Feature Preview

You can enable Feature Preview from the Settings. This will enable a beta preview of some of the latest functionalities and features that are being actively developed. Some of them are user-facing features while others take place in the backstage.

You can disable Feature Preview at any time.

If you have suggestions on how we can improve a feature, please provide feedback by opening an issue.

Once you enable this, existing and new workspaces will automatically start with all beta features. Disabling this could make existing workspaces unstable.

Root Access

Root Access allows you to attain privileged control within a workspace and be able to run commands as root.

This feature also enables Docker in your workspace. Run sudo docker-up to start a Docker daemon.

Learn More

• KubeCon 2020 Live Session: Rootless Workspaces in Gitpod (YouTube)
• How to get sudo and root in your Gitpod workspace (GitHub issue)
• How to use docker and docker-compose in your Gitpod workspace (GitHub issue)

Default IDE

Gitpod uses Theia as its default IDE. This setting allows you to choose between Theia and Code editors.

You can choose between 2 options:

• Theia
• Code

There is also a private beta for allowing a custom IDE image for the default IDE. If you are interested, feel free to reach out through the contact form.