GitHub Codespaces is a cloud-based development environment that helps learners build real-world coding skills—fast.

• Built by GitHub (a Microsoft company), it offers a complete platform for secure software development.
• Codespaces simulates a real-world development environment, making it ideal for hands-on learning.
• No setup required—because it’s cloud-based, you can start coding from any device with a browser.
• It’s fast, secure, and accessible—perfect for learners who want to focus on building skills, not configuring tools.

You have access to 60 free hours monthly of GitHub Codespaces per month.

The 60-hour, two-core allotment of free time on Codespaces renews monthly. You can wait for your hours to refresh the following month or pay for more time via your GitHub Codespaces account.

Yes. Visual Studio Code offers a Live Share extension to support real time collaborative team programming. Live Share isn’t installed by default in a new codespace, but can be installed for free. After installing the extension and restarting the codespace, the codespace owner becomes a Live Share host and can send a link to anyone with either read-write or read-only access.

A sandbox is a virtual coding space that runs in your browser—no downloads or installations needed.

• It lets you follow along with instructors in real time while watching a course.
• You can start coding immediately, even on devices where you can’t install software.
• Especially helpful in enterprise settings where IT restrictions limit local installations.

Codespaces is designed to remove barriers and keep learners focused on what matters—learning by doing.

• Supports all experience levels, from beginner to advanced.
• Eliminates setup friction so learners can dive right into hands-on practice.
• Keeps attention on the course content, boosting engagement and completion rates.
• Accelerates skill-building through applied, real-world coding experiences.

Not at all—Codespaces is available to all learners, across a wide range of topics.

• Courses are available in major programming languages like Python, Java, SQL, JavaScript, Rust, Go, and PHP.
• Also supports learning in Data Science, AI, and Machine Learning.
• Offers three types of hands-on practice:
  • Hands-On Introduction – Learn the basics.
  • Practice It – Apply what you’ve learned.
  • Level Up – Tackle more advanced challenges.
• These formats are designed to align with Bloom’s taxonomy, helping learners move from understanding to creating.

No. LinkedIn Learning courses cover a variety of tech skills and topics, not all of which are relevant for using GitHub Codespaces. However, even if a course doesn’t have a specific codespace configured, you can use GitHub Codespaces to practice. In addition, LinkedIn Learning offers multiple methods of practice, including:

Yes. GitHub Codespaces will utilize your personal GitHub account for access. If you are not already one of the 83 million worldwide developers on GitHub, you can easily sign up for a free account.

GitHub Exercise Files are stored on GitHub, and you can work with them directly using GitHub Codespaces—an online coding environment that lets you edit, test, run, and deploy code right from your browser.

Think of it like this:

• GitHub is where the files live, with version control and history.
• GitHub Codespaces is the workspace where you can open and work on those files—similar to how OneDrive works with Word Online, or Google Drive with Google Docs.

If a LinkedIn Learning course offers GitHub Exercise Files with Codespaces support:

• The repository is already set up for you.
• When you open it in Codespaces, everything’s ready to go—extensions, settings, and configurations are preloaded so you can start practicing right away.

If the course repository doesn’t include that setup:

• You can still open it in Codespaces.
• But you’ll need to configure the development environment yourself to match the project’s needs.

No. One of the benefits of GitHub Codespaces is that there are no local files needed. Everything is cloud-based, which allows for speed, security, and access from any machine. You need only a modern browser, device/keyboard, and stable internet connection.

Completion data will be available for the LinkedIn Learning course through normal skills reporting that's available. However, any practice done in GitHub Codespaces will not be reported, as the sandbox is owned by the learner’s own GitHub account.

No. GitHub has its own authentication system.

As an admin, you can: