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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:

  • https://60001-workspace-73241-18528227-xizu5w.workspaces.gitlab.dev/?folder=/projects/example-nodejs-express-app becomes https://3000-workspace-73241-18528227-xizu5w.workspaces.gitlab.dev/?folder=/projects/example-nodejs-express-app

Idea:

  • 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

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:

  • Screenshot_2024-04-22_at_7.54.49_PM

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