Install node_modules inside Docker container and synchronize them with host

Question

I have the problem with installing node_modules inside the Docker container and synchronize them with the host. My Docker\'s version is 18.03.1-ce, build

Answer 1

I wouldn't suggest overlapping volumes, although I haven't seen any official docs ban it, I've had some issues with it in the past. How I do it is:

1. Get rid of the external volume as you are not planning on actually using it how it's meant to be used - respawning the container with its data created specifically in the container after stopping+removing it.

The above might be achieved by shortening your compose file a bit:

frontend:
  build: ./app/frontend
  volumes:
    - ./app/frontend:/usr/src/app
  ports:
    - 3000:3000
  environment:
    NODE_ENV: ${ENV}
  command: npm start

2. Avoid overlapping volume data with Dockerfile instructions when not necessary.

That means you might need two Dockerfiles - one for local development and one for deploying a fat image with all the application dist files layered inside.

That said, consider a development Dockerfile:

FROM node:10
RUN mkdir -p /usr/src/app
WORKDIR /usr/src/app
RUN npm install

The above makes the application create a full node_modules installation and map it to your host location, while the docker-compose specified command would start your application off.