Docker for Web Developers
A practical Docker guide for developers who build real web apps. You will start with one app (Next.js), then grow into a full stack (Next.js, Express, PostgreSQL) once you are comfortable.
Why This Guide
Most Docker tutorials show random examples that do not connect to each other. This guide is different.
- You start with one app and repeat the same steps until they feel natural.
- Only after that, you add more pieces — a backend, a database.
- Every command is explained before you run it. You will understand why, not just what to type.
Who This Is For
- Developers who write code but have never used Docker
- Developers who use Docker commands from memory but do not understand what happens underneath
- Anyone who wants to deploy a Next.js / Express / PostgreSQL project confidently
What You Will Build
By the end of this guide, you will run a complete stack in containers:
- A Next.js frontend
- An Express API backend
- A PostgreSQL database (with a look at MongoDB as an alternative)
All connected together with Docker Compose, running like a real production setup.
What’s Inside
This guide is organized into sections. Each one builds on the last.
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Foundation | What Docker is, installation, core concepts, your first container, essential commands |
| Building Images | Writing a Dockerfile, building, running, pushing, shrinking, and multi-arch builds |
| Data & Networking | Volumes, bind mounts, container networking, and environment variables |
| Multi-container | Docker Compose, running Next.js + Express + PostgreSQL together, health checks, and secrets |
More sections will be added as this guide grows: production deployment.
How to Use This Guide
Read one page, then open a terminal and do it yourself. Docker is a hands-on skill — reading alone will not teach it.
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