As a Magento development agency, we understand that choosing the right local environment is critical for developer productivity. Each developer’s preference varies widely based on experience, project needs, and personal comfort.

Here’s a breakdown of the popular setups among our team and how each environment caters to different workflows.

Linux Virtual Machines: For the Power Users (Masochists)

Some of our seasoned developers prefer the “old-school” Linux VM setup. They’re used to it, and they’ve configured their environments for fast project switching and optimised multitasking. Here’s why Linux VMs remain popular:

Valet+: The Preferred Setup for Multi-Project Workflows

Valet+ is popular among our senior developers who prioritise simplicity and flexibility within their machines, without relying on virtual environments. It provides a one-time setup and allows for multi-project handling across multiple PHP versions.

Containers (Docker, Kubernetes, Orbstack): The Cool Gen?

These represent a significant evolution in local development environments, and many of our developers are adopting Docker, Kubernetes, or Orbstack. Containers ensure that all team members have an identical setup, eliminating the infamous “works on my machine” problem.

Cloud-Based Local Environments:

The latest development in local environments is cloud-based solutions, which are changing how teams approach web & platform development. Platforms like GitPod, GitHub Codespaces, and JetBrains CodeCanvas offer unique advantages, allowing developers to work without dependency on local machines. Here’s a closer look at each, with some insights on pricing and usability.

GitPod: Flexible and Cost-Effective

GitPod is a cloud-based solution that lets developers set up fully functional dev environments directly from a Git repository. It offers pay-as-you-go pricing, making it ideal for teams needing flexibility without long-term commitments.

• Pricing: Free tier with basic features; $9/month for unlimited hours; pay-as-you-go for larger teams.
• Ease of Use: Streamlined with browser-based IDEs and a Git-integrated setup that’s quick to start.
• Who It’s For: Developers looking for a budget-friendly option that integrates seamlessly with Git-based workflows.

GitHub Codespaces: Integrated and GitHub-Centric

GitHub Codespaces offers cloud environments directly integrated with GitHub, making it easy to maintain consistent environments across all projects. This is especially useful for teams already using GitHub for version control.

• Pricing: Starts at $0.18 per hour for standard instances; more for larger environments.
• Ease of Use: Ideal for teams already using GitHub, as it’s fully integrated and allows seamless access to projects.
• Who It’s For: Developers who need Git-based workflows with integrated cloud environments, making it simple to go from repository to workspace.

JetBrains CodeCanvas: High-Performance Cloud Development

JetBrains CodeCanvas provides a robust, cloud-based IDE experience specifically built for JetBrains users, offering a fully integrated environment with the familiar tools of JetBrains IDEs. This makes it especially valuable for complex development workflows that require high-performance computing resources.

• Pricing: Available as part of the JetBrains Space subscription; team plans start at $8 per user/month.
• Ease of Use: Ideal for those familiar with JetBrains IDEs, providing an in-cloud experience that feels similar to a local setup.
• Who It’s For: Developers seeking a high-performance cloud-based environment fully integrated with JetBrains products.

Final Thoughts

Each of these cloud-based options offers unique advantages, and the best fit depends on your team’s specific needs:

• GitPod is excellent for budget-conscious setups.
• GitHub Codespaces is a natural fit for GitHub-based workflows.
• JetBrains CodeCanvas provides a high-performance environment tailored to JetBrains IDE users.

These cloud solutions enable our developers at Dev Team to work from virtually any device, eliminating machine dependencies and allowing seamless task sharing. By choosing the right cloud-based setup, you can increase productivity, reduce costs, and make remote collaboration a breeze.

Closing Questions:

What advice would you give a developer or team choosing a local development environment today?

When selecting a local development environment, it’s essential to consider the specific needs of your projects, your team’s expertise, and the flexibility you desire. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Consider Team Consistency vs. Individual Preferences: If consistency across setups is crucial, containerized environments like Docker or cloud-based solutions like GitHub Codespaces can ensure that everyone works in a uniform environment, reducing compatibility issues. However, if individual productivity and comfort are priorities, allowing team members to choose their preferred setups (whether that’s Linux VMs, Valet+, or a cloud IDE) can boost satisfaction and efficiency.
  
• Evaluate Project Complexity and Scale: For teams managing multiple projects simultaneously, containers or lightweight tools like Valet+ might work well. But for large projects requiring significant resources and computing power, high-performance options like JetBrains CodeCanvas might be beneficial.
  
• Balance Cost and Flexibility: If budget and flexibility are primary concerns, GitPod’s pay-as-you-go model or Valet+ on a local machine can offer a cost-effective approach. However, if you want to future-proof your setup, cloud-based environments offer immense scalability and adaptability as your projects grow.

Ultimately, choose a setup that best aligns with your workflow and team dynamics. At Dev Team, we encourage developers to use environments that make them the most productive while still delivering high-quality work.

How do you see local development environments evolving in the next few years? Do you think cloud-based IDEs will take over?

The evolution of local development environments is moving toward greater accessibility, portability, and team collaboration, with cloud-based IDEs playing a significant role in this shift. Here’s how I see the landscape evolving:

• Growth of Cloud-Based Environments: Cloud IDEs like GitPod, GitHub Codespaces, and JetBrains CodeCanvas are likely to become even more popular due to their flexibility and ability to provide a fully configured development environment on any device. They reduce dependency on specific hardware, which is a huge plus for distributed and remote teams.
  
• Increased Emphasis on Collaboration: As cloud-based solutions advance, we’ll see a focus on features that enhance team collaboration. Real-time coding, easy environment sharing, and smoother handoffs for tasks like QA are areas where cloud IDEs excel, allowing for more efficient, synchronous team workflows.
  
• Balance Between Cloud and Local Flexibility: While cloud-based IDEs will continue growing, I don’t believe they will entirely replace local environments, especially in the short term. For developers who prefer fine-tuned, performance-intensive setups, local environments or hybrid setups that utilise both local and cloud components will remain relevant. It’s about having the flexibility to choose the best tools for each project’s unique demands.

In the coming years, I think we’ll see a hybrid model emerge, with local environments enhanced by cloud-based features that bridge the gap between performance, consistency, and accessibility. This approach will allow developers to leverage the best of both worlds based on project needs and team preferences.