add documentation for devcontainer setup

docs/reference/developer_documentation.md

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # Developer Documentation
 
+For developer quickstart instructions using Dev Containers see the [Developer Quickstart Guide](developer_quickstart.md)
+
 ## Installing
 
 1. Install prerequisites:
@@ -114,4 +116,4 @@ poetry publish --build
     ```
     docker-compose up --build
     ```
-3. The api can now be reached at http://localhost:5000 and the app can be reached but http://localhost:4200.
+3. The api can now be reached at http://localhost:5000 and the app can be reached but http://localhost:4200.

docs/reference/developer_quickstart.md

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Developer Quick Start Guide
+
+The fastest way to get up and running with a BuildingMOTIF developer environment is through the provided devcontainer.
+The BuildingMOTIF dev container image (located at `ghcr.io/nrel/buildingmotif/devcontainer`) comes with all of the python
+depencencies currently on the `develop` branch pre-installed. It also includes an install of node and angular for app
+development. Additionally the container includes the Docker CLI which will attempt to interface with the docker engine
+running on the host.
+
+## Prerequisites
+1. [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/)
+2. A supporting tool like [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) or the [Dev Container CLI](https://github.com/devcontainers/cli)
+
+## Setup
+
+The following sections provide instructions on using the devcontainer with several common setups.
+
+All setup instructions assume you have already cloned the BuildingMOTIF repository to your local machine.
+
+## VS Code
+1. Open the BuildingMOTIF repository in VS Code.
+1. A notification will appear saying that the "Folder contains a Dev Container configuration file"
+1. Click "Reopen in Container"
+1. VS Code will reopen, download the container and open BuildingMOTIF inside of it
+
+## Dev Container CLI
+1. Navigate to BuildingMOTIF
+1. Start the devcontainer `devcontainer up --workspace-folder .`
+1. Enter the devcontainer `devcontainer exec --workspace-folder . /bin/bash`
+
+## Other Tools
+More information about tools that support dev containers can be found on the [Dev Containers website](https://containers.dev/supporting).