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

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:

  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/ 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.