mirror of https://github.com/coder/coder.git synced 2026-09-23 22:20:22 +08:00

Files

T

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

5.6 KiB

Raw Blame History

Add an Envbuilder template

A Coder administrator adds an Envbuilder-compatible template to Coder. This allows the template to prompt the developer for their dev container repository's URL as a parameter when they create their workspace. Envbuilder clones the repo and builds a container from the devcontainer.json specified in the repo.

You can create template files through the Coder dashboard, CLI, or you can choose a template from the Coder registry:

Dashboard

In the Coder dashboard, select Templates > New Template. The template builder opens.
The template builder does not currently include dev-container-compatible base templates. Select Upload an existing template at the bottom of the page to upload your Terraform files directly.
Upload your .zip or .tar.gz file, enter the details, then select Create template.
Edit the template files to fit your deployment.

CLI

Use the template init command to initialize your choice of image:
```
coder template init --id kubernetes-devcontainer
```
A list of available templates is shown in the templates_init reference.
cd into the directory and push the template to your Coder deployment:
```
cd kubernetes-devcontainer && coder templates push
```
You can also edit the files or make changes to the files before you push them to Coder.

Registry

Go to the Coder registry and select a dev container-compatible template.
Copy the files to your local device, then edit them to fit your needs.
Upload them to Coder through the CLI or dashboard:
- CLI:
```
coder templates push <template-name> -d <path to folder containing main.tf>
```
- Dashboard:
1. Create a .zip of the template files:
  - On Mac or Windows, highlight the files and then right click. A "compress" option is available through the right-click context menu.
  - To zip the files through the command line:
```
zip templates.zip Dockerfile main.tf
```
2. Select Templates.
3. Select Create Template, then Upload template:
4. Drag the .zip file into the Upload template section and fill out the details, then select Create template.

To set variables such as the namespace, go to the template in your Coder dashboard and select Settings from the ⋮ (vertical ellipsis) menu:

Choose Settings from the template's menu

Envbuilder Terraform provider

When using the Envbuilder Terraform provider, a previously built and cached image can be reused directly, allowing dev containers to start instantaneously.

Developers can edit the devcontainer.json in their workspace to customize their development environments:

# …
{
  "features": {
      "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/common-utils:2": {}
  }
}
# …

Example templates

Template	Description
Docker dev containers	Docker provisions a development container.
Kubernetes dev containers	Provisions a development container on the Kubernetes cluster.
Google Compute Engine dev container	Runs a development container inside a single GCP instance. It also mounts the Docker socket from the VM inside the container to enable Docker inside the workspace.
AWS EC2 dev container	Runs a development container inside a single EC2 instance. It also mounts the Docker socket from the VM inside the container to enable Docker inside the workspace.

Your template can prompt the user for a repo URL with parameters:

Dev container lifecycle scripts

The onCreateCommand, updateContentCommand, postCreateCommand, and postStartCommand lifecycle scripts are run each time the container is started. This could be used, for example, to fetch or update project dependencies before a user begins using the workspace.

Lifecycle scripts are managed by project developers.

Next steps

Envbuilder security and caching

5.6 KiB Raw Blame History