Instruction file imported from SamInTheShell/social (.github/instructions/docker.instructions.md). Copyright stays with the author.

Docker Instructions

This project uses multi-stage Docker builds and Docker Compose for development and production.

Multi-Stage Build Pattern

• Node.js stage builds the frontend static assets
• Go stage builds the backend binary with embedded frontend
• Final stage uses scratch image for minimal production container
• Frontend assets are embedded in the Go binary using //go:embed

Development vs Production

• docker-compose.deps.yml: Database and dependencies only for local development
• docker-compose.yml: Full stack including application container
• Use make services-up for local development with separate backend/frontend processes
• Use make compose-up for full containerized development

Environment Variables

• All configuration is done via environment variables
• No CLI flags or config files
• See main copilot instructions for complete environment variable reference
• Database auto-initialization is enabled in Docker Compose for convenience

Container Best Practices

• Use specific image versions (not latest)
• Run as non-root user (1000:1000) in production
• Keep containers stateless
• Use scratch base image for minimal attack surface
• Embed all static assets at build time