How to set up Xdebug with PhpStorm in Stacker?

The README links to a Russian-language video tutorial for configuring Xdebug. Generally, you need to set the PHP interpreter in PhpStorm to the Stacker container and configure server mappings for remote debugging, as outlined in the FAQ section.

Stacker vs Laravel Homestead: which is better?

Stacker claims to be faster than Homestead and is Docker-based for better portability, with a broader service stack. Homestead is more Laravel-specific and has a larger community, but Stacker offers more out-of-the-box tools for Symfony and mixed PHP projects.

Can I use Stacker for Node.js projects?

While Stacker includes Node.js and frontend tools like Gulp and Webpack, it's optimized for PHP development with services like MySQL and PHP Xdebug. For pure Node.js projects, a dedicated Node environment or simpler Docker setup might be more efficient.

How do I add a custom service like MongoDB to Stacker?

You can extend Stacker by adding custom Docker images to the docker-compose.yml file with minimal changes, as mentioned in the extensibility design. This involves defining a new service in the compose file and rebuilding the containers.

Why do I need to change my DNS settings for Stacker?

Stacker uses dnsmasq to automatically resolve *.dev domains for local projects. Setting your local DNS to 127.0.0.1 enables this, but you must also configure a secondary DNS like 8.8.8.8 to avoid connectivity issues, as per the installation steps.

Is Stacker good for legacy PHP 5 projects?

Yes, Stacker includes a php5apache container for legacy PHP support, as listed in the services. However, primary focus is on PHP 7 with Xdebug, so ensure compatibility with your project's requirements.

Open-Awesome

Stacker

MITShell1.0.0

A Docker-based local web development environment with pre-configured services and a powerful ZSH console for PHP projects.

Visit Website GitHub

362 stars24 forks0 contributors

What is Stacker?

Stacker is a Docker-based local web development environment that provides a pre-configured stack of services like Nginx, databases, and caching tools. It solves the problem of manual environment setup by offering a ready-to-use solution that works out of the box, allowing developers to start coding immediately without configuring servers or editing hosts files.

Target Audience

PHP developers working with frameworks like Symfony or Laravel who need a consistent, fast, and easy-to-set-up local development environment. It's also suitable for frontend developers using tools like Node.js, Gulp, or Webpack within PHP projects.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Stacker for its all-in-one approach, eliminating configuration headaches and providing a performant alternative to solutions like Laravel Homestead. Its Docker-based design ensures portability and cleanliness, while the integrated ZSH console with framework autocompletion boosts productivity.

Overview

Stacker - The environment for local web development, ready for use.

Use Cases

Best For

Setting up a local PHP development environment quickly
Developing Symfony or Laravel applications with integrated tooling
Working with multiple services like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Elasticsearch locally
Debugging PHP applications with Xdebug and PhpStorm
Managing frontend assets with Node.js, Gulp, or Webpack in PHP projects
Keeping host machines clean by containerizing all development dependencies

Not Ideal For

Non-PHP development projects or those using other backend stacks like Node.js or Python
Developers who prefer minimal, single-service environments without the overhead of a full stack
Teams in restricted network environments where changing DNS settings is prohibited

Pros & Cons

Pros

Pre-configured Service Stack

Includes essential services like Nginx, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, and Redis out of the box, eliminating manual configuration for common web development needs.

Enhanced Developer Console

Comes with a ZSH shell, oh-my-zsh, and autocompletion for Symfony and Laravel commands, as shown in the video demos, speeding up development workflows.

Docker-Based Portability

Runs entirely in Docker containers, keeping the host system clean and allowing easy replication across different machines, as emphasized in the philosophy.

Easy Project Integration

Projects placed in the workspace folder are automatically accessible via browser without manual host file edits, demonstrated in the installation guide.

Cons

Complex Initial Setup

Requires Docker and Docker Compose installation, plus non-trivial DNS configuration changes, which can be a barrier for users unfamiliar with system networking.

PHP-Centric Tooling

Autocompletion and optimizations are tailored for Symfony and Laravel, making it less ideal for projects using other PHP frameworks or non-PHP languages.

Documentation Language Barriers

Key instructional videos and some resources are in Russian, which may limit accessibility for English-speaking developers seeking quick guidance.

Open Source Alternative To

Stacker is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Laravel Homestead

Laravel Homestead is an official, pre-packaged Vagrant box that provides a development environment for Laravel without requiring local PHP/Web server installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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