Docker for PHP Developers: From Zero to Production

Why Docker?

Docker eliminates the "works on my machine" problem by packaging your application with all its dependencies into a portable container. Every developer on your team runs the exact same environment.

Building a Laravel Docker Setup

A typical Laravel stack needs PHP-FPM, Nginx, MySQL, and Redis. Define each as a service in docker-compose.yml and let Docker Compose manage the networking between them.

Optimizing for Production

Use multi-stage builds to create lean production images. Install only production dependencies, compile assets during the build phase, and run as a non-root user for security.