The directory (~/.docker/devenvironments) confuse me.

[iFanze]

• I have tried with the latest version of Docker Desktop
• I have tried disabling enabled experimental features
• I have uploaded Diagnostics
• Diagnostics ID:

Expected behavior

When creating a new docker dev environment, I can choose one of the sources:

• Exsiting Git repo (using Volume)
• Local directory (using Bind-Mount)

Either of them will create a folder under ~/.docker/devenvironments, with a file devenv.log.

When I select Local directory, it works as expected: default compose-dev.yaml file was created under my directory. I can connect to the container in vscode, and edit the file to change the image to my customized image. After deleting and restarting the container, it takes effect.

However, when I choose "Exsiting Git repo", it behaves different out of my expectation. I cannot change the image this way (edit the file in vscode).

Actual behavior

From my observation, to modify compose-dev.yaml file in the volume by vscode has no effect. But it's useful if I modify ~/.docker/devenvironments/[devenv-name]/repository/compose-dev.yaml file in macOS.

My question:

• Why is there ~/.docker/devenvironments/[devenv-name]/repository directory? This copy seems to be useless because the git repository will be cloned to the docker volume as well (which can be accessed by vscode).
• On the contrary, why ~/.docker/devenvironments/[devenv-name]/repository/compose-dev.yaml take effect but not the file under the docker volume? It's very obscure and inconvenient. So what is the best way to modify the compose-dev.yaml file?

Information

• macOS Version: 13.1 (22C65)
• Intel chip or Apple chip: M1 Pro
• Docker Desktop Version: 4.16.2 (95914)

Output of /Applications/Docker.app/Contents/MacOS/com.docker.diagnose check

Steps to reproduce the behavior

1. ...
2. ...

[StefanScherer]

Thanks for the report. Dev Environments is still a beta feature with some rough edges here and there. This is good feedback and we'll discuss in the team how to improve these local folders.