In-browser terminal as IDE option

[jwpjrdev]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe

Lately, I've been enjoying using vim for my projects. However, it's quite a hinderance to open it in the browser VS Code window, maximise the terminal, and then still have wasted space on the screen from VS Code that I won't be using.

Describe the behaviour you'd like

It would be nice to have an in-browser terminal (likely would be implemented with xterm.js) as an IDE option that opens the terminal rather than VS Code. I've tried out ttyd and have seen tmate. I haven't extensively used either but they seem like a good starting point.

Describe alternatives you've considered

An option or keybind to hide all of VS Code's content except for the terminal would be nice but likely a pain to use—what if you forget the keybind? What if you reload the window? What if it times out?

Additional context

I use Gitpod on my iPad and therefore don't have the luxury of unused space on my screen. Everything has to be there for a reason. It's already cluttered as is.

[mustard-mh]

Hey @filiptronicek, you must be good to see this issue feature request (PR #8464)

[andreafalzetti]

@jwpjrdev Thanks for sharing your interest 🙏

We actually experimented with this, as @mustard-mh pointed out :)

In the meantime, an approach that you could also consider is using SSH + vim. Once you start your workspace with VS Code Browser, if you at the same time connect using SSH with your local terminal, you can have a quite good experience with vim! :)

See SSH docs: https://www.gitpod.io/docs/configure/ssh

[jwpjrdev]

@andreafalzetti I saw that—is there any roadblock for releasing it in beta other than the xterm.js icon?

Also... I don't have a local terminal. I have an iPad.

[jimmybrancaccio]

@jwpjrdev A few folks including myself have been using Blink on our iPads.

[stale]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[loujaybee]

Today is the day, enjoy @jwpjrdev !

https://www.gitpod.io/changelog/code-in-the-terminal-without-leaving-your-browser!

Drop any feedback here: #17724

[jwpjrdev]

OH MY WORD YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST

[jwpjrdev]

THIS IS AMAZING