Title: Developing WordPress in a cloud-based IDE
Last modified: August 30, 2016

---

# Developing WordPress in a cloud-based IDE

 *  [ronald.fuquay](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronaldfuquay-1/)
 * (@ronaldfuquay-1)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/)
 * So lately I have been looking at making my development environment mobile.
 * Here are the reasons that are behind this change:
    - I wanted an easy way to show the work in progress to a client for approvals,
      etc. Since I am currently tied to my desktop at home, my process is either
      have them come over to my house to view or send screenshots, etc. I could 
      set up a staging server, but that is still not ideal as there is a bunch of
      syncing you have to do between the two environments every time you need client
      aproval.
    - Also, I am sick of being stuck in one location to do any development. Sometimes
      I might want a change of scenery, coding from the couch..check, a coffee shop,
      why not. I am tired of the 4 walls in my office.
 * Now to rectify this, I have two options. Investing in a good, long-term laptop
   or using an online IDE like Cloud 9, Koding, Codeenvy, Nitrous, or WPide.net
 * I am not sold on going the Primary Laptop route because while the device is mobile,
   I am still tied to that device. I couldnt log into a computer at work and start
   coding whatever project I have set up on the laptop. So in cases where I might
   not be able to get to my laptop, I am out of luck. Secondly, I would need to 
   invest in a good laptop for this. High-end Laptops are going to run me $800 plus.
 * If I go with the Cloud IDE, not only am I not tethered to a specific device, 
   I can code on a $150 dollar chromebook from anywhere with a wifi connection. 
   This opens up what portable solution I buy to just about anything and really 
   saves on the pocket-book.
 * So with all of that said, does anyone have experience developing wordpress in
   an Online IDE like Cloud 9, Koding, Codeenvy, Nitrous, or WPide.net? Which one
   would you recommend? In particular I am interested in WPide.net as it is specific
   for wordpress. I just cannot find much of any reviews on them yet since they 
   are still relatively young.

Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

 *  [catacaustic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/catacaustic/)
 * (@catacaustic)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532413)
 * I haven’t used any of those sorts of services before for one big reason – I don’t
   control the code.
 * If everything is in “the cloud” then it means that the provider has control over
   everything, and as soon as they decide to shut down, move somewhere else, sell
   out, etc, that control goes with them.
 * I’m not saying that there’s no place for this, and I can see that it would be
   great to get out and do your work like that, but for coding there’s no need for
   a high-powered laptop. You may need something more than a Chromebook, but you
   certainly don’t need the “latest and greatest” to run a text editor and FTP program.
 * I can see some advantages in what you are looking for, like the mobility, ability
   to work from anywhere on (almost) any device, etc, but for me loosing control
   over my clients code makes that something that I personally would not do.
 *  [Tommy B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommy-b/)
 * (@tommy-b)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532472)
 * Disclamer I work for Codeanywhere.com
 * That being said this is one of the premier use cases of our App. Codeanywhere
   has over 400.000 Users on the service. So I definitely recommend you try us out.
 * Also, I would love to hear your feedback as to what you think of it.
 * Cheers!
 *  [catacaustic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/catacaustic/)
 * (@catacaustic)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532476)
 * Hi Tommy. Your offering does sound like what the OP is looking for.
 * But… As I voiced my concerns before, what is your companies policies on code 
   ownership? Like, what happens if the account doesn’t pay the subscription fees,
   or something else happens, and the code goes “elsewhere?
 * For the record, I am not saying this to be disapproving, but just to ensure that
   things are in place to make sure that any submissions to your sort of service
   aren’t taken, and copied elsewhere without permission. 🙂
 * As I am a big fan of WordPress and the GPL, I do like to make sure that even 
   if someones code doesn’t follow those standards it can be protected by what they
   expect.
 *  [LyleChamney](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lylechamney/)
 * (@lylechamney)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532477)
 * >  I could set up a staging server, but that is still not ideal as there is a
   > bunch of syncing you have to do between the two environments…
 * I guess I am a bit confused with this … which “other” environment would you need
   to sync the staging server to if you are developing on it?
 * Or, do you want the ability to work offline? That of course would not be an option
   with the services you listed or the one from Tommy B.
 * As your client’s sites will need to be hosted somewhere anyway, have you looked
   into the managed WordPress hosting products, most of which have easy staging 
   to live functions.
 *  [Tommy B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommy-b/)
 * (@tommy-b)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532484)
 * Hi catacaustic,
    I completely understand your concern regarding code ownership
   and want to say that **all code is the sole property of the user**. Users can
   easily code on their own servers/hosting directly (all code is saved on their
   own hardware regardless of the status of their account on codeanywhere), save
   to their own Google Drive/Dropbox/Amazon S3 (again, all code is saved on their
   own Google Drive/Dropbox/Amazon S3 accounts separate from codeanywhere), or they
   can chose to run one or more of our DevBoxes. Our DevBoxes are linux containers
   that **are** on our hardware (and so is the code/data). All DevBoxes are archived(
   migrated from the active server to a backup) after 7 days of non-use, and permanently
   deleted (along with all code/data) after 6 months.
 * We have several paid and one free plan, so if a user decides (or forgets) to 
   pay for a subscription they will be downgraded to the free plan where they will
   retain access to all of their code/data/servers.
    Coding best practices (and 
   logic) suggest you always keep multiple copies of your code, on multiple locations/
   providers (whenever possible). Since most of us are coders, we understand that
   sometimes “stuff” happens and whenever possible will do our best to help even
   former subscribers. Not because it’s good business but because we’ve all been
   in similar situations.
 * As far as the actual code is concerned, as long as it’s not damaging to us or
   others (viruses, malware, DDoS scripts or similar) we don’t really have any interest
   in what is coded. We don’t read, analyse, copy (ok, we copy DevBoxes as a whole
   for backup, but that gets deleted after 6 months) or heaven forbid sell/provide
   to others.
 *  Thread Starter [ronald.fuquay](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronaldfuquay-1/)
 * (@ronaldfuquay-1)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532486)
 * [@lylechamney](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lylechamney/): The other environment
   would be the local dev environment on my computer, the staging server would be
   a hosted environment in “the cloud”.
 * [@catacaustic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/catacaustic/): I do see your
   points, and they do have a place to think about. Thanks for bringing them up!
 * [@tommy](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommy/) B: I will definately have
   to look into your option. Thank you for taking the time to post here!
 * Quick Question: If I spin up a DevBox for WordPress development, does it allow
   for me to install and compile sass/scss and the like? If so does it work on all
   of your accounts or is the free account out of luck?
 *  [catacaustic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/catacaustic/)
 * (@catacaustic)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532491)
 * > all code is the sole property of the user.
 * Maybe on your service, but not all are like yours. 🙂
    r There’s a lot of places
   out there that claim ownership over everything that’s uploaded. I’ve seen it 
   before, and it’s not slowing down now. it all comes down to reading every sites
   TOS, which most people don’t do. 🙂 Just trying to save some one from having 
   the problem of “I didn’t want my code public, but now it is” that happens a lot.
 * Again, that’s why I trust my own environments and servers, and why I don’t like
   putting my hard-earned code somewhere out of my control until after I’ve been
   paid for it. 🙂 At least when I’m developing for commercial clients. 🙂
 *  Thread Starter [ronald.fuquay](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronaldfuquay-1/)
 * (@ronaldfuquay-1)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532492)
 * Catacaustic: Which cloud ide’s have you come across that do this? I will definately
   take the time to view the TOS of the one I choose now thanks!
 *  [Tommy B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommy-b/)
 * (@tommy-b)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532499)
 * [@ronald](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronald/).fuquay: the free plan 
   comes with 1 DevBox (paid plans have more ofc). They currently do not come with
   support for sass/scss out of the box, but you can install whatever you need just
   like on a standard Ubuntu/CentOS machine. The editor does have syntax highlighting
   for sass/scss but you’ll have to compile via the ssh terminal.
 * [@catacaustic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/catacaustic/): thumbs up for
   looking out for the community. I looked over our terms and noticed that it’s 
   not stated clearly enough that all code/data is the sole property of the user
   and that we have no claims to it. I’ve contacted the guys that handle the legal
   stuff to fix that.
 *  [nmgwp](https://wordpress.org/support/users/nmgwp/)
 * (@nmgwp)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532503)
 * Here is a suggestion: get a environment you own that you can SSH into and use
   Cloud9. You own the eniornment, so you own the code. You need a paid account,
   just FYI. As far as I know, CodeAnywhere does not give you the ability to use
   the GUI editors and folder structure in an SSH environment. Cloud9 does.
 *  [Tommy B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommy-b/)
 * (@tommy-b)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532505)
 * @ nmgwp: For **all** mission critical stuff, I personally prefer hosting my own
   environment. But when that’s not the case or simply not viable, hosted services
   are there and easily accessible.
    Codeanywhere does have folder structure and
   editor for SSH (even on the free plan).
 *  Thread Starter [ronald.fuquay](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronaldfuquay-1/)
 * (@ronaldfuquay-1)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532507)
 * Tommy, I have a few more questions regarding Codeanywhere
 * Your free plan has one DevBox and one Custom Stack, does that mean you can only
   have one active project at any given time or you can only have one project total
   before upgrading the account?
 * I know you already discussed Codeanywhere’s policy on data/code ownership, but
   are the DevBoxes private or public?
 * Using the free plan, I see you have access to 1 share. Is that one user I can
   share multiple times with or one share total (aka they can only see it once during
   development)?
 * If I start up a DevBox for a wordpress install, can I also set it up to compile
   scss/less or is that not allowed? if it is allowed, do you have any scripts or
   easy set-up for javascript task runners/ruby/scss/compass/etc?
 * Can you pull or push to Github/bitbucket with your service?
 * does your web/cloud ide have autocomplete/hinting for html/css/scss/php/and javascript?
 *  [Tommy B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommy-b/)
 * (@tommy-b)
 * [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532510)
 * [@ronald](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ronald/).fuquay: Custom Stacks 
   are images you can make from an active DevBox. That way you only have to setup
   your desired environment once, and quickly deploy it unlimited times. One DevBox
   means can have only one at a time, when you delete it you can make a new one 
   without upgrading your account.
 * The DevBoxes have a public DNS, but it’s a random string (so you can’t tell which
   DevBox belongs to who) and all access to it is controlled by you just like on
   a full fledged server (the default is only your account can access the SSH terminal).
 * One share means you can receive access to one other users share. You can access
   the share unlimited times until the share is revoked by the other user. The number
   of shares you can create and users to share them with is not limited.
 * You can pretty much install anything on the DevBox, we compiled the templates
   to make it easier for users to get started. That said, we don’t currently have
   scripts for setting up other services, your best bet would be to follow the developers
   instructions or man pages.
 * You can put your Git URL when creating a new DevBox otherwise you’ll have to 
   do it from the SSH terminal. BitBucket has implemented a “edit in Codeanywhere”
   button.
 * We have hinting for html/css/php/and javascript, but no scss at the moment 🙁

Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

The topic ‘Developing WordPress in a cloud-based IDE’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Everything else WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/miscellaneous/)
 * 13 replies
 * 5 participants
 * Last reply from: [Tommy B](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommy-b/)
 * Last activity: [10 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/developing-wordpress-in-a-cloud-based-ide/#post-6532510)
 * Status: not resolved

## Topics

### Topics with no replies

### Non-support topics

### Resolved topics

### Unresolved topics

### All topics