March 20, 2026
Docker + CI/CD from Day One
Context
Many developers postpone Docker and CI/CD until late in a project. For an AI-assisted build, automation is even more critical.
Decision
Containerized the application with Docker and set up GitHub Actions CI/CD before building core features.
Alternatives Considered
Manual deployment
Pros
- No upfront configuration
- Simple to start
Cons
- Error-prone manual steps
- No testing pipeline
- Harder for AI to debug production issues
Deploy after features are complete
Pros
- Focus on code first
Cons
- Integration surprises late in development
- AI iterations are slower without feedback loop
Reasoning
AI can iterate much faster when the feedback loop is automated. Every push triggers tests and deployment — AI sees the results immediately and fixes issues. This creates a tight prompt-build-test cycle.