# Start Dev Container inside IDE

> **TL;DR**
> Check [Prerequisites](prerequisites-for-dev-containers.html) and [Limitations](dev-container-limitations.html)

You can open a local project that has the `.devcontainer` folder with the `devcontainer.json` file in the root inside IntelliJ IDEA and start a Dev Container from the IDE by using Docker. The IDE lets you [mount](#create-dev-container-and-mount-sources) or [clone](#create-dev-container-and-clone-sources) the sources into Dev Container.

You can also [start a Dev
Container for a remote project](start-dev-container-for-a-remote-project.html).

Create Dev Container and mount sources:

When you mount sources, your local project directory is mounted (linked) into the container, and any changes made inside the container reflect in your local files and vice versa. This process is longer than the [Create Dev Container and Clone Sources](#clone_sources) action but might be helpful for development workflows where you want to edit files using your local IDE while running them in the container.

Procedure: Create Dev Container and mount sources

1. Open your project with the `devcontainer.json` file inside the IDE.

2. Open the `devcontainer.json` file in the editor.

3. In the left gutter, click ![Create Dev Container](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/clouds-docker-gateway.icons.devContainers.svg), select Create Dev Container and Mount Sources… and select the backend IDE with which you want to work inside the container.

> **Note:**
> If you have the [all-product-pack](https://www.jetbrains.com.cn/en-us/all/) license, you can choose the backend IDE that differs from your current local one. For example, if you want to run a Go-based project inside the Dev Container, you can select Goland  as the backend IDE.

![Mount sources](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/create_dev_container_mount.png)

4. The process of creating a Dev Container is displayed in the [Services](services-tool-window.html) tool window.

After the Dev Container is created, click Connect.

![Creating a Dev Container](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/ide_dev_container.png)

The container is created and the project is opened in JetBrains Client.

![Project in Dev Container](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/container_with_project.png)

Create Dev Container and clone sources:

When you clone sources, code is cloned inside the container from a remote repository such as GitHub. While this process is faster as appose to the Create Dev Container and Mount Sources action, note that the whole Git repository gets checked out.

However, this action is helpful for cases where you want an isolated, reproducible environment without affecting your local files.

Procedure: Create Dev Container and clone sources

1. Open your project with the `devcontainer.json` file inside the IDE.

2. Open the `devcontainer.json` file in the editor.

3. In the left gutter, click ![Create Dev Container](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/clouds-docker-gateway.icons.devContainers.svg), select Create Dev Container and Clone Sources

![Clone sources](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/create_dev_container_clone.png)

4. On the New Dev Container page, specify the IDE, your Git repository, branch, and click Build Container and Continue.

![New Dev Container](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/new_dev_container_clone.png)

5. The process of creating a Dev Container is displayed in the [Services](services-tool-window.html) tool window.

After the Dev Container is created, click Connect.

![Creating a Dev Container](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/ide_dev_container.png)

![Clone - Dev Container created](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/ws_ide_dev_container_clone_open_project.png)

The container is created and the project is opened in JetBrains Client.

![Project in Dev Container](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/container_with_project.png)

## Additional context menu options

Besides [cloning sources](#clone_sources) or [mounting sources](#create-dev-container-and-mount-sources), the following additional options are available in the context menu:

| Item | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Show Dev Containers | Use this option to check a list of existing Dev Containers.     You can see which ones are active and running, stop them, or restart them.     ![See Dev Containers](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/see_containers.png)    |
| Manage Dev Container Backends | Use this option to remove the unnecessary ones from Docker shared volumes.     ![Manage backends](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/dev_container_manage_backends.png)    |
| Add Modified Settings from IDE |    Use this option to add your IDE settings to the IDE backend that is running inside your Dev Container. For more information, refer to [Add Modified                         Settings from IDE](customizing-devcontainer-json-file.html#add_settings).     |