BC Docker Setup

A VS Code command that:

1. Creates a Business Central Docker container using BCContainerHelper.
2. (Optionally) installs all .app packages from a selected folder using Publish-BcContainerApp.

Usage

1. Run VS Code as Administrator (required for host file updates, permissions, and container setup).
2. Open VS Code → Ctrl+Shift+P → BC Docker: Setup & Install Apps.
3. Enter:
   • Container name (e.g., bc26)
   • Artifact country code (e.g., cz, w1, de)
   • BC admin username and password
4. Choose whether to install .app extensions:
   • Yes → pick a folder; all .app files (recursively) will be published and installed.
   • No → only the container is created.
5. The extension opens the integrated terminal, runs the PowerShell steps line-by-line, and prints DONE! when finished.

What it does under the hood

• Installs/imports BCContainerHelper (CurrentUser scope).
• Fetches artifact URL via Get-BCArtifactUrl -country <your input>.
• Creates the container with:
  • -accept_eula
  • -auth UserPassword
  • -updateHosts (requires admin privileges)
  • -assignPremiumPlan (if enabled in settings)
  • -multitenant:$false (single-tenant)
• If chosen, publishes and installs all .app files from the selected folder using Publish-BcContainerApp with -skipVerification -sync -install -upgrade -syncMode ForceSync.

Requirements

• Run VS Code as Administrator (otherwise container creation or host file update may fail).
• Windows with Docker Desktop (docker available in PATH).
• PowerShell (Windows PowerShell or PowerShell 7).
• Permission to install the BCContainerHelper module.

Settings (optional)

• bcDocker.defaultCountry — default artifact country (default: cz).
• bcDocker.assignPremiumPlan — include -assignPremiumPlan when creating the container (default: true).

Security note

The password is not stored; it is embedded into the generated PowerShell script sent to the VS Code terminal, where it’s visible as part of the command stream. If you need stronger secrecy, adapt the code to prompt for the password directly in PowerShell or use VS Code SecretStorage.