A Zero Setup Docker-based Development Environment for Learning Rust with Rustlings

Learning a new programming language often comes with an unexpected challenge: setting up the development environment. Before you can even write your first line of code, you need to install compilers, configure an IDE, set up debugging tools, and more. This setup process can be particularly daunting for beginners and can sometimes lead to frustration before the actual learning begins.

That's why I created a Docker-based Rust learning environment that takes care of all the setup complexities. This project provides a ready-to-use development environment for working through Rustlings exercises, complete with a modern editor setup and AI assistance.

Rustlings Docker Development Environment

Why Rust?

Rust has been Stack Overflow's most loved programming language for seven consecutive years, and for good reason. It offers memory safety without garbage collection, fearless concurrency, and zero-cost abstractions. These features make it an excellent choice for systems programming, WebAssembly development, and building high-performance applications.

However, Rust's learning curve can be steep. The language introduces unique concepts like ownership and borrowing, which can take time to master. That's where Rustlings comes in – it's an excellent project that provides small exercises to get you used to reading and writing Rust code.

The Problem with Traditional Setup

Setting up a Rust development environment traditionally involves:

Installing Rust and Cargo
Setting up an IDE with proper extensions
Installing Rustlings
Configuring code completion and analysis tools
Setting up debugging tools

This process can vary across different operating systems and can sometimes lead to compatibility issues. Additionally, if you want to learn Rust on different machines, you'll need to repeat this setup process each time.

Containerized Rust Learning Environment

You get a fully configured development environment that includes:

A complete Rust toolchain
Rustlings exercises
LazyVim editor with Rust-specific configurations
GitHub Copilot and Copilot Chat for AI assistance
A split-screen terminal setup using Tmux

The environment is designed to be reproducible and consistent across different machines. Whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux, as long as you have Docker installed, you'll get the same development experience.

The Power of AI-Assisted Learning

One unique aspect of this setup is the integration of GitHub Copilot and Copilot Chat. When learning a new language, having an AI assistant can be incredibly helpful:

Get real-time suggestions as you write code
Ask questions about Rust concepts
Receive explanations of error messages
Get help with implementing solutions

While AI shouldn't replace understanding the core concepts, it can significantly accelerate the learning process by providing immediate feedback and suggestions.

The Development Experience

When you start the environment, you're presented with a split-screen interface:

On the left: LazyVim editor with full Rust support
On the right: Rustlings exercises

The editor comes pre-configured with:

Rust-analyzer for intelligent code completion
Syntax highlighting
Error diagnostics
Code formatting
Git integration

The Tmux-based terminal setup allows you to easily switch between panes and manage your workspace efficiently.

Getting Started

If you want to try it out, the project is available on GitHub: https://github.com/moviendome/rustlings-env

The setup process is straightforward:

Ensure you have Docker installed
Clone the repository
Run make build to create the container
Run make run to start the environment

Conclusion

Learning a new programming language should be about understanding concepts and writing code, not fighting with tool installation and configuration. By containerizing the development environment, we can remove these barriers and focus on what matters: learning Rust.

If you're interested in learning Rust, give this environment a try. I'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Happy coding! 🦀