Local Development Guide ๐ป โ
This guide covers everything you need to know for developing Shelf.nu locally after completing the Supabase Setup.
Prerequisites โ โ
- โ Node.js (v20 or higher)
- โ npm or yarn
- โ Git
- โ Supabase project configured (Setup Guide)
- โ
.envfile with Supabase credentials
Development Setup ๐ โ
1. Clone & Install Dependencies โ
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/Shelf-nu/shelf.nu.git
cd shelf.nu
# Install dependencies
npm install2. Setup Local SSL (Optional but Recommended) ๐ โ
Shelf is configured to use HTTPS locally for a better development experience. You can set this up using mkcert:
Install mkcert โ
# macOS
brew install mkcert
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install libnss3-tools
wget -O mkcert https://github.com/FiloSottile/mkcert/releases/download/v1.4.4/mkcert-v1.4.4-linux-amd64
chmod +x mkcert
sudo mv mkcert /usr/local/bin/
# Windows (using Chocolatey)
choco install mkcertGenerate SSL Certificates โ
# Install local CA
mkcert -install
# Create certificate directory
mkdir .cert
# Generate certificates for localhost
mkcert -key-file .cert/key.pem -cert-file .cert/cert.pem localhost 127.0.0.1 ::1Alternative: Disable SSL โ
If you prefer to run without SSL, edit vite.config.ts and remove these lines:
// Remove or comment out these lines in vite.config.ts
https: {
key: "./.cert/key.pem",
cert: "./.cert/cert.pem",
},3. Initialize Database โ
This command sets up your database schema and runs initial migrations:
npm run setup4. Start Development Server โ
npm run devWith SSL enabled: Your app will be available at: https://localhost:3000 ๐
Without SSL: Your app will be available at: http://localhost:3000 ๐
Technology Stack ๐ ๏ธ โ
Understanding Shelf's tech stack will help you develop effectively:
Core Framework โ
- Remix - Full-stack web framework
- React - UI library
- TypeScript - Type safety
Database & Backend โ
- Supabase - Database and authentication
- Prisma - Database ORM
- PostgreSQL - Database
Styling & UI โ
- Tailwind CSS - Utility-first CSS
- Custom Components - Built for asset management
Development Tools โ
Available Scripts ๐ โ
Development โ
npm run dev # Start development server
npm run build # Build for production
npm run start # Start production server
npm run typecheck # Run TypeScript checksDatabase โ
npm run setup # Initial database setup
npm run db:prepare-migration # Create new migration
npm run db:deploy-migration # Apply migrations
npm run db:migrate # Run migrations in dev
npm run db:reset # Reset database (careful!)
npm run db:seed # Seed database with sample dataCode Quality โ
npm run lint # Run ESLint
npm run format # Format code with Prettier
npm run validate # Run all checks (lint, typecheck, format)Testing โ
npm run test # Run unit tests
npm run test:e2e # Run end-to-end tests
npm run test:e2e:dev # Run E2E tests in dev mode
npm run test:e2e:install # Install Playwright browsersDevelopment Workflow ๐ โ
Making Database Changes โ
Update Prisma Schema
bash# Edit app/database/schema.prismaCreate Migration
bashnpm run db:prepare-migrationApply Migration
bashnpm run db:deploy-migration
Adding New Features โ
Create your feature files in appropriate directories:
app/routes/- New pages/routesapp/components/- Reusable componentsapp/utils/- Utility functionsapp/modules/- Business logic modules
Follow the established patterns:
- Use TypeScript for type safety
- Follow Remix conventions for data loading
- Use Tailwind for styling
- Add tests for new functionality
Test your changes:
bashnpm run validate # Check code quality npm run test # Run tests
Project Structure ๐ โ
shelf.nu/
โโโ app/
โ โโโ components/ # Reusable UI components
โ โโโ database/ # Prisma schema and migrations
โ โโโ modules/ # Business logic modules
โ โโโ routes/ # Remix routes (pages)
โ โโโ styles/ # CSS and styling
โ โโโ utils/ # Utility functions
โ โโโ root.tsx # App root component
โโโ docs/ # Documentation
โโโ public/ # Static assets
โโโ tests/ # Test files
โโโ .env.example # Environment variables template
โโโ package.json # Dependencies and scriptsKey Directories โ
app/routes/ - Each file becomes a route in your app:
_index.tsxโ/assets._index.tsxโ/assetsassets.new.tsxโ/assets/new
app/components/ - Reusable React components:
- Follow atomic design principles
- Include TypeScript props interfaces
- Use Tailwind for styling
app/modules/ - Business logic organized by domain:
auth/- Authentication logicasset/- Asset managementbooking/- Booking system
Environment Configuration ๐ง โ
Your .env file should include all necessary variables. Here are the development-specific ones:
# Development server (adjust based on SSL setup)
SERVER_URL="https://localhost:3000" # With SSL
# SERVER_URL="http://localhost:3000" # Without SSL
# Database (from Supabase)
DATABASE_URL="your-supabase-connection-string"
DIRECT_URL="your-supabase-direct-connection"
# Disable premium features for local development
ENABLE_PREMIUM_FEATURES="false"
# Session security
SESSION_SECRET="your-local-session-secret"Database Development ๐๏ธ โ
Working with Prisma โ
View your data:
npx prisma studioThis opens a web interface to browse your database.
Reset database (destructive!):
npm run db:resetSeed with sample data:
npm run db:seedCreating Migrations โ
When you modify schema.prisma:
Prepare migration:
bashnpm run db:prepare-migrationReview the generated SQL in
app/database/migrations/Apply migration:
bashnpm run db:deploy-migration
Testing ๐งช โ
Unit Testing with Vitest โ
npm run test # Run all unit tests
npm run test:watch # Run tests in watch modeCreate test files alongside your components:
components/
โโโ Button.tsx
โโโ Button.test.tsxEnd-to-End Testing with Playwright โ
npm run test:e2e:install # Install browsers (first time)
npm run test:e2e:dev # Run tests in developmentE2E tests are in the tests/e2e/ directory.
Debugging ๐ โ
Common Issues โ
Port already in use:
# Kill process on port 3000
lsof -ti:3000 | xargs kill -9SSL Certificate errors:
- Make sure you ran
mkcert -installto install the local CA - Regenerate certificates:
mkcert -key-file .cert/key.pem -cert-file .cert/cert.pem localhost - Or disable SSL by removing the
httpssection fromvite.config.ts
Database connection errors:
- Check your
.envdatabase URLs - Verify Supabase project is running
- Ensure you have the correct password
Build errors:
# Clear node modules and reinstall
rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json
npm installDevelopment Tools โ
Database inspection:
npx prisma studio # Visual database browserType checking:
npm run typecheck # Check for TypeScript errorsCode formatting:
npm run format # Auto-format all codeHot Reloading ๐ฅ โ
The development server includes hot reloading:
- React components - Changes update instantly
- Routes - New routes appear automatically
- Styles - CSS changes apply immediately
- Server code - Remix restarts the server
VS Code Setup ๐ก โ
Recommended extensions:
- Prisma - Syntax highlighting for
.prismafiles - Tailwind CSS IntelliSense - Auto-complete for CSS classes
- TypeScript and JavaScript - Enhanced TS support
- Prettier - Code formatting
- ESLint - Code linting
Workspace Settings โ
Create .vscode/settings.json:
{
"editor.formatOnSave": true,
"editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
"editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
"source.fixAll.eslint": true
}
}Performance Tips ๐ โ
Development Performance โ
- Use TypeScript strict mode for better error catching
- Run tests frequently to catch issues early
- Use Prisma Studio for database inspection instead of raw SQL
- Leverage Remix's built-in optimizations (no need for extra bundlers)
Database Performance โ
- Use database indexes for frequently queried fields
- Limit data in development - Use
.take()to limit results - Use Prisma's
includeandselectto fetch only needed data
Next Steps ๐ฏ โ
Once you're comfortable with local development:
- Explore the codebase - Look at existing routes and components
- Read the other docs - Check out hooks, error handling, etc.
- Join the community - Discord for questions
- Contribute - See CONTRIBUTING.md
- Deploy - Check out Deployment Guide when ready
Getting Help ๐ฌ โ
- ๐ฌ Discord Community - Chat with other developers
- ๐ Documentation - Browse all guides
- ๐ GitHub Issues - Report bugs or request features
- ๐ฆ Twitter - Follow for updates
Happy coding! ๐
