diff --git a/.devcontainer/Dockerfile b/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
index bafa6c3..53dad04 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
+++ b/.devcontainer/Dockerfile
@@ -8,18 +8,34 @@ FROM php:7-cli
 # Avoid warnings by switching to noninteractive
 ENV DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
 
+# This Dockerfile adds a non-root user with sudo access. Use the "remoteUser"
+# property in devcontainer.json to use it. On Linux, the container user's GID/UIDs
+# will be updated to match your local UID/GID (when using the dockerFile property).
+# See https://aka.ms/vscode-remote/containers/non-root-user for details.
+ARG USERNAME=vscode
+ARG USER_UID=1000
+ARG USER_GID=$USER_UID
+
 # Configure apt and install packages
 RUN apt-get update \
-    && apt-get -y install --no-install-recommends apt-utils 2>&1 \
+    && apt-get -y install --no-install-recommends apt-utils dialog 2>&1 \
     #
-    # Install git, procps, lsb-release (useful for CLI installs)
-    && apt-get -y install git procps lsb-release \
-	#
-	# Install xdebug
-	&& yes | pecl install xdebug \
-	&& echo "zend_extension=$(find /usr/local/lib/php/extensions/ -name xdebug.so)" > /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/xdebug.ini \
-	&& echo "xdebug.remote_enable=on" >> /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/xdebug.ini \
-	&& echo "xdebug.remote_autostart=on" >> /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/xdebug.ini \
+    # install git iproute2, procps, lsb-release (useful for CLI installs)
+    && apt-get -y install git iproute2 procps iproute2 lsb-release \
+    #
+    # Install xdebug
+    && yes | pecl install xdebug \
+    && echo "zend_extension=$(find /usr/local/lib/php/extensions/ -name xdebug.so)" > /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/xdebug.ini \
+    && echo "xdebug.remote_enable=on" >> /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/xdebug.ini \
+    && echo "xdebug.remote_autostart=on" >> /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/xdebug.ini \
+    #
+    # Create a non-root user to use if preferred - see https://aka.ms/vscode-remote/containers/non-root-user.
+    && groupadd --gid $USER_GID $USERNAME \
+    && useradd -s /bin/bash --uid $USER_UID --gid $USER_GID -m $USERNAME \
+    # [Optional] Add sudo support for the non-root user
+    && apt-get install -y sudo \
+    && echo $USERNAME ALL=\(root\) NOPASSWD:ALL > /etc/sudoers.d/$USERNAME\
+    && chmod 0440 /etc/sudoers.d/$USERNAME \
     #
     # Clean up
     && apt-get autoremove -y \
@@ -29,4 +45,3 @@ RUN apt-get update \
 # Switch back to dialog for any ad-hoc use of apt-get
 ENV DEBIAN_FRONTEND=dialog
 
-
diff --git a/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
index 6e44ac4..472bff4 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
+++ b/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json
@@ -1,12 +1,26 @@
-
 {
-	"name": "PHP",
+	"name": "PHP 7",
 	"dockerFile": "Dockerfile",
-	"extensions": [
-        "felixfbecker.php-debug",
-		"felixfbecker.php-intellisense"
-	],
-	"settings": {
+	
+	// Use 'settings' to set *default* container specific settings.json values on container create. 
+	// You can edit these settings after create using File > Preferences > Settings > Remote.
+	"settings": { 
 		"terminal.integrated.shell.linux": "/bin/bash"
-	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+	},
+		
+	// Use 'appPort' to create a container with published ports. If the port isn't working, be sure
+	// your server accepts connections from all interfaces (0.0.0.0 or '*'), not just localhost.
+	// "appPort": [],
+
+	// Uncomment the next line to run commands after the container is created.
+	// "postCreateCommand": "php -v",
+
+	// Comment out if you want to use root
+	"remoteUser": "vscode",
+
+	// Add the IDs of extensions you want installed when the container is created in the array below.
+	"extensions": [
+		"felixfbecker.php-debug",
+		"felixfbecker.php-intellisense"
+	]
+}
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8560011..9fb0872 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,15 +10,24 @@ Follow these steps to open this sample in a container:
 
 1. If this is your first time using a development container, please follow the [getting started steps](https://aka.ms/vscode-remote/containers/getting-started).
 
-2. If you're not yet in a development container:
-   - Clone this repository.
+2. To use this repository, you can either open a locally cloned copy of the code:
+
+   - Clone this repository to your local filesystem.
    - Press <kbd>F1</kbd> and select the **Remote-Containers: Open Folder in Container...** command.
    - Select the cloned copy of this folder, wait for the container to start, and try things out!
 
+   Or open the repository in an isolated Docker volume:
+
+    - Press <kbd>F1</kbd> and select the **Remote-Containers: Try a Sample...** command.
+    - Choose the "Node" sample, wait for the container to start and try things out!
+        > **Note:** Under the hood, this will use **Remote-Containers: Open Repository in Container...** command to clone the source code in a Docker volume instead of the local filesystem.
+
 ## Things to try
 
 Once you have this sample opened in a container, you'll be able to work with it like you would locally.
 
+> **Note:** This container runs as a non-root user with sudo access by default. Comment out `"remoteUser": "vscode"` in `.devcontainer/devcontainer.json` if you'd prefer to run as root.
+
 Some things to try:
 
 1. **Edit:**