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Jeremy Ruppel
79fc8541ed
## 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
3.4 KiB
3.4 KiB
Your first template
The fastest way to create a template is with the template builder. The builder guides you through selecting base infrastructure, adding modules for IDEs and tools, and configuring your template, all without writing Terraform. Once your template is up and running, you can edit it in the Coder dashboard. Coder handles versioning for you so you can publish official updates or revert to previous versions.
In this tutorial, you'll create your first template from the Docker base template using the template builder.
Before you start
Use the previous section of this guide to set up Docker and Coder on your local machine to continue.
1. Log in to Coder
In your web browser, go to your Coder dashboard using the URL provided during setup to log in.
2. Open the template builder
Select Templates then New Template. The template builder opens and displays a list of base infrastructure templates.
3. Select a base template
Select the Docker Containers base template. This provides a working Docker-based workspace with the Coder agent pre-configured.
4. Add modules (optional)
The builder shows a list of available modules grouped by category. You can add IDEs like code-server (VS Code in the browser) or tools like git-clone. For your first template, you can skip this step and add modules later.
Select Continue to proceed.
5. Create your template
On the final step, fill in Name and Display name, then select Create Template. Coder composes the Terraform configuration, validates it, and creates your template.
6. Modify your template
Now you can modify your template to suit your team's needs.
Let's replace the golang package in the Docker image with the python3
package. You can do this by editing the template's Dockerfile directly in your
web browser.
In the Coder dashboard, select Templates then your first template.
In the drop-down menu, select Edit files.
Expand the build directory and select Dockerfile.
Edit build/Dockerfile to replace golang with python3.
Select Build template and wait for Coder to prepare the template for workspaces.
Select Publish version. In the Publish new version dialog, make sure Promote to active version is checked then select Publish.
Now when developers create a new workspace from this template, they can use Python 3 instead of Go.
For developers with workspaces that were created with a previous version of your template, Coder will notify them that there's a new version of the template.
You can also handle change management through your own repo and continuous integration.