Implement production-ready Dockerfile and Docker Compose

[Nitya-003]

🧩 Problem

"It works on my machine" is a risk for a complex blockchain project like CropChain. Between different Node versions, OS-specific dependencies, and environment variables, setting up the project can be slow for new contributors.

Impact: Dockerization ensures that the environment in development, testing, and production (Ethereum/Polygon deployment) is 100% identical.

✨ Proposed Change

Create a multi-stage Dockerfile to optimize image size and a docker-compose.yml to orchestrate the Frontend, Backend, and a local MongoDB instance.

Technical Requirements:

1. Dockerfile (Root/Production):
   • Stage 1 (Base): Use node:18-alpine as the base image.
   • Stage 2 (Builder): Install dependencies, copy source code, and run npm run build for the React frontend.
   • Stage 3 (Runner): A slim production-ready image that only contains the necessary /dist files and Node.js runtime.
2. Docker Compose:
   • Define a db service using the official mongo:latest image.
   • Define a backend service linked to the database.
   • Define a frontend service (Vite/React).
3. Environment Management:
   • Ensure the Docker setup can read from a .env file for sensitive data (Infura URLs, Private Keys, MongoDB URI).
4. Optimization:
   • Add a .dockerignore file to exclude node_modules, build, and .git folders to keep the build context light.

✅ Acceptance Criteria

• A functional Dockerfile exists that builds both the client and server.
• Running docker-compose up starts the DB, Backend, and Frontend simultaneously.
• The Docker image is optimized (under 400MB).
• Documentation added to README.md under a new "Docker Setup" section.
• The app is accessible at localhost:3000 (Frontend) and localhost:3001 (Backend) within the container network.

🛠️ Implementation Hint

For the Frontend build in Docker, remember to pass your VITE_ or REACT_APP_ environment variables during the build stage, otherwise, they won't be baked into the static files!

# Example Snippet
FROM node:18-alpine AS builder
WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm install
COPY . .
RUN npm run build

[prashuu181]

Hi, I’m a mentee in Apertre 3.0.
I’d like to work on this issue. Please assign it to me.
Thank you!

[Nitya-003]

@prashuu181 Feel free to star, fork and contribute to the repo.

[vedhapprakashni]

@prashuu181 Hi! Please update your progress

[prashuu181]

@prashuu181 Hi! Please update your progress

Yeahh!! Please have started ...i will update you tomorrow

[Nitya-003]

@prashuu181 Any updates?

[udaykiran243]

hey @Nitya-003 please assign this issue to me.