language-environment-config

Detect programming languages, parse version requirements, and install complete development environments for Rust, Python, and Node.js in Docker-based sandboxes.

Purpose

This skill provides knowledge for setting up language-specific development environments inside sandbox containers. Focus on the three primary languages (Rust, Python, Node.js) and their associated tooling, LSP servers, and development utilities.

Language Detection

Detection Strategy

Identify languages by scanning for configuration and dependency files:

Rust indicators:

• Cargo.toml - Rust project manifest
• Cargo.lock - Dependency lock file
• rust-toolchain.toml - Rust version specification
• .rs files in src/ directory

Python indicators:

• pyproject.toml - Modern Python project config
• requirements.txt - Dependency list
• setup.py - Package setup script
• Pipfile - Pipenv config
• .python-version - Python version file
• .py files

Node.js indicators:

• package.json - npm project manifest
• package-lock.json - npm lock file
• pnpm-lock.yaml - pnpm lock file
• .nvmrc - Node version specification
• .node-version - Alternative version file
• .js, .ts, .jsx, .tsx files

Detection Script

Use the scripts/detect_languages.py script to analyze a project:

# Returns detected languages and their config files
python3 scripts/detect_languages.py /path/to/project

Output format:

{
  "rust": {
    "detected": true,
    "indicators": ["Cargo.toml", "src/main.rs"]
  },
  "python": {
    "detected": true,
    "indicators": ["pyproject.toml", "requirements.txt"]
  },
  "nodejs": {
    "detected": true,
    "indicators": ["package.json", ".nvmrc"]
  }
}

Version Detection

Version Files and Parsing

Each language has standard files for version specification:

Rust Version Detection

Primary: rust-toolchain.toml

[toolchain]
channel = "1.93.0"
# or
channel = "stable"
# or
channel = "nightly"

Parse with:

import toml
config = toml.load("rust-toolchain.toml")
version = config["toolchain"]["channel"]

Legacy: rust-toolchain (plain text)

1.93.0

Python Version Detection

Primary: pyproject.toml

[project]
requires-python = ">=3.14.2"

Parse with:

import toml
config = toml.load("pyproject.toml")
version_spec = config["project"]["requires-python"]
# Extract version: ">=3.14.2" → "3.14.2"

Alternative: .python-version

3.14.2

requirements.txt (less precise)

python>=3.14

Node.js Version Detection

Primary: .nvmrc

18.20.0

Or semantic versions:

lts/*
node
v18

Alternative: .node-version

18.20.0

package.json engines field

{
  "engines": {
    "node": ">=18.0.0"
  }
}

Version Parsing Script

Use scripts/parse_versions.py:

# Extract version requirements from project files
python3 scripts/parse_versions.py /path/to/project

Output:

{
  "rust": "1.93.0",
  "python": "3.14.2",
  "nodejs": "18.20.0"
}

Language Installation

Rust Installation

Install via rustup (preferred for version flexibility):

# Install specific version
RUN curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | \
    sh -s -- -y --default-toolchain 1.93.0

# Install stable (current)
RUN curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | \
    sh -s -- -y --default-toolchain stable

# Install nightly
RUN curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | \
    sh -s -- -y --default-toolchain nightly

Critical: Version keywords vs numbers

✅ GOOD - Always current:

RUN rustup install stable
RUN rustup install nightly
RUN rustup default stable

❌ BAD - Becomes outdated:

RUN rustup install 1.93.0  # Fixed version, will be old

When to use specific versions:

• Project requires exact version (from rust-toolchain.toml)
• User explicitly requests specific version

Components to install:

RUN rustup component add clippy rustfmt rust-analyzer

Standard tools:

# After Rust is installed
RUN cargo install cargo-dist cargo-deny cargo-release cocogitto

Python Installation

Install via apt (system Python):

RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
    python3 \
    python3-pip \
    python3-venv \
    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

Install via uv (for specific versions):

# Install uv first
RUN pip3 install --no-cache-dir uv

# Install specific Python version
RUN uv python install 3.14.2

# Install current stable
RUN uv python install

# Python doesn't have official LTS - use current stable
# When user asks for LTS, install current stable instead

Critical: Version keywords

✅ GOOD - Always current:

RUN uv python install  # Latest stable
RUN pip3 install --upgrade pip  # Latest pip

❌ BAD - Becomes outdated:

RUN uv python install 3.14  # Major version, but not latest patch
RUN uv python install 3.14.2  # Specific version, will be old

Standard tools:

RUN pip3 install --no-cache-dir uv ruff mypy black pytest

Node.js Installation

Install via nvm (preferred for version flexibility):

ENV NVM_DIR="/root/.nvm"

# Install nvm
RUN curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

# Install current stable
RUN . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" && nvm install node && nvm alias default node

# Install LTS
RUN . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" && nvm install --lts && nvm alias default lts/*

# Install nightly (latest, including pre-release)
RUN . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" && nvm install node --latest-npm

# Install specific version (when required)
RUN . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" && nvm install 18.20.0

Critical: Version keywords

✅ GOOD - Always current:

RUN nvm install node  # Current stable
RUN nvm install --lts  # Current LTS
RUN nvm install node --latest-npm  # Nightly/latest

❌ BAD - Becomes outdated:

RUN nvm install 18.20.0  # Specific version, will be old
RUN nvm install 18  # Major version, not latest

Standard tools:

RUN npm install -g pnpm typescript ts-node

LSP Server Installation

rust-analyzer

Install via rustup:

RUN rustup component add rust-analyzer

Or via cargo (latest):

RUN cargo install rust-analyzer

pyright (Python)

Install via npm:

RUN npm install -g pyright

Or via pip:

RUN pip3 install pyright

typescript-language-server

Install via npm:

RUN npm install -g typescript-language-server typescript

Claude Code LSP Plugins

When user requests LSP plugins from marketplace:

Add these plugins in Sandbox.toml:

[claude.plugins]
plugins = [
  "rust-analyzer-lsp@claude-plugins-official",
  "pyright-lsp@claude-plugins-official",
  "typescript-lsp@claude-plugins-official"
]

Note: LSP servers must be installed in container. Plugins just configure Claude Code to use them.

CLI Tools Installation

Tools List

Standard tools to install:

• ripgrep, fd, eza, jq, just
• repomix, scc, sg (ast-grep)
• bfs, xan, rga, pdfgrep, fq
• shellcheck, zizmor, git-cliff, has

Installation Methods

Via apt (if available):

RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
    ripgrep \
    fd-find \
    jq \
    pdfgrep \
    shellcheck \
    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

# Create symlinks where needed
RUN ln -s $(which fdfind) /usr/local/bin/fd

Via cargo:

RUN cargo install \
    eza \
    just \
    repomix \
    scc \
    bfs \
    xan \
    git-cliff \
    ast-grep \
    ripgrep_all \
    zizmor \
    has

Via download (for binaries like fq):

RUN wget https://github.com/wader/fq/releases/latest/download/fq_linux_amd64.tar.gz && \
    tar xzf fq_linux_amd64.tar.gz && \
    mv fq /usr/local/bin/ && \
    rm fq_linux_amd64.tar.gz

Installation Order

1. System packages first (apt) - fastest, most reliable
2. Cargo tools - compile from source, takes time
3. Binary downloads - fast, but version management needed

See references/tool-installation.md for complete installation commands and alternatives.

Shell Configuration

oh-my-zsh Installation

# Install zsh first
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y zsh && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

# Install oh-my-zsh
RUN sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)" "" --unattended

# Set zsh as default shell
RUN chsh -s $(which zsh)

Recommended Plugins

# In .zshrc
plugins=(
  git
  docker
  rust
  python
  node
  npm
  command-not-found
  colored-man-pages
  zsh-autosuggestions
  zsh-syntax-highlighting
)

Install additional plugins:

RUN git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-autosuggestions ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-autosuggestions && \
    git clone https://github.com/zsh-users/zsh-syntax-highlighting ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-~/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/plugins/zsh-syntax-highlighting

Custom Aliases

Add to .zshrc:

# eza aliases
alias l='eza -ao --sort=old -F=always --icons=auto --color=always --color-scale=size --color-scale-mode=gradient --group-directories-first --git --git-ignore --no-quotes --time-style=relative --no-permissions --no-user'
alias ll='l -l'
alias lk='eza -a -F=never --icons=never --group-directories-first'

# eza tree function
lt() {
  eza -alT --icons=always --color=always --color-scale=all --color-scale-mode=gradient --group-directories-first --git --git-ignore --no-quotes --level=${1:-2}
}

Starship Installation and Configuration

Install:

RUN curl -sS https://starship.rs/install.sh | sh -s -- -y

Enable in .zshrc:

eval "$(starship init zsh)"

Configuration (starship.toml):

Create /root/.config/starship.toml:

add_newline = true

# Container indicator - highly visible
[container]
disabled = false
symbol = "🐳 "
style = "bold red"
format = "[$symbol]($style)"

# Hostname in red to indicate sandbox
[hostname]
ssh_only = false
format = "[$hostname]($style) "
style = "bold red"

# Directory
[directory]
style = "cyan"
truncation_length = 3
fish_style_pwd_dir_length = 1

# Prompt character
[character]
success_symbol = "[❯](bold red)"
error_symbol = "[❯](bold red)"

# Git
[git_branch]
format = "[$symbol$branch]($style) "
style = "bold purple"

[git_status]
style = "bold yellow"

# Language versions (show when relevant)
[rust]
symbol = "🦀 "
format = "[$symbol($version )]($style)"

[python]
symbol = "🐍 "
format = "[$symbol($version )]($style)"

[nodejs]
symbol = "⬢ "
format = "[$symbol($version )]($style)"

# Disable slow modules
[gcloud]
disabled = true

[kubernetes]
disabled = true

Themes: See references/starship-themes.md for alternative configurations.

Environment Variables

Language-Specific Environment Setup

Rust:

ENV PATH="/root/.cargo/bin:${PATH}"
ENV RUSTUP_HOME="/root/.rustup"
ENV CARGO_HOME="/root/.cargo"

Python:

ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV PIP_NO_CACHE_DIR=1

Node.js:

ENV NVM_DIR="/root/.nvm"
ENV NODE_PATH="$NVM_DIR/versions/node/$(cat $NVM_DIR/alias/default)/lib/node_modules"
ENV PATH="$NVM_DIR/versions/node/$(cat $NVM_DIR/alias/default)/bin:$PATH"

Shell RC Files

Ensure language tools available in shell:

# .zshrc additions
export PATH="/root/.cargo/bin:$PATH"

export NVM_DIR="/root/.nvm"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"

eval "$(starship init zsh)"

Version Conflict Resolution

User Override vs Detected Version

Scenario: Project has Python 3.12 in pyproject.toml, user says "use current stable" (3.14.2)

Resolution:

1. User preference takes precedence - install what user requested
2. Warn about mismatch:

⚠️  Warning: Project specifies Python 3.12 in pyproject.toml, but you requested current stable (3.14.2).
Installing Python 3.14.2 as requested.

Note: You may need to update pyproject.toml to match:
  requires-python = ">=3.14.2"

3. Install user's version
4. Add note to SANDBOX.md about the version mismatch

Missing Version Specification

Scenario: Language detected but no version file

Resolution:

1. Prompt user with suggested version:

Detected Node.js project, but no .nvmrc or .node-version file found.

What version should I install?
- current (latest stable - recommended)
- lts (long-term support)
- nightly (bleeding edge)
- specific version (e.g., 18.20.0)

2. Default to current stable if user says "whatever works"

Additional Resources

Reference Files

Detailed installation instructions and troubleshooting:

• references/tool-installation.md - Complete installation commands for all tools
• references/version-management.md - Advanced version detection and management
• references/starship-themes.md - Starship configuration examples

Scripts

Utility scripts for automation:

• scripts/detect_languages.py - Language detection
• scripts/parse_versions.py - Version extraction from config files
• scripts/install_tools.sh - Batch tool installation

Examples

Working configuration examples:

• examples/.zshrc - Complete zsh configuration
• examples/starship.toml - Starship config with container theme

Integration with Other Skills

With docker-sandbox-setup:

• This skill provides the Dockerfile commands for language installation
• docker-sandbox-setup provides the container structure

With sandbox-config-management:

• Read language versions from Sandbox.toml
• Update Sandbox.toml with detected or installed versions

Quick Reference

Detect languages: python3 scripts/detect_languages.py /project

Parse versions: python3 scripts/parse_versions.py /project

Version keywords (ALWAYS use for "current/latest"):

• Rust: stable (not version numbers)
• Python: uv python install (not 3.x)
• Node.js: nvm install node (not version numbers)

Version keywords (LTS):

• Rust: stable (no official LTS)
• Python: current stable (no official LTS)
• Node.js: nvm install --lts

Version keywords (nightly/bleeding edge):

• Rust: nightly
• Python: uv python install nightly
• Node.js: nvm install node --latest-npm

LSP servers:

• rust-analyzer: rustup component add rust-analyzer
• pyright: npm install -g pyright
• typescript-language-server: npm install -g typescript-language-server

Shell setup:

• oh-my-zsh: Auto-installed via script
• starship: curl -sS https://starship.rs/install.sh | sh
• Aliases: Add to .zshrc