Lab

The lab resource defines the main configuration for your lab, including metadata, settings, layout, and content structure. This is equivalent to what was previously called a “track” in legacy formats.

Use Cases

As a lab author, you use the lab resource to define the overall lab experience:

• Learning Structure: Organize content into logical chapters and pages that guide users through progressive learning experiences
• Time Management: Configure time limits, extensions, and idle behavior to ensure appropriate pacing for learning objectives
• Interactive Learning: Structure labs to include tasks, quizzes, and other interactive elements that validate learning outcomes

The lab resource serves as the foundation that ties together all other lab components into a cohesive learning experience.

HCL Syntax

Basic Syntax

resource "lab" "name" {
  title       = "My Lab"
  description = "A brief description of what this lab teaches"
  layout      = resource.layout.two_column

  content {
    chapter "introduction" {
      title = "Getting Started"

      page "welcome" {
        reference = resource.page.welcome
      }
    }
  }
}

Full Syntax

resource "lab" "name" {
  title       = "My Lab"
  description = "A comprehensive description of the lab"
  tags        = ["docker", "kubernetes", "devops"]

  settings {
    theme = "modern_dark"

    timelimit {
      duration   = "30m"
      extend     = "5m"
      show_timer = true
    }

    idle {
      enabled      = true
      timeout      = "10m"
      show_warning = true
    }

    controls {
      show_stop = true
    }
  }

  layout = resource.layout.default

  content {
    title = "Lab Instructions"

    chapter "chapter1" {
      title  = "Introduction"
      layout = resource.layout.single_column

      page "page1" {
        title     = "Welcome"
        layout    = resource.layout.two_column
        reference = resource.page.welcome
      }
    }
  }
}

Resource Structure

lab
├─ title, description, tags (metadata)
├─ layout (reference to default layout)
├─ settings
│  ├─ theme
│  ├─ timelimit
│  │  ├─ duration, extend, show_timer
│  ├─ idle
│  │  ├─ enabled, timeout, show_warning
│  └─ controls
│     └─ show_stop
└─ content
   ├─ title
   └─ chapters[]
      ├─ title, layout (optional override)
      └─ pages[]
         ├─ title (optional override), layout (optional override)
         └─ reference (to page resource)

Fields

Core Configuration

lab

Field	Required	Type	Description
title	✓	string	The title of the lab
description	✓	string	A description of the lab
layout	✓	reference to layout	Default layout for the lab
tags		list(string)	Tags that describe the lab. Defaults to empty list.
settings		block	Lab configuration settings with default settings applied
content		block	Instructional content structure

Settings Configuration

lab → settings

Configuration for lab behavior, appearance, and constraints.

Field	Required	Type	Description
theme		string	UI theme: “modern_dark” or “original”. Defaults to “modern_dark”.
timelimit		block	Time limit configuration with default timelimit applied
idle		block	Idle timeout configuration with default idle applied
controls		block	UI control configuration with default controls applied

Timelimit Block

lab → settings → timelimit

Configures time limits and extensions for the lab session. Controls how long users have to complete the lab and whether they can request additional time.

Field	Required	Type	Description
duration		string	Maximum lab duration (Go duration format). Defaults to “15m”.
extend		string	Extension time allowed (Go duration format). Defaults to “0”.
show_timer		bool	Whether to show the timer to users. Defaults to true.

Idle Block

lab → settings → idle

Configures automatic lab termination when users are inactive. Helps manage resource usage by stopping labs that aren’t being actively used.

Field	Required	Type	Description
enabled		bool	Enable idle timeout. Defaults to true.
timeout		string	Idle timeout duration (Go duration format). Defaults to “5m”.
show_warning		bool	Show idle timeout warning to users. Defaults to true.

Controls Block

lab → settings → controls

Configures which UI controls are available to users during the lab session. Controls user interaction options and available actions.

Field	Required	Type	Description
show_stop		bool	Show the stop lab button to users. Defaults to true.

Content Structure

lab → content

Defines the instructional content organization.

Field	Required	Type	Description
title		string	Title for the content tab
chapters		block	Chapter definitions (repeatable)

Chapter Block

lab → content → chapters

Defines a logical grouping of related pages within the lab. Chapters provide structure and organization for the instructional content, allowing users to understand the learning progression.

Field	Required	Type	Description
slug	✓	label	Chapter identifier
title	✓	string	Chapter display title
layout		reference to layout	Layout override for this chapter. Defaults to lab default.
pages		block	Pages within the chapter (repeatable)

Page Block

lab → content → chapters → pages

Defines individual instructional pages within a chapter. Pages contain the actual content (markdown files) that users read and interact with during the lab.

Field	Required	Type	Description
slug	✓	label	Page identifier
title		string	Page title override. Defaults to value from page resource.
layout		reference to layout	Layout override for this page. Defaults to chapter default.
reference	✓	reference to page	Reference to the page resource

Default Values

The following defaults are applied automatically:

Settings Defaults

settings {
  theme = "modern_dark"

  timelimit {
    duration   = "15m"
    extend     = "0"
    show_timer = true
  }

  idle {
    enabled      = true
    timeout      = "5m"
    show_warning = true
  }

  controls {
    show_stop = true
  }
}

Validation Rules

• Theme validation: Must be “modern_dark” or “original”
• Duration formats: Must be valid Go duration strings (e.g., “15m”, “1h30m”, ”45s”)
• Layout inheritance: Page layouts inherit from chapters, chapters inherit from lab default
• Content structure: Pages must reference valid page resources

Examples

Minimal Lab

resource "lab" "basic" {
  title       = "Docker Basics"
  description = "Learn Docker fundamentals"
  layout      = resource.layout.two_column

  content {
    chapter "intro" {
      title = "Introduction"

      page "welcome" {
        reference = resource.page.welcome
      }
    }
  }
}

Lab with Custom Settings

resource "lab" "advanced" {
  title       = "Kubernetes Deep Dive"
  description = "Advanced Kubernetes concepts and practices"
  tags        = ["kubernetes", "advanced", "devops"]

  settings {
    theme = "original"

    timelimit {
      duration   = "2h"
      extend     = "30m"
      show_timer = true
    }

    idle {
      timeout = "15m"
    }
  }

  layout = resource.layout.three_column

  content {
    title = "Course Material"

    chapter "setup" {
      title = "Environment Setup"

      page "requirements" {
        reference = resource.page.requirements
      }

      page "installation" {
        reference = resource.page.installation
      }
    }

    chapter "basics" {
      title = "Kubernetes Basics"
      layout = resource.layout.two_column

      page "pods" {
        reference = resource.page.pods
      }

      page "services" {
        reference = resource.page.services
      }
    }
  }
}

Layout Inheritance

Layouts are inherited in the following order (most specific wins):

1. Page-level layout (highest priority)
2. Chapter-level layout
3. Lab-level layout (lowest priority)

resource "lab" "example" {
  layout = resource.layout.default  # Applied to all pages by default

  content {
    chapter "intro" {
      layout = resource.layout.two_column  # Overrides lab default for all pages in this chapter

      page "welcome" {
        reference = resource.page.welcome  # Uses chapter layout
      }

      page "setup" {
        layout    = resource.layout.three_column  # Overrides chapter layout for this page only
        reference = resource.page.setup
      }
    }
  }
}

Best Practices

1. Descriptive Titles: Use clear, descriptive titles for labs and chapters
2. Appropriate Timeframes: Set realistic time limits based on lab complexity
3. Tag Consistently: Use consistent tags across labs for better organization
4. Layout Hierarchy: Use layout inheritance to minimize repetition
5. Chapter Organization: Group related pages into logical chapters