How can I run a live development server in VS Code for the web?

September 14, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MellowPine47
My computer has very limited hardware, and I can't afford to upgrade right now, so I'm using the browser-based version of VS Code. I'm running Windows on a Steam Deck and accessing it from a Chromebook, but the setup doesn't feel very practical. Is there a way to use Live Server or a similar feature in the web version while keeping the actual files and development environment on the Steam Deck?

Answers

CobaltMango8
The most practical option is probably connecting the browser-based editor to the Steam Deck over SSH. The Deck would run the code and development server, while the Chromebook would only act as the browser client. That avoids putting much load on the Chromebook.
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QuietHarbor31
Another possibility is installing a lightweight Linux distribution on the Steam Deck, which may provide a smoother development setup than Windows. However, SSH is probably the easiest solution if you want to keep your current installation.
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NimbleOtter6
If you mainly need to collaborate or preview someone elseโ€™s work, the Live Share extension may help. Itโ€™s less suitable if your main goal is simply running a local web server, though.
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BrightFox22
You could also try a cloud development environment such as GitHub Codespaces. It has a limited free tier, although the available usage may not be enough for regular development.
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