Restart Dev Containers Skill

Purpose: Restart Docker DEVELOPMENT containers the RIGHT way - this is the ONLY correct procedure.

CRITICAL: This skill is for DEVELOPMENT containers only. For TEST containers, use restart-test-containers skill.

When to Use:

• After code changes that need container rebuild
• When dev containers are unhealthy
• When "Element not found" errors appear in dev testing (usually means compilation errors)

When NOT to Use:

• For test containers - use restart-test-containers instead
• For running E2E tests - use test-environment skill instead

CONTAINER ISOLATION

CRITICAL: Dev and test containers are isolated using different project names:

• Dev containers: -p witchcityrope-dev
• Test containers: -p witchcityrope-test

This prevents operations on one environment from affecting the other.

SINGLE SOURCE OF TRUTH

This skill is the ONLY place where dev container restart procedure is documented.

If you find container restart instructions elsewhere:

1. They are outdated or wrong
2. Report to librarian for cleanup
3. Use THIS skill instead

DO NOT duplicate this procedure in:

• Agent definitions
• Lessons learned (reference this skill instead)
• Process documentation (reference this skill instead)

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The Correct Process

DON'T Do This:

# WRONG - Missing dev overlay
docker-compose up -d

# WRONG - Missing project name (will interfere with test containers)
docker-compose -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.dev.yml up -d

# WRONG - Doesn't check compilation
./dev.sh
# ... immediately runs tests

DO This:

Use this skill - it handles everything correctly including project isolation.

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How to Use This Skill

Executable Script: execute.sh

# From project root
bash .claude/skills/restart-dev-containers/execute.sh

# Skip confirmation prompt (for automation)
SKIP_CONFIRMATION=true bash .claude/skills/restart-dev-containers/execute.sh

What the script does:

1. Shows pre-flight information (purpose, when/when NOT to use)
2. Requires confirmation before proceeding (skippable with env var)
3. Validates prerequisites (Docker running, project root, dev overlay exists)
4. Stops existing dev containers (using -p witchcityrope-dev)
5. Starts containers with dev overlay (docker-compose.yml + docker-compose.dev.yml)
6. Checks for compilation errors in Web and API containers
7. Verifies health endpoints (Web, API, Database)
8. Reports status summary

Script includes safety checks - it will not run blindly without showing you what it's about to do.

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Quick Reference Commands

Using the Skill (Recommended)

# From project root - with confirmation prompt
bash .claude/skills/restart-dev-containers/execute.sh

# For automation - skip confirmation
SKIP_CONFIRMATION=true bash .claude/skills/restart-dev-containers/execute.sh

Manual Steps (If execute.sh unavailable)

# CRITICAL: Always use -p witchcityrope-dev to avoid affecting test containers!

# Stop containers
docker-compose -p witchcityrope-dev -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.dev.yml down

# Start with dev overlay
docker-compose -p witchcityrope-dev -f docker-compose.yml -f docker-compose.dev.yml up -d --build

# Wait and check health
sleep 15
curl http://localhost:5173
curl http://localhost:5655/health
curl http://localhost:5655/api/health/detailed

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Common Issues & Solutions

Issue: Containers start but tests fail

Cause: Compilation errors in container

Solution: Skill automatically checks compilation logs

Manual check:

docker logs witchcity-web --tail 50 | grep -i error
docker logs witchcity-api --tail 50 | grep -i error

Issue: Port already in use

Cause: Old containers still running or other process using ports

Solution:

# Kill all witchcity containers
docker ps -a | grep witchcity | awk '{print $1}' | xargs docker rm -f

# Check what's using port 5173
lsof -i :5173

Issue: Health checks fail after compilation succeeds

Cause: Services need more time to initialize

Solution: Wait longer (skill waits 25 seconds total)

Issue: Test containers were deleted when restarting dev

Cause: Missing -p witchcityrope-dev flag

Solution: Always use this skill or ensure the project flag is included

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Integration with Agents

react-developer / backend-developer

After code changes:

I'll restart dev containers to apply my changes.

Skill is invoked automatically

Result: Code changes applied, compilation verified

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Output Format

When run via Claude Code, skill returns:

{
  "skill": "restart-dev-containers",
  "status": "success",
  "timestamp": "2025-12-01T15:30:00Z",
  "containers": {
    "running": 4,
    "expected": 4,
    "healthy": true
  },
  "compilation": {
    "web": "clean",
    "api": "clean"
  },
  "healthChecks": {
    "web": "healthy",
    "api": "healthy",
    "database": "healthy"
  },
  "readyForTesting": true,
  "message": "Environment ready for development and testing"
}

On failure:

{
  "skill": "restart-dev-containers",
  "status": "failure",
  "error": "Compilation errors in web container",
  "details": "TypeError: Cannot read property 'foo' of undefined at line 42",
  "action": "Fix source code and restart again"
}

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Related Skills

• restart-test-containers: For restarting TEST containers (uses -p witchcityrope-test)
• test-environment: For running E2E tests (calls restart-test-containers internally)

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Maintenance

This skill is the single source of truth for DEV container restart.

To update the restart procedure:

1. Update THIS file only
2. Test the new procedure
3. DO NOT update process docs, lessons learned, or agent definitions
4. They should reference this skill, not duplicate it

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Version History

• 2025-12-02: Removed seed data check
  • Was failing silently due to wrong database password
  • Unnecessary since API auto-seeds on startup and health checks verify connectivity
• 2025-12-01: Added -p witchcityrope-dev project isolation
  • Updated to 4 containers (includes test-server from dev overlay)
  • Added reference to restart-test-containers skill
• 2025-11-04: Created as single source of truth for container restart

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Remember: This skill is executable automation. Run it, don't copy it.