thrillwiki_django_no_react/memory-bank/documentation/readme-development-setup-creation-2025-07-02.md

# README Development Environment Setup Documentation Creation

**Date**: July 2, 2025  
**Task**: Create comprehensive README for ThrillWiki development environment setup  
**Status**: ✅ COMPLETED  
**File Created**: [`README.md`](../../README.md)

## Task Overview

Created a comprehensive development environment setup guide for ThrillWiki, replacing the minimal existing README with detailed instructions covering all aspects of project setup and development workflow.

## Implementation Details

### README Structure Created

1. **Project Introduction**
   - Technology stack overview
   - Key features summary
   - Modern Django + HTMX + Tailwind architecture

2. **Prerequisites Section**
   - Python 3.11+ requirement
   - UV package manager installation
   - PostgreSQL with PostGIS setup
   - GDAL/GEOS libraries for GeoDjango
   - Node.js for Tailwind CSS

3. **Quick Start Guide**
   - Clone and setup instructions
   - Database creation and configuration
   - Environment setup
   - Migration process
   - Development server startup

4. **Development Workflow**
   - UV-only package management rules
   - Django command patterns with UV
   - CSS development with Tailwind
   - Critical command sequences

5. **Project Structure**
   - Complete directory overview
   - App-by-app descriptions
   - Key file locations

6. **Features Documentation**
   - Authentication system (OAuth)
   - Geographic features (PostGIS)
   - Content management
   - Modern frontend stack

7. **Testing Setup**
   - Pytest configuration
   - Playwright E2E testing
   - Coverage reporting

8. **Troubleshooting**
   - Common setup issues
   - PostGIS configuration problems
   - Library path issues
   - Port conflicts

## Critical Requirements Emphasized

### UV Package Manager
- **Strict Requirement**: Only use `uv add <package>` for dependencies
- **Never Use**: `pip install` or other package managers
- **Rationale**: Project standardized on UV for consistent dependency management

### Django Command Pattern
- **Required Format**: `uv run manage.py <command>`
- **Forbidden Patterns**: 
  - `python manage.py <command>`
  - `uv run python manage.py <command>`
- **Examples**: migrations, shell, createsuperuser, collectstatic

### Development Server Startup
- **Critical Command Sequence**:
  ```bash
  lsof -ti :8000 | xargs kill -9; find . -type d -name "__pycache__" -exec rm -r {} +; uv run manage.py tailwind runserver
  ```
- **Purpose**: 
  - Kills existing processes on port 8000
  - Cleans Python cache files
  - Starts Tailwind compilation
  - Runs Django development server

## Database Configuration

### PostgreSQL Setup
- Database name: `thrillwiki`
- User: `wiki`
- Password: `thrillwiki`
- Host: Configurable (currently `192.168.86.3`)
- PostGIS extension required

### GeoDjango Requirements
- GDAL and GEOS libraries
- Library path configuration in settings
- PostGIS backend for spatial data

## Technology Stack Documented

### Backend
- Django 5.0+ with GeoDjango
- PostgreSQL with PostGIS extension
- django-pghistory for audit trails
- Django Allauth for authentication

### Frontend
- HTMX for dynamic interactions
- Alpine.js for client-side behavior
- Tailwind CSS with custom dark theme
- Responsive design patterns

### Development Tools
- UV for package management
- Pytest for testing
- Playwright for E2E testing
- Coverage for test reporting

## Integration with Existing Documentation

### Memory Bank References
- Links to [`memory-bank/`](../README.md) documentation system
- References to design system documentation
- Integration with feature-specific docs

### .clinerules Compliance
- Enforced UV-only package management
- Required Django command patterns
- Critical server startup sequence
- Consistent with project development rules

## Key Sections Added

### Prerequisites
- Detailed installation instructions for all required software
- Platform-specific commands (macOS, Ubuntu/Debian)
- Version requirements clearly specified

### Quick Start
- Step-by-step setup process
- Database creation and user setup
- Environment configuration guidance
- Migration and superuser creation

### Development Workflow
- Package management best practices
- Django command patterns
- CSS development process
- Testing procedures

### Troubleshooting
- Common PostGIS issues
- Library path problems
- Port conflict resolution
- Tailwind compilation issues

## Success Criteria Met

- ✅ **Comprehensive Setup**: Complete environment setup instructions
- ✅ **Technology Stack**: Full documentation of all technologies used
- ✅ **Prerequisites**: Detailed installation requirements
- ✅ **Database Setup**: PostgreSQL and PostGIS configuration
- ✅ **Critical Commands**: Emphasized UV and Django command patterns
- ✅ **Project Structure**: Overview of all application components
- ✅ **Troubleshooting**: Common issues and solutions
- ✅ **Integration**: Links to existing memory bank documentation

## Future Maintenance

### Regular Updates Needed
- Keep dependency versions current
- Update troubleshooting section with new issues
- Maintain links to memory bank documentation
- Review and update setup instructions as project evolves

### Documentation Standards
- Maintain markdown formatting consistency
- Keep command examples accurate and tested
- Ensure all links remain valid
- Update version requirements as needed

## Impact

This comprehensive README provides:
1. **New Developer Onboarding**: Complete setup guide for new team members
2. **Development Standards**: Clear workflow and command patterns
3. **Troubleshooting Resource**: Solutions to common setup issues
4. **Project Overview**: Understanding of architecture and features
5. **Integration Point**: Connection to existing memory bank documentation

The README serves as the primary entry point for developers joining the ThrillWiki project, ensuring consistent development environment setup and adherence to project standards.