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ADR-0003: Docker Compose for Phase 1 Orchestration

Author: @MysterTech
Status: Accepted
Date: 2025-08-13
Deciders: @MysterTech
Technical Story:
Tags: orchestration, docker, compose

Context

  • DealSphere Phase 1 requires local development and integration testing environments that closely mirror production service topology.
  • Docker Compose provides container orchestration capabilities suitable for multi-service development environments and CI/CD workflows.
  • Team familiarity with containerization patterns and Docker ecosystem tools supports rapid adoption and troubleshooting.
  • PRD alignment: Development workflow and deployment strategy are prioritized for Phase 1 delivery timelines.

Decision

Adopt Docker Compose as the container orchestration platform for DealSphere Phase 1 local development, testing, and CI/CD environments.

Rationale

Why Docker Compose for Phase 1 Orchestration?

Development Environment Consistency - Standardized service configuration across all developer workstations. - Reproducible dependency management for databases, message brokers, and external service mocks. - Version-controlled environment definitions ensuring team alignment. - Simple service lifecycle management (start/stop/restart) for rapid iteration.

Integration Testing Support - Multi-container test suites with predictable service startup ordering. - Network isolation and service-to-service communication testing. - Database and external service state management for test scenarios. - CI/CD pipeline integration with consistent environment provisioning.

Operational Simplicity - Single-file service definitions (docker-compose.yml) for easy maintenance. - Built-in service discovery and DNS resolution between containers. - Volume mounting for development hot-reloading and persistent data. - Log aggregation and debugging tools compatible with Docker ecosystem.

Resource Management - Efficient resource utilization on developer machines compared to VM-based alternatives. - Fine-grained resource allocation per service (CPU/memory limits). - Automatic cleanup and container lifecycle management. - Minimal infrastructure overhead for local development workflows.

Technology Stack Alignment - Native Docker image support for Java 17 services and Spring Boot applications. - PostgreSQL, Redis, and other backing service containers readily available. - Corda node containerization patterns established in community. - GraphQL and gRPC service containerization well-documented.

CI/CD Integration - GitHub Actions and other CI systems provide built-in Docker Compose support. - Consistent environment definitions between local development and automated testing. - Parallel service builds and testing capabilities. - Easy integration with container registries for artifact management.

Deferred Alternatives

Kubernetes (Minikube/Kind) - Pros: Production-like orchestration capabilities and advanced networking features. - Cons: Significantly higher complexity for Phase 1 scope; resource overhead; learning curve.

Rejected Alternatives

VM-based Development - Pros: Complete isolation and familiar virtualization patterns. - Cons: Higher resource consumption; slower startup; complex dependency management.

Manual Service Management - Pros: Direct control over configuration and debugging. - Cons: Inconsistent environments; complex coordination; difficult integration testing.

Consequences

  • Positive:
    • Standardized environments reduce "works on my machine" issues and improve team productivity.
    • Multi-service integration testing is reliable and reproducible.
    • Container-based architecture provides a foundation for future Kubernetes migration.
  • Negative:
    • Requires all team members to have Docker knowledge.
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Provide comprehensive Docker/containerization training.
    • Create detailed documentation for common workflows/troubleshooting.
    • Establish service configuration/resource allocation guidelines.

Revisit Trigger and Target Sprint

  • Revisit Trigger:
    • Service scaling needs exceed single-machine capabilities.
    • Production needs require advanced orchestration (service mesh, networking, etc.).
    • Team size growth complicates coordination.
  • Target Sprint:
    • Sprint 1 (orchestration foundation established for Phase 1).

Guardrails

Must

  • Maintain environment parity between Docker Compose configurations and production deployments.
  • Document service interdependencies and startup ordering in compose files.
  • Set resource limits and health checks for all services.
  • Keep configurations version-controlled and synchronized.

Should

  • Review Docker Compose and service dependency documentation quarterly.
  • Automate health checks and resource limit validation in CI workflows.
  • Peer-review all configuration changes before merging to main branch.

Won't

  • Allow undocumented ad-hoc configuration changes.
  • Permit divergence between development and production orchestration files without explicit architectural review.
  • Support container versions/services that lack defined health checks or resource limits.

Approvals

Review Reviewer Date (YYYY-MM-DD) Status Notes
Architectural Review @MysterTech 2025-08-14 Approved
Security Review @MysterTech 2025-08-14 Approved
SRE Review @MysterTech 2025-08-14 Approved