diff --git a/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ce047edd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+// For format details, see https://aka.ms/devcontainer.json. For config options, see the
+// README at: https://github.com/devcontainers/templates/tree/main/src/alpine
+{
+	"name": "Python, .NET, Azure Functions, and Node.js",
+	// Or use a Dockerfile or Docker Compose file. More info: https://containers.dev/guide/dockerfile
+	"image": "mcr.microsoft.com/vscode/devcontainers/python:3.8",
+
+	// Features to add to the dev container. More info: https://containers.dev/features.
+	"features": {
+		"ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/dotnet:2": {
+			"version": "8.0"
+		},
+		"ghcr.io/jlaundry/devcontainer-features/azure-functions-core-tools:1": {
+				"version": "4"
+		},
+		"ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/node:1": {
+			"version": "lts"
+		}
+	},
+
+	// Use 'forwardPorts' to make a list of ports inside the container available locally.
+	// "forwardPorts": [],
+
+	// Use 'postCreateCommand' to run commands after the container is created.
+	"postCreateCommand": "./.devcontainer/setup.sh",
+
+	// Configure tool-specific properties.
+	"customizations": {
+		"vscode": {
+			"extensions": [
+				"GitHub.copilot",
+				"ms-python.python",
+				"ms-azuretools.vscode-azurestorage",
+				"njpwerner.autodocstring"
+			]
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Uncomment to connect as root instead. More info: https://aka.ms/dev-containers-non-root.
+	// "remoteUser": "root"
+}
diff --git a/.devcontainer/setup.sh b/.devcontainer/setup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..3f7f8030
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.devcontainer/setup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+
+
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index bdc35caf..3a61d052 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -132,3 +132,6 @@ appsettings.*.json
 /samples/python_durable_bindings/bin/
 /samples/python_durable_bindings/.vs/
 /samples/python_durable_bindings/obj/
+
+# azurite emulator
+__azurite_db_*.json
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 12863412..631cc81a 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -18,11 +18,13 @@ Thank you for taking the time to contribute to Durable Functions in [Python](htt
 
 ## Pre-requisites
 
+> Alternatively you can use a dev container or [open in GitHub Codespaces](https://codespaces.new/Azure/azure-functions-durable-python).
+
 - OS
     - MacOS (or) Windows10 Ubuntu WSL
 - Language Runtimes
     - .NET Core 2.0
-    - \>= Python 3.6.x 
+    - \>= Python 3.6.x
 
 Note: Some ML libraries may not be compatible with newer Python versions. Make sure the library is compatible with the Python version.
 
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ Note: Some ML libraries may not be compatible with newer Python versions. Make s
     - [Azure Storage Emulator](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-use-emulator) (or) [Create a storage account in Azure](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-account-create?tabs=azure-portal)
     - [Azure Functions Core Tools](https://github.com/Azure/azure-functions-core-tools) v2.7.x and above.
     - [Azure Storage Explorer](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/features/storage-explorer/)
-  
+
 
 ## Pull Request Change flow