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Chetan Inaganti
Chetan Inaganti

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I Switched from Windows to WSL for Development—Here's What Changed

#wsl #docker #python #linux

I Switched from Windows to WSL for Development—Here's What Changed

After years of developing directly on Windows, I finally switched to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). I expected a small improvement—but it completely changed how I build software.

Why I Decided to Switch

I'm a third-year Computer Science student who spends most of my time building projects in Python, FastAPI, AI, Docker, and Android development.

As my projects became larger, I noticed something interesting:

Almost every tutorial, GitHub repository, and deployment guide assumed I was using Linux.

While Windows worked fine, I often had to find Windows-specific fixes or modify commands before they would work.

I wanted an environment that matched what developers actually use in production.

That's when I decided to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

My Development Setup

Here's my current setup:

  • 💻 Windows 11
  • 🐧 Ubuntu running inside WSL
  • 💙 VS Code with the Remote - WSL extension
  • 🐳 Docker Desktop
  • 🐍 Python
  • ⚡ FastAPI
  • 🌿 Git & GitHub

Now I can enjoy Windows for everyday tasks while developing inside a real Linux environment.

Best of both worlds.

What Improved

1. Everything Feels More Natural

Most developer documentation is written for Linux.

Instead of translating every command, I can simply copy and paste commands directly from tutorials.

Examples like:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install
chmod +x
ssh
curl
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work exactly as expected.

That alone has saved me a surprising amount of time.

2. Docker Finally Made Sense

I recently started learning Docker.

Almost every Docker tutorial assumes you're running Linux.

Inside WSL, Docker behaves exactly the way the documentation expects.

Creating images, running containers, mounting volumes, and using the terminal all feel much more straightforward.

3. VS Code Integration Is Excellent

One feature I didn't expect to enjoy this much was VS Code's Remote - WSL extension.

Opening a project inside WSL automatically gives me:

  • Linux terminal
  • Linux Python interpreter
  • Linux Git
  • Linux Docker
  • Better compatibility with development tools

without ever leaving VS Code.

It feels almost like using a native Linux machine.

4. Learning Linux Became Easier

Before switching, Linux was just another subject I wanted to learn.

Now I use it every day.

Simple commands like:

ls
cd
pwd
mkdir
cp
mv
grep
find
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have become part of my daily workflow.

The best way to learn Linux is by actually using it.

5. My Development Workflow Feels Cleaner

Instead of installing every tool directly on Windows, I now keep my development environment inside Linux.

That separation makes everything feel more organized.

It also gives me more confidence that my projects will behave similarly when deployed to cloud servers.

Challenges I Faced

The transition wasn't completely smooth.

Some things confused me at first:

  • Understanding Linux file paths
  • File permissions
  • WSL networking
  • Docker permissions
  • Knowing whether files lived in Windows or Linux

Fortunately, most of these issues were solved after spending a little time reading the documentation and experimenting.

What I'm Learning Next

Now that my environment is ready, I'm focusing on:

  • Docker
  • FastAPI
  • Machine Learning
  • AI Agents
  • System Design
  • Open Source

Having a proper Linux development environment makes learning these technologies much easier.

My Advice for Students

If you're a Computer Science student interested in:

  • Backend Development
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine Learning
  • DevOps
  • Cloud Computing
  • Open Source

I genuinely think learning WSL is worth the effort.

You don't need to replace Windows.

You simply gain access to a Linux environment that integrates beautifully with your existing workflow.

Final Thoughts

Switching to WSL wasn't just about installing another tool.

It changed how I approach software development.

I'm still learning every day, but moving closer to a Linux-based workflow has already made me more comfortable with modern development tools.

If you're thinking about making the switch, I'd say give it a try.

You might be surprised by how quickly it becomes part of your daily routine.

What About You?

  • Do you develop on Windows, Linux, or macOS?
  • Have you tried WSL?
  • What's one tool that improved your workflow the most?

I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments.

Happy coding! 🚀

Tags

#wsl #linux #docker #python

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