Merge pull request daytonaio#103 from divanshu-go/project-config

Introducing Daytona Project Config: Simplify and Streamline Workspace…

articles/20240910_Daytona_Project_Config.md

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+---
+title: "Introducing Daytona Project Config: Simplify Workspace Setup"
+description: "Learn how Daytona's new Project Configs simplify project creation and 
+management with predefined configurations."
+date: 2024-09-10
+author: "Daytona"
+tags: ["Project Config", "Daytona", "Development", "Prebuilds"]
+---
+
+# Introducing Daytona Project Config: Simplify and Streamline Workspace Setup
+
+## Introduction
+
+Developing similar [development environments](/definitions/20240819_definition_development%20environment.md) for different projects can often be boring and time-consuming. Each time you begin a new project or adjust a new [workspace](/definitions/20240819_definition_daytona%20workspace.md), you probably recreate [repository](/definitions/20240819_definition_repository.md), environment variables, and build settings by hand. The more complex your projects are, the more these overhead tasks hinder your productivity.
+
+You can automate all those processes and even keep the whole consistency throughout your workspaces by using Project Configs. They were introduced in [v0.24.0](<https://github.com/daytonaio/daytona/releases/tag/v0.24.0>). It enables you to predefine project settings .
+
+---
+
+### TL;DR
+
+- **What are Project Configs?** Preset workspace parameters to save down on setup time.
+- **Why use them?** they reduce setup time and are prefered by power users 
+- **Key Features:** They use the KEY=VALUE syntax to enclose your project's environment variables, 
+build parameters (devcontainer.json), and Git URL.
+- **Future Development:** Project Configs will soon integrate with
+[Prebuilds](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/usage/prebuilds>)
+, enhancing workspace readiness.
+
+---
+
+## What Is a Project-Config ?
+
+A project configuration contains all necessary properties to define and manage projects within a [Workspace](/definitions/20240819_definition_daytona%20workspace.md). It stores information such as the [repository URL](/definitions/20240819_definition_repository.md), build configuration, and environment variables. This allows for easy reuse of previously set configurations, ensuring a consistent and reproducible setup across multiple Workspaces.
+
+**What makes this significant?**
+
+Maintaining a consistent [development environment](/definitions/20240819_definition_development%20environment.md) is crucial for developers managing several projects or working in teams in order to prevent problems like inconsistent build procedures, missing dependencies, and version mismatches. In addition to saving time, project configurations provide reproducible and consistent environments.
+
+### Key Features of a Project-Config
+
+A project configuration encapsulates all the essential elements for setting up a project, including:
+
+#### Repository URL
+The URL of the Git repository associated with the Project.
+
+#### Build Configuration
+- **[Automatic](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/usage/builders#automatic>)**: Auto-detects the most appropriate Builder for your project.
+- **[Devcontainer](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/usage/builders#dev-container>)**: Utilizes a predefined development container specified by a `devcontainer.json` file.
+- **[Custom image](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/usage/builders#custom-image>)**: Builds the Project image by specifying a custom base container.
+- **[None](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/usage/builders#none>)**: Builds a Project by using the default base image (`daytonaio/workspace-project`).
+
+#### Environment Variables
+Environment variables are specified in the `KEY=VALUE` format. These variables are essential for the Project’s build and runtime environments. You can set the variables directly or pass them from the machine’s environment during execution.
+
+#### Project Configuration Name
+A unique identifier for the Project Configuration, which distinguishes it from other configurations within the system.
+
+---
+
+`daytona project-config` command allows you to add, inspect, change, list, set as default, and delete Project Configurations, providing you complete control over the configuration and reuse of your Project configurations across many Workspaces.
+
+## Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a New Project Config
+
+To get started in actual process steps included:
+
+### No 1. Add a New Project Config
+
+Open your terminal and run the following command:
+
+```bash
+daytona project-config add
+```
+
+You'll be asked to enter key information for the configuration, such as the
+[repository URL](/definitions/20240819_definition_repository.md), build
+configuration, and environment variables.
+
+We will see an example now:
+
+```bash
+daytona project-config add
+> Enter repository URL: https://github.com/user/repo
+> Select build configuration: Devcontainer
+> Enter environment variables: ENV_VAR=production
+> Name your project config: MyProjectConfig
+```
+
+This simple set of inputs ensures that the next time you create a workspace,
+Daytona will automatically load these settings, significantly reducing setup time.
+
+### 2. Sample Repository for Project Config
+
+Let's set up a Project Config for a
+[TypeScript Node Project](<https://github.com/daytonaio/sample-typescript-node>)
+, which includes a basic Node.js app and a `devcontainer.json`
+for an easy development setup.
+
+Let's learn how to make a Project Config:
+
+```bash
+daytona project-config add
+> Enter repository URL: https://github.com/daytonaio/sample-typescript-node
+> Select build configuration: Devcontainer
+> Enter environment variables: NODE_ENV=development
+> Name your project config: TypeScript-Node
+```
+<img src='assets/20240910_Daytona_Project_Config_add.png'/>
+
+Saving this, will apply this configuration to multiple workspaces, ensuring that
+each workspace has the same repository and environment setup. To create a new
+workspace with this setup, use:
+
+```bash
+daytona create
+> Select project config: TypeScript-Node
+```
+
+This process will easily set up your workspace with the exact configuration, making
+it smooth to get started.
+
+---
+
+## Managing Your Project Configs
+
+Once you've created a Project Config, Daytona provides several commands to manage
+and view these configurations. You can explore these commands in more detail in the
+[Daytona CLI Reference](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/reference/cli/#daytona-project-config>).
+
+### Listing All Project Configs
+
+To list all your existing Project Configs, use the command:
+
+```bash
+daytona project-config list
+```
+
+This will display a table with the Project Config name, associated repository,
+build configuration, and whether it's set as the default.
+
+<img src='assets/20240910_Daytona_Project_Config_list.png'/>
+
+### Seeing the Details of a Project Config
+
+To see the details of a specific Project Config, run:
+
+```bash
+daytona project-config info
+```
+
+Select the configuration you want to view, and Daytona will display details about
+the repository URL, build configuration, and any environment variables associated
+with it. It might look like this:
+
+```bash
+Project Config Info:
+---------------------
+Name: sample-typescript-node
+Repository: https://github.com/daytonaio/sample-typescript-node.git
+Default: Yes
+Build: Devcontainer
+Devcontainer path: .devcontainer/devcontainer.json
+```
+
+This result provides a structured view of the Project Config, showing important details
+such as the repository URL, build configuration, and the path to the development
+container configuration.
+
+---
+
+## Updating or Removing Project Configs
+
+### Updating a Project Config
+
+If you need to change settings within an before active Project Config, Daytona makes it
+easy. Simply run:
+
+```bash
+daytona project-config update
+```
+
+You'll be asked to choose the Project Config you want to remake and then change
+any of the settings, such as changing the repository URL or adding new environment
+variables.
+
+### Deleting a Project Config
+
+If a configuration is no longer needed, you can delete it using the following
+command:
+
+```bash
+daytona project-config delete
+```
+
+This will remove the configuration from Daytona, ensuring your workspace remains
+clean and organized.
+
+---
+
+## What's Next: Project Configs and Prebuilds
+
+The introduction of Project Configs is part of Daytona's broader start to
+improve developer productivity by automating repetitive tasks. One upcoming feature
+that will further streamline the development process is **Prebuilds**.
+
+### How Prebuilds Will Enhance Project Configs
+
+Prebuilds allow for even rapid workspace setup by listening for changes in the
+underlying repository and automatically running builds in the background. This
+ensures that when a developer creates a new workspace, all necessary builds have
+already been completed, significantly reducing wait times.
+
+> **"Prebuilds are made to take Daytona's automation to the next level,
+> allowing for 'ready-to-go' environments. Coupled with Project Configs, they'll
+> make workspace creation nearly instantaneous."** – Daytona Engineering Team
+
+---
+
+## Conclusion
+
+Daytona's **Project Configs** streamline workspace setup by
+reducing the time and effort needed to configure repositories, environment
+variables, and build settings. Whether you're a solo developer or part of a larger
+team, the ability to define and reuse configurations can dramatically enhance your
+productivity.
+
+As Daytona continues to launch new features like **Prebuilds**, the development
+experience will only get faster and more efficient, allowing developers to spend
+less time on setup and more time coding.
+
+```bash
+# Commands Recap
+daytona project-config add
+daytona project-config list
+daytona project-config info
+daytona project-config update
+daytona project-config delete
+```
+
+For detailed documentation, visit the official
+[Daytona CLI Reference](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/tools/cli/#daytona-project-config>)
+or explore our comprehensive
+[Project Configuration Usage Guide](<https://www.daytona.io/docs/usage/projects/#project-configuration>)

authors/divanshu_grover.md

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+Author: Divanshu Grover
+Title: Golang Enthusiast
+Description: Divanshu is a Golang developer .
+Author Image: ![divanshu-grover](./assets/divanshu-grover.jpeg)