Under Environments → Code editor, you can open project folders and source files in your Hand’s own workspace. The integrated IDE runs in your browser and works with the same files you can access under Files or through the Terminal.
Open the code editor
- Open the Hands Console and choose a ready Hand.
- Go to Environments and select the Code editor tab.
- The Console shows Starting the editor… and loads the IDE in the page. Its default working folder is /workspace.
- Use the editor’s file explorer to navigate to your project folder, then open the file you want to change.
- Edit the source or text and save using the editor’s normal save action, such as Ctrl+S or Cmd+S. Reopen or inspect the file to confirm that your changes are present.
The IDE edits files on the Hand, not files stored only on your laptop. Saving a file is not automatically a Git commit, deployment or approval of any separate Hand action.
Open a file directly from Files
- Go to Files and browse the Hand’s workspace to a source file or project folder.
- Open the selected item’s actions menu.
- Choose Open with VS Code.
- The Console switches to Environments → Code editor. Opening a file starts the workspace and selects the file; opening a folder uses that folder as the editor’s working location.
- Make and save your changes in the IDE. Return to Files if you want to verify the updated content separately.
The editor request is restricted to paths inside /workspace. You cannot use this Console action to open arbitrary paths elsewhere on the Hand.
Which view should you use?
| View | Best use |
|---|---|
| Files | Browse the workspace, preview content, upload and download files. |
| Environments → Code editor | Navigate projects, inspect and modify source files. |
| Environments → Terminal | Run commands, inspect processes and use Git when needed. |
| Computer | View and control graphical applications and windows on the Hand desktop. |
The editor is a separate browser session. Use Reload editor or Open full screen in a new tab when useful. On narrow layouts, supported devices also show Back to console.
When the editor will not open
- Confirm that the correct Hand is selected and is ready and reachable.
- The editor requires HTTPS and an installed, accessible IDE service on the Hand. A particular Hand or rollout may not support it yet.
- If you see The editor could not start, select Reload editor, or try launching it again from Files.
- Verify that the selected file or folder belongs under /workspace.
Optional Background tasks, Servers/SSH and coding agents are not required for this workflow and are not necessarily available.
See also Manage Files in the workspace, Open and manage terminal sessions and Computer or Environments.