docker-compose.yml

# docker-compose.yml — used for local development
# This file extends the production setup to build images locally instead of pulling from Docker Hub
# It also adds developer-friendly options for easier debugging and testing

services:
  backend:  # Backend service — Flask API
    build: ./backend  # Build the Docker image from the local 'backend' directory using its Dockerfile
    container_name: flask-api  # Name the container for easier debugging and referencing
    expose:
      - 5000  # Expose port 5000 to other containers (not accessible directly from the host machine)

  frontend:  # Frontend service — Node.js app
    build: ./frontend  # Build the Docker image from the local 'frontend' directory
    container_name: node-frontend  # Name the container for clarity
    expose:
      - 3000  # Expose port 3000 for internal access within the Docker network

  nginx:  # Nginx service — acts as a reverse proxy
    image: nginx:alpine  # Use the lightweight Alpine-based nginx image
    container_name: nginx-proxy  # Set container name for easier management
    ports:
      - "80:80"  # Map port 80 from container to host so the app is reachable via browser (http://localhost)
    volumes:
      - ./nginx/nginx.conf:/etc/nginx/nginx.conf:ro  # Mount the local nginx configuration file as read-only
    depends_on:  # Ensure nginx starts only after backend and frontend containers are ready
      - backend
      - frontend