Manim DevContainer Template

This repository provides a ready-to-use development environment for creating mathematical animations with Manim Community Edition, powered by Dev Containers in Visual Studio Code.

🚀 Setup

Clone or download this repository:

⬇️ Download This Template

Unzip the downloaded file and open the folder in Visual Studio Code.

🛠 Development Environment

This template uses a Dev Container based on the official manimcommunity/manim image with LaTeX support.

To start development:

1. Open the folder in VS Code.
2. When prompted, click "Reopen in Container".
3. VS Code will automatically build and enter the container.

Once the container starts, you can:

• Run Manim scripts from the integrated terminal:

  manim main.py HelloWorld

• Create and edit .py files using VS Code’s IntelliSense and Python extensions.

📦 Requirements

Before you begin, ensure the following tools are installed on your host machine:

• Docker
• Visual Studio Code
• Dev Containers extension

📌 Usage

Example Manim command to render a scene:

manim main.py HelloWorld

If your scene uses LaTeX (e.g., Tex(...) or MathTex(...)), ensure the required TeX packages are installed. This template includes:

• texlive-latex-extra
• luatex85.sty
• dvisvgm

🔧 Customization

You may modify the following files as needed:

• .devcontainer/devcontainer.json
• .devcontainer/Dockerfile
• main.py (example script)

🧩 Extensions

This development container includes several useful VS Code extensions:

"extensions": [
  "ms-python.python",
  "oderwat.indent-rainbow",
  "ms-ceintl.vscode-language-pack-ja",
  "Rickaym.manim-sideview"
]

These extensions provide Python language support, syntax highlighting, Japanese localization, and an integrated live preview tool for Manim.

🧭 Note: The extension Rickaym.manim-sideview enables live preview and rendering for Manim scenes directly within VS Code.

Once the extension is installed and a .py file containing a Scene subclass is open, you can either:

• Press the green Runs icon from the top menu bar
• Or press Ctrl + ', then r

to start rendering the animation with a live preview like shown below:

For a full list of features and shortcuts, please visit the Manim Sideview extension page.

🎯 Notes

• This template is suitable for mathematical animation, education, research demos, and video production using Manim.
• It supports both Tex() and MathTex() rendering via LaTeX inside the container.

🔗 Useful Links

• 🌐 3Blue1Brown YouTube Channel (Manim origin)
• 📘 Manim Community Documentation
• 🧩 Manim Sideview Extension
• 🧩 Python Extension for VS Code
• 🧩 Indent Rainbow Extension
• 🧩 Japanese Language Pack for VS Code