Eclipse Che

Self-Hosted

Open-source cloud IDE for collaborative software development

Overview

Eclipse Che is a cloud-native, open-source IDE designed for collaborative work. It uses containerized workspaces to eliminate 'it works on my machine' issues, supporting languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript. Integrates with Kubernetes/Docker for deployment, offering real-time collaboration, VS Code extension compatibility, and built-in debuggers. Deployable on-premises, private clouds, or public platforms (AWS/GCP), ideal for distributed teams seeking scalable, self-hosted development tools.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  eclipse_che:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: eclipse-che
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Containerized, consistent development workspaces
Real-time collaborative coding environments
VS Code extension support & Kubernetes integration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Eclipse Che hard to install?

It depends on your setup. Docker Compose offers a simple start for small teams, while Kubernetes deployment requires basic cluster knowledge. Official docs provide step-by-step guides for both options.

? Is it a good alternative to GitHub Codespaces?

Yes! It’s a robust open-source alternative with self-hosting capabilities, avoiding vendor lock-in. It matches Codespaces’ cloud IDE features and adds containerized workspace consistency.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely. Eclipse Che is licensed under Apache 2.0—free to use, modify, and self-host. No subscription fees apply to the core platform; enterprise support is available via third parties.

Top Alternatives

GitHub Codespaces Search Google

AWS Cloud9 Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Software Development - IDE & Tools

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Self-hostable for full privacy and infrastructure control
⊕ Eliminates environment inconsistencies across teams

Cons

⊖ Requires Kubernetes or Docker infrastructure for deployment
⊖ Steeper learning curve for initial setup and configuration