How can I speed up my WSL2 Docker Compose setup for local development?

One straightforward way to optimize your setup is to switch to a native Linux environment instead of WSL2. The reason is that Docker requires a Linux kernel to function optimally, and using Docker on Windows often involves some complexities that can slow you down. If it's feasible, moving your development to a Linux machine would be the most effective way to maximize performance. I understand that many teams are accustomed to Windows, but if performance is a priority, reconsidering the environment is worthwhile.

First off, make sure you’re using multi-stage builds in your Dockerfiles. This can significantly speed up your build process. With multi-stage builds, you only rebuild layers that have changed, so if your application code changes but your dependencies remain the same, it won't have to reload all those dependency files each time. That simple tweak can dramatically speed things up during development. Also, look into caching dependencies from nearby mirrors, especially in a team environment.

Have you checked out Dev Containers? They can really help streamline your development environment by providing a consistent setup across different machines. It allows you to configure your environment as code, which means you could easily share settings and dependencies across your team.