Improve dev setup

README.md

@@ -46,3 +46,61 @@ docker compose up -d
 ```
 
 Open `http://localhost:8080`.
+
+## Development
+
+### Quick Start with Docker Compose
+
+Use the development compose file to run the full stack with hot reload:
+
+```bash
+cd src
+docker compose up -d
+```
+
+This will start the backend and frontend, proxied through Nginx at `http://localhost:8080`. Also, a Mailpit instance at `http://localhost:8081` can be used for monitoring outgoing mail.
+
+### Backend Development
+
+The backend is a FastAPI application using SQLite and runs on Python 3.12.
+
+**Dockerfile**: `src/backend/Containerfile` - Production build
+
+**Development**:
+
+```bash
+cd src/backend
+pip install -r requirements.txt
+uvicorn app.main:app --reload
+```
+
+Changes to `app/` are automatically detected when running with `--reload`.
+
+### Frontend Development
+
+The frontend is a React + TypeScript application using Vite.
+
+**Dockerfile**:
+
+- `src/frontend/Containerfile`: Multi-target build with `dev` and `prod` stages
+
+Use the `dev` target for hot reload and the `prod` target for the static production image.
+
+**Development**:
+
+```bash
+cd src/frontend
+npm install
+npm run dev
+```
+
+Open `http://localhost:5173` (or the address shown in the terminal).
+
+## Contributing
+
+Contributions are welcome! Please follow these guidelines:
+
+1. **Choose an existing issue** or create one first to discuss your changes
+2. **Fork the repository** and create a feature branch
+3. **Test your changes** in the development environment using `compose.yml`
+4. **Submit a pull request** linking to the related issue