[WIP] Add devcontainer configuration and Copilot Agent integration

[Copilot]

Add devcontainer support for GitHub Copilot Coding Agent

This PR adds comprehensive devcontainer support specifically configured for the GitHub Copilot Coding Agent, making it easy for contributors to develop with AI assistance.

Changes Made

• Create .devcontainer/devcontainer.json - Configuration with base image, ports, extensions
• Create .devcontainer/Dockerfile - Custom image with Node.js, Python, Git, and Copilot dependencies
• Create .devcontainer/post-create.sh - Setup script for npm/pip packages and environment
• Create .devcontainer/README.md - Instructions for contributors using devcontainer with Copilot
• Update root README.md - Add section about devcontainer and Copilot usage
• Test devcontainer configuration - Verify container works with required dependencies

Requirements Analysis

From examining the repository, I can see it already has:

• Existing .devcontainer/ with Ubuntu base, Node LTS, PHP 8.2, and custom features
• npm scripts for linting and development workflow
• Multiple devcontainer features (gitutils, githooks, gitversion, etc.)

Plan

1. Enhance existing devcontainer configuration for Copilot Coding Agent
2. Add Dockerfile with necessary dependencies (Node.js, Python, Git tooling)
3. Create setup scripts for post-creation configuration
4. Add comprehensive documentation for contributors
5. Update main README with devcontainer instructions

The approach will build upon the existing devcontainer setup while adding specific Copilot Coding Agent requirements.

Original prompt

Add a reproducible development container to this repository and configure the Copilot Coding Agent to run inside it. Changes to make:

1. Add .devcontainer/devcontainer.json that defines the devcontainer to use the included Dockerfile, sets workspaceFolder, forwards necessary ports, and sets recommended extensions (including GitHub Copilot and any agent dependencies).

2. Add .devcontainer/Dockerfile that installs:

   • a base image (mcr.microsoft.com/vscode/devcontainers/base:debian or ubuntu-derived),
   • Git, curl, ca-certificates, build-essential, and apt-utils,
   • Node.js LTS (or install via nvm) if the Copilot agent requires Node,
   • Python 3 and pip if needed,
   • any additional packages needed by the Copilot Coding Agent (git, openssh-client).
     Ensure the Dockerfile sets a non-root user 'vscode' to match Codespaces/Dev Containers conventions.

3. Add .devcontainer/post-create.sh to install any global npm or pip packages and to perform any setup tasks (e.g., npm install -g @github/copilot-cli if applicable). Make sure the script is idempotent and logs progress.

4. Add .devcontainer/README.md with instructions for contributors on how to open the repo in a devcontainer and how to start the Copilot Coding Agent inside the container, including recommended VS Code settings and any required secrets or environment variables.

5. Update README.md root (append a short section) noting the devcontainer and how to use it with the Copilot Coding Agent.

6. Create a Git branch named 'devcontainer/copilot-agent' and open a pull request against the repository's default branch with the changes above. Include a clear PR description explaining why the devcontainer is added and how it helps run the Copilot Coding Agent. Request reviewers if appropriate.

Notes/assumptions:

• I chose Node and Python as possible agent dependencies; if this repo requires a different runtime, adjust accordingly.
• Do not commit secrets or tokens. Document any required secrets in the README and instruct users to add them via VS Code Remote - Containers' encrypted secrets or environment variables.

Please create the files with sensible defaults so the devcontainer works out-of-the-box for most contributors. If you prefer a different base image or additional packages specific to this repo, list them in the PR for review.

*This pull request was created as a result of the following prompt from Copilot chat.* > Add a reproducible development container to this repository and configure the Copilot Coding Agent to run inside it. Changes to make: > > 1. Add .devcontainer/devcontainer.json that defines the devcontainer to use the included Dockerfile, sets workspaceFolder, forwards necessary ports, and sets recommended extensions (including GitHub Copilot and any agent dependencies). > > 2. Add .devcontainer/Dockerfile that installs: > - a base image (mcr.microsoft.com/vscode/devcontainers/base:debian or ubuntu-derived), > - Git, curl, ca-certificates, build-essential, and apt-utils, > - Node.js LTS (or install via nvm) if the Copilot agent requires Node, > - Python 3 and pip if needed, > - any additional packages needed by the Copilot Coding Agent (git, openssh-client). > Ensure the Dockerfile sets a non-root user 'vscode' to match Codespaces/Dev Containers conventions. > > 3. Add .devcontainer/post-create.sh to install any global npm or pip packages and to perform any setup tasks (e.g., npm install -g @github/copilot-cli if applicable). Make sure the script is idempotent and logs progress. > > 4. Add .devcontainer/README.md with instructions for contributors on how to open the repo in a devcontainer and how to start the Copilot Coding Agent inside the container, including recommended VS Code settings and any required secrets or environment variables. > > 5. Update README.md root (append a short section) noting the devcontainer and how to use it with the Copilot Coding Agent. > > 6. Create a Git branch named 'devcontainer/copilot-agent' and open a pull request against the repository's default branch with the changes above. Include a clear PR description explaining why the devcontainer is added and how it helps run the Copilot Coding Agent. Request reviewers if appropriate. > > Notes/assumptions: > - I chose Node and Python as possible agent dependencies; if this repo requires a different runtime, adjust accordingly. > - Do not commit secrets or tokens. Document any required secrets in the README and instruct users to add them via VS Code Remote - Containers' encrypted secrets or environment variables. > > Please create the files with sensible defaults so the devcontainer works out-of-the-box for most contributors. If you prefer a different base image or additional packages specific to this repo, list them in the PR for review.

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💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.