Development
Prioritizes speed, editing convenience, bind mounts, live code changes, and easier debugging.
Lesson 17
Development vs production Docker setup
This page explains how Docker priorities change when moving from convenience-focused local work to stable production deployment.
Production
Prioritizes stability, smaller images, safer runtime behavior, and repeatable deployment.
Main warning
Using the exact same Docker behavior for both environments can create performance, security, or maintenance problems.
Development setup often includes
- Bind mounts
- Live reload or quick rebuild loops
- More debug-friendly tools
- Flexible local configuration
Production setup often includes
- Fixed built image
- No local source bind mount
- Smaller runtime image
- Stronger security and predictable startup
Main lesson
Development asks
How do I make coding and testing easier?
How do I make coding and testing easier?
Production asks
How do I make runtime safe, stable, and repeatable?
How do I make runtime safe, stable, and repeatable?
Best practice
Do not assume the same Docker behavior fits both equally well.
Do not assume the same Docker behavior fits both equally well.
Phase 2 complete: you now have the full intermediate lesson pack, from optimization through production-aware Docker thinking.