Overview of Recipes

What is a Recipe?

A Recipe is a YAML-based configuration file that defines the resources, infrastructure, and setup required for a DevZero workspace. It specifies the base OS, installed software, dependencies, and configurations, ensuring reproducible environments for development.

Similar to a Dockerfile for containers, a Recipe defines how to provision and configure a workspace.

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Why Use Recipes?

Recipes standardize workspace creation, preventing configuration drift and ensuring consistency across teams. Key benefits:

• Consistent Environments – Eliminates "it works on my machine" issues.
• Reproducibility – Simplifies onboarding and debugging.
• Automation & Efficiency – Reduces setup time by automating dependencies and tool setup.

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How Recipes Work

1. Define the Recipe (YAML) – Specify:

   • OS and base image
   • Software dependencies
   • Commands for build, launch, and runtime

2. Save & Share – Store in DevZero’s Recipe Library for team-wide access.

3. Build & Launch:

   • Build-time: Configures base image and installs dependencies.
   • Launch-time: Starts services and applies configurations.
   • Run-time: Defines user environment for coding.

4. Use the Workspace – Developers get a pre-configured environment, ready for coding and testing.

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Example: Recipes as a Build Process

A Recipe is like a build script for development environments:

• Base Image → Defines the OS and system-level dependencies.
• Installations → Installs required tools, libraries, and services.
• Execution Steps → Runs configuration scripts and starts essential services.

This structured approach ensures that every workspace is fully set up from the start.

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Next Steps

Start writing your first Recipe: Creating a Recipe →