🐳 Docker Development Workflow

This is your cheat sheet for updating Docker containers during development. Since our Docker setup creates optimized, isolated images, you need to tell Docker when to rebuild things based on what files you changed.

⚡ Quick Reference

If you changed...	Run this command
Frontend Code (apps/frontend/**)	docker compose up -d --build frontend
Backend Code (apps/backend/**)	docker compose up -d --build backend
Shared Packages (packages/**)	docker compose up -d --build
Dependencies (package.json)	docker compose up -d --build
Environment (.env)	docker compose up -d (No build needed)

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🛠️ Detailed Scenarios

1. I changed Frontend UI or Logic

(e.g., edited App.jsx, CSS files, or components)

Since the frontend is built inside the container (Multi-Stage Build), you must rebuild the container to re-compile the checks.

docker compose up -d --build frontend

2. I changed Backend API or Services

(e.g., edited controllers, services, or utils)

The backend code needs to be copied into the container image.

docker compose up -d --build backend

3. I installed a new NPM Package

(e.g., ran npm install moment)

The container needs to run npm install to pick up the new dependency.

# Safest bet: Rebuild everything
docker compose up -d --build

4. I changed Database Schema (Prisma)

(e.g., edited schema.prisma)

You need to create a migration locally, then rebuild the backend so it generates the new Prisma Client.

1. Generate Migration:

   cd apps/backend
   npx prisma migrate dev --name <my-change>
   cd ../..
2. Rebuild Backend:

   docker compose up -d --build backend

5. I changed Environment Variables

(e.g., edited docker-compose.yml or .env)

You don't need to rebuild code, just recreate the container to inject the new values.

docker compose up -d

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🛑 Troubleshooting

Container won't pick up changes? Sometimes Docker cache is stubborn. Force a clean rebuild:

docker compose build --no-cache frontend
docker compose up -d frontend

"Module not found"? Did you add a new file in a shared package? You must rebuild all services that use that package.

docker compose up -d --build