I'm currently juggling multiple local development environments that include a frontend using Vite, a backend with FastAPI along with a Node service, a Postgres database running in Docker, an auth server in a separate container, and various mock data tools for testing. Each time I sit down to work, I end up spending 10 to 15 minutes starting and stopping services, checking ports, and fixing broken container states. While tools like Blackbox help me understand scripts better, my setup still feels incredibly fragile. Are there better methods or tools for managing these environments, especially for solo developers or small teams? I'm looking for serious suggestions on scripts, tools, or practices that might help me streamline this process.
5 Answers
A structured folder organization can make a big difference. For instance, use separate folders for different environments or services. You could have something like this:
```
infra
infra/nexus
infra/zen
infra/lab
```
Each folder can contain specific Docker hosts and configurations. You can also set up a centralized taskfile that automates bringing services up and down across those directories with proper environment variable settings. This method has proven quite reliable for me!
Instead of letting your app handle service discovery by itself, setting up a reverse proxy like Nginx or a service mesh can simplify things a lot. For local development, you can use a static configuration which limits the number of local services needed. This enables smoother testing without a lot of running parts, which is especially helpful for junior devs who don’t need to manage everything.
In my experience, I've been using Aspire for this purpose, which is great for starting containers, launching projects in the debugger, and managing service discovery with no manual configuration. It operates purely through code, making transitions smoother when deploying. Although it's mainly designed for .NET, there should be equally good options for JS/Python stacks out there!
You might want to look into using docker-compose. By putting all your services — frontend, backend, database, auth, and mocks — into a single docker-compose.yml file, you can spin everything up with just one command. Creating a simple Makefile with commands like `make start`, `make stop`, and `make reset` can also save you from typing out long commands every time. For testing, having a separate compose file with disposable databases can help you reset without messing with your main setup. Standardizing port numbers in an `.env` file is another great way to keep things organized and avoid guessing what’s running where. If you want to explore more advanced options, tools like Tilt or Taskfile might be worth checking out, although basic scripting can go a long way!
If you have many services, I find it easier to separate each service into its own file and use `include:` in the main compose file to merge them together.
Totally agree! If your stack is more complex than just `docker-compose up -d` and `docker-compose down`, it might be time to simplify things a bit. Too much complexity can lead to fragility.
Using a robust proxy service can really streamline development. Consider setting up something like nginx for easy service discovery. This way, you can manage shared services efficiently while focusing on individual behavioral changes. Pairing this with Docker Compose as suggested earlier might just be the perfect solution!
Great point! Having everything organized helps a lot. I love how your taskfile can dynamically handle different environments.