 4 to describe using the Template Builder.
- The flow becomes: Select **Templates** → **New Template** → builder
opens → select **Coder Quickstart** as the base template → optionally
add modules → set name/description → **Create Template**.
- Update the "What just happened?" explanation to mention the builder
composed and validated the Terraform.
- Screenshot reference `create-quickstart-template.png` will need a new
screenshot (note this in the PR; screenshots are out of scope for this
change but should be flagged).

### Tier 2: Secondary references (targeted edits)

#### 4. `docs/admin/templates/index.md`

**Current state**: Overview page mentioning starter templates as the
primary creation path.

**Changes**:
- Update the "Starter templates" section to mention the Template Builder
as the recommended way to create templates, with starter templates
serving as base templates within the builder.
- Update the link to point to the builder section: `[Create a template
with the template
builder](./creating-templates.md#using-the-template-builder)`.
- Update the screenshot reference and caption. The "Starter Templates"
page screenshot may no longer be the first thing admins see.

#### 5. `docs/admin/templates/managing-templates/index.md`

**Current state**: Documents starter templates, editing, updating,
deleting.

**Changes**:
- Update the "Starter templates" section to mention the Template Builder
as the primary creation path, with starter templates available as base
templates within it.
- Update the image reference from `starter-templates.png` if it shows
the old flow.

#### 6. `docs/tutorials/template-from-scratch.md`

**Current state**: Detailed tutorial for writing a template from scratch
with Terraform.

**Changes**:
- Add a brief note at the top recommending the Template Builder for
users who want to create templates without writing Terraform, with a
link to
`docs/admin/templates/creating-templates.md#using-the-template-builder`.
- In section "7. Create the template in Coder" → "Dashboard" tab, update
the UI steps. The "Upload template" option is now accessed via the old
creation flow at `/templates/new` (or through the "Upload an existing
template" link in the builder's alternatives).
- Fix the inconsistency where text says `coder templates create` but the
code block uses `coder templates push`.

#### 7.
`docs/admin/integrations/devcontainers/envbuilder/add-envbuilder.md`

**Current state**: Documents creating envbuilder templates via
Dashboard, CLI, and Registry tabs.

**Changes**:
- In the Dashboard tab, update the instructions. The "Create Template"
button now opens the builder by default. Users need to use the "Upload
an existing template" alternative link or navigate to `/templates/new`
directly.
- Update "From scratch" reference since that option is now an
alternative link in the builder.
- The CLI and Registry tabs remain unchanged.

#### 8. `docs/install/airgap.md`

**Current state**: Documents air-gapped installations. No mention of
Template Builder.

**Changes**:
- Add a note in the relevant section about the Template Builder
requiring outbound access to `registry.coder.com`.
- Document `CODER_DISABLE_TEMPLATE_BUILDER` for fully air-gapped
deployments.
- Document `CODER_TEMPLATE_BUILDER_REGISTRY_URL` for deployments using a
self-hosted registry mirror.

#### 9. `docs/about/screenshots.md`

**Current state**: Contains a caption "Template administrators can
either create a new Template from scratch or choose a Starter Template".

**Changes**:
- Update the caption to mention the Template Builder as the primary
creation method.
- Screenshot reference may need updating (flag for new screenshot).

### Tier 3: Minor/link-only updates

#### 10. `docs/admin/users/organizations.md`

- If it references the old "Create Template" screen with an org picker,
add a note that the Template Builder also includes organization
selection in its final step.

#### 11. `docs/ai-coder/tasks.md`

- If it mentions creating templates, add a passing reference to the
Template Builder as an option.

## Files NOT to update

- `docs/reference/api/templatebuilder.md`: Auto-generated API reference.
Already correct.
- `docs/reference/api/schemas.md`: Auto-generated. Already correct.
- `docs/reference/cli/server.md`: Auto-generated. Already has
`--disable-template-builder` and `--template-builder-registry-url`.
- `docs/reference/cli/templates_create.md`: Already deprecated.
- `docs/reference/cli/templates.md`: No changes needed.

## Implementation order

1. `docs/admin/templates/creating-templates.md` (primary creation docs,
most content)
2. `docs/get-started/index.md` (quickstart)
3. `docs/start/first-template.md` (beginner tutorial)
4. `docs/admin/templates/index.md` (overview)
5. `docs/admin/templates/managing-templates/index.md` (managing
overview)
6. `docs/install/airgap.md` (airgap note)
7. `docs/tutorials/template-from-scratch.md` (from-scratch tutorial)
8. `docs/admin/integrations/devcontainers/envbuilder/add-envbuilder.md`
(envbuilder)
9. `docs/about/screenshots.md` (screenshot captions)
10. Minor link/reference updates in tier 3 files

## Style notes

- Follow the Diataxis framework; keep tutorials as tutorials, reference
as reference.
- Use present tense, active voice, second person.
- Bold for UI elements: **Templates**, **New Template**, **Create
Template**.
- No emdash/endash.
- Do not add screenshots; flag where new screenshots are needed as
comments/TODOs.
- Run `make fmt/markdown` and `make lint/markdown` after all changes.
- Verify all pages are already in `docs/manifest.json` (no new pages
being added, only existing pages being updated).

</details>

> 🤖 Generated by Coder Agents
 2026-07-06 11:15:59 -04:00
Nick Vigilante e458692cb8 refactor(docs): convert absolute coder/coder blob/tree/main links to relative (DOCS-351) (#26341) 
Closes [DOCS-351](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-351).

> [!WARNING]
> **DO NOT MERGE** until
[DOCS-349](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-349)
([coder.com#877](https://github.com/coder/coder.com/pull/877)) has
shipped to production and baked for at least one Vercel cycle.
>
> Without DOCS-349, the relative links in this PR resolve to broken
docs-route URLs (`/docs/helm/coder/values.yaml` -> 404) instead of
GitHub URLs tagged with the displayed docs version. DOCS-349 fixes the
rewriter to classify these as GitHub blob/tree URLs with the page's
resolved ref.

## TL;DR

Converts 121 absolute
`https://github.com/coder/coder/(blob|tree)/main/<path>` links across 39
docs markdown files to relative paths. After this lands AND DOCS-349
deploys, every one of these links will follow the displayed docs version
(mainline tag on bare URLs, explicit tag on `/@vX.Y.Z/`, `main` on
`/@main/`) instead of always pointing to `main`.

## Why

Today a reader on `/docs/@v2.30.0/install/docker` follows a
`compose.yaml` link and arrives at `main`'s `compose.yaml`, which
doesn't necessarily match what the docs page describes. Helm values,
Terraform templates, and source-code references in particular drift
across versions. The fix is to let the coder.com rewriter substitute the
page's resolved ref into the URL; that only works on relative links.

## Example payoff (post-DOCS-349)

| URL | Today (absolute, always `main`) | After (relative + rewriter) |
|---|---|---|
| `/docs/install/docker` |
`https://github.com/coder/coder/blob/main/compose.yaml` |
`https://github.com/coder/coder/blob/v2.34.1/compose.yaml` (today's
mainline) |
| `/docs/@v2.30.0/install/docker` | same as above |
`https://github.com/coder/coder/blob/v2.30.0/compose.yaml` |
| `/docs/@main/install/docker` | same as above |
`https://github.com/coder/coder/blob/main/compose.yaml` |

## Scope

- **121 conversions** across **39 files**.
- Verb breakdown: `tree/main` (directories) and `blob/main` (files),
both flipped to relative paths.
- Line anchors (`#L23-L24`) and query strings preserved verbatim.
- Conversion is mechanical: relative path computed from the doc file's
directory to the target via `os.path.relpath`. Any path starting at the
same directory or below gets a `./` prefix; otherwise `../` chains.

## Rebased on main

The branch was rebased onto `main` after the DOCS-350 hotfix
([#26339](https://github.com/coder/coder/pull/26339)) merged. The hotfix
repointed 3 `docs-backend-contrib-guide` refs in `backend.md` to `main`,
which then needed the same `main` -> relative conversion this PR is
doing for the other 121 links. The conflict was resolved by reapplying
the mechanical conversion to `backend.md` after taking the hotfix's
content. Net result: those 3 links land here as relative, same as
everything else. New HEAD `3f501cb622`.

## Inline fix folded in: dead `nix` link

- `docs/about/contributing/CONTRIBUTING.md:7` -> `../../../nix`

The original absolute URL `https://github.com/coder/coder/tree/main/nix`
already returned 404 today. Repointed to `flake.nix` (modern Nix
entrypoint, what the prose "Nix environment" semantically refers to).
Closes [DOCS-357](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-357) here since
the `check-docs` Linkspector job surfaced it during rebase; cheaper to
fix inline than in a separate single-line PR.

## Out of scope (filed separately)

- [DOCS-350](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-350): 3 dead
`docs-backend-contrib-guide` branch refs in `backend.md`
([#26339](https://github.com/coder/coder/pull/26339), merged).
- [DOCS-352](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-352): 10 SHA-pinned
`(blob|tree)/<sha>` links pending intent review.
- [DOCS-355](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-355): code-server
analog (4 absolute `(blob|tree)/main` links in `coder/code-server`).
- [DOCS-356](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-356): 2 upstream
content bugs in `coder/code-server/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md` (independent of
this PR).


## Not triggering `/coder-agents-review`

Docs-only edit; per `AGENTS.md` the bot review is reserved for
product/CI changes.

## Pre-mortem

| Concern | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Merging before DOCS-349 deploys regresses ~120 currently-working links
into 404s on coder.com | Clear DO-NOT-MERGE banner; tracked as blocker
in Linear. |
| Relative path computed incorrectly (off-by-one `..`) | Verified all
114 newly-relative non-md/non-image paths resolve to existing files in
the repo (only exception is the pre-existing dead `nix` link above). |
| Line anchors stripped during conversion | Preserved by the
substitution regex; verified `#L<n>-L<m>` cases in `airgap.md` and
`speed-up-templates.md`. |
| Future code reorgs change file locations | Relative links will start
pointing to nothing. Same failure mode as absolute links pointing to
renamed files; can be caught with a future link-checker job. |

## Validation

```
$ grep -rE 'github\.com/coder/coder/(blob|tree)/main' docs --include="*.md" | wc -l
0
$ git diff --stat origin/main | tail -1
39 files changed, 118 insertions(+), 118 deletions(-)
```

114 newly-relative paths verified to resolve to existing repo files
(Python `os.path.exists` check on each computed target).

<details>
<summary>Decision log + planning context</summary>

**Why relative over `(blob|tree)/{{currentDocsVersion}}/...`
templating**: relative paths require zero markdown-system support and
zero upstream churn beyond this one PR. Templating would require a
preprocessor on `coder.com` side AND a convention upstream authors have
to remember; relative paths just work in a plain editor and
`github.com`'s own renderer too.

**Why `./` prefix on same-directory targets**: makes the conversion
grep-able later (`grep -E '\((\.\./|\./)'`).

**Why preserve `#L<n>-L<m>` anchors verbatim**: the anchor is meaningful
to the linked file's content, not to the URL form; keeping it as-is
preserves authorial intent. If the file later changes such that the line
range drifts, that's a different problem the SHA-pin audit
([DOCS-352](https://linear.app/codercom/issue/DOCS-352)) will surface.

</details>

---

*Generated by Coder Agents on @nickvigilante's behalf.*





## Drive-by external link fix folded in

`docs/about/contributing/CONTRIBUTING.md:296` cited
`https://reflectoring.io/meaningful-commit-messages/` which is returning
HTTP 503 (the host appears to be down site-wide right now). `check-docs`
Linkspector flagged it after the rebase. Replaced with
`https://cbea.ms/git-commit/` (Chris Beams' canonical "If applied, this
commit will..." article, confirmed 200), which is the original source of
the rule the prose recites anyway.
 2026-06-22 11:39:12 -04:00
Mathias Fredriksson 97bc7eb9e5 docs: restructure dev container documentation (#21157) 
Dev container admin docs were scattered across two locations: the Docker-based
integration under extending-templates/ and Envbuilder under managing-templates/.
There was no landing page explaining that two approaches exist or helping admins
choose between them.

This moves everything under admin/integrations/devcontainers/ with a decision
guide at the top. Dev containers are an integration with the dev container
specification, so integrations/ is a natural fit alongside JFrog, Vault, etc.

Stub pages remain at the original locations for discoverability.

New structure:

  admin/integrations/devcontainers/
  ├── index.md                                # Landing page + decision guide
  ├── integration.md                          # Docker-based dev containers
  └── envbuilder/
      ├── index.md
      ├── add-envbuilder.md
      ├── envbuilder-security-caching.md
      └── envbuilder-releases-known-issues.md

Refs #21080
 2025-12-09 13:03:02 +02:00