What’s a simple development setup for React, Node, and databases on CachyOS?

I agree with keeping Node on the host initially. Dockerizing the entire stack introduces another layer to troubleshoot, and npm workflows can feel more complicated. Start with the application running locally and put PostgreSQL or MariaDB in a container. Later, if you need a fully isolated or reproducible setup, you can move Node into Docker or look into tools such as Nix and devenv.

For this stack, I’d keep Node.js, React, and Express on the host for now, then run PostgreSQL or MariaDB in Docker Compose. Containers are especially useful for databases because you can recreate or reset them easily without tying the database installation to your rolling system. Use a version manager such as fnm, nvm, or asdf, and commit an .nvmrc or tool-versions file so the project specifies its Node.js version. Running Node inside Docker is possible, but it can add complications with file watching, permissions, and debugging while you’re still learning.