UX: Make it easier to launch development server inside a workspace
Duplicate of &15732
MR: Pending
Description
Previewing changes on a development server is a common part of a developer's workflow. To do this currently a user has to copy the workspace url > open a new tab > paste the url > change the port in the url.
Problem 1:
- The url structure doesn't make it obvious that the port can be edited this way.
Example:
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https://60001-workspace-73241-18528227-xizu5w.workspaces.gitlab.dev/?folder=/projects/example-nodejs-express-app
becomeshttps://3000-workspace-73241-18528227-xizu5w.workspaces.gitlab.dev/?folder=/projects/example-nodejs-express-app
Idea:
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Could we restructure the url to make it clearer which part relates to the port?For example:https://workspace-73241-18528227-xizu5w.workspaces.gitlab.dev:3000
- NOTE: After digging into past issues I found this explanation of why this idea likely isn't workable: #391856 (comment 1283027979)
Supporting evidence:
- From UX Scorecard: “Usually the port is at the end (of the url)”
Problem 2:
- Users often don't understand the capabilities of a workspace and how it compares to their local environments feature-wise. Without external guidance they struggle to discover the ability to view alternate ports within a workspace.
Example:
Idea:
- Could we reveal the correct url in the terminal after a development server is run so the user only has to click the link?
- Could we expose the url through the GitLab Workflow extension or GitLab CLI?
Supporting evidence:
- From UX Scorecard: “I would not have figured this out without the README direction”
Acceptance Criteria
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Edited by Mark Unthank