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1st chunk of `content/get-started/introduction/develop-with-containers.md`
a667b63e8b8d656a538c2fe1b49312fa16c55b71064701560000000100000847
---
title: Develop with containers
keywords: concepts, build, images, container, docker desktop
description: This concept page will teach you how to develop with containers
summary: |
  Learn how to run your first container, gaining hands-on experience with
  Docker's powerful features. We'll cover making real-time changes to both
  backend and frontend code within the containerized environment, ensuring
  seamless integration and testing.
weight: 2
aliases:
 - /guides/getting-started/develop-with-containers/
---

{{< youtube-embed D0SDBrS3t9I >}}

## Explanation

Now that you have Docker Desktop installed, you are ready to do some application development. Specifically, you will do the following:

1. Clone and start a development project
2. Make changes to the backend and frontend
3. See the changes immediately

## Try it out

In this hands-on guide, you'll learn how to develop with containers.


## Start the project

1. To get started, either clone or [download the project as a ZIP file](https://github.com/docker/getting-started-todo-app/archive/refs/heads/main.zip) to your local machine.

    ```console
    $ git clone https://github.com/docker/getting-started-todo-app
    ```

    And after the project is cloned, navigate into the new directory created by the clone:

    ```console
    $ cd getting-started-todo-app
    ```

2. Once you have the project, start the development environment using Docker Compose.


    To start the project using the CLI, run the following command:

   ```console
   $ docker compose watch
   ```

   You will see an output that shows container images being pulled down, containers starting, and more. Don't worry if you don't understand it all at this point. But, within a moment or two, things should stabilize and finish.


3. Open your browser to [http://localhost](http://localhost) to see the application up and running. It may take a few minutes for the app to run. The app is a simple to-do application, so feel free to add an item or two, mark some as done, or even delete an item.
Title: Starting a Development Project with Docker Compose
Summary
This section guides you through setting up a development project using Docker Compose. It involves cloning or downloading a project, navigating to its directory, and running the `docker compose watch` command to start the development environment. Accessing `http://localhost` in your browser will display the running application, a simple to-do list app, where you can add, mark as done, or delete items.