mybuddy/docs/contributing/development-environment.md

# Development environment

[![Gitpod ready-to-code](https://img.shields.io/badge/Gitpod-ready--to--code-blue?logo=gitpod)](https://gitpod.io/#https://github.com/babybuddy/babybuddy)

Click the Gitpod badge to open a new development environment in Gitpod or use the
information and steps below to set up a local development environment for Baby Buddy.

## Requirements

- Python 3.8+, pip, pipenv
- NodeJS 18.x and NPM 8.x (NVM recommended)
- Gulp
- Possibly `libpq-dev`
  - This is necessary if `psycopg2` can't find an appropriate prebuilt binary.

## Installation

1. Install pipenv per [Installing pipenv](https://pipenv.pypa.io/en/latest/installation/)

1. Install required Python packages, including dev packages

    ```shell
    pipenv install --three --dev
    ```
   
    If this fails, install `libpq-dev` (e.g. `sudo apt install libpq-dev`) and try again.
    
1. Installed Node 18.x (if necessary)

    ```shell
    nvm install 18
    ```

1. Activate Node 18.x

    ```shell
    nvm use
    ```

1. Install Gulp CLI

    ```shell
    npm install -g gulp-cli
    ```

1. Install required Node packages

    ```shell
    npm install
    ```

1. Set, at least, the `DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE` environment variable

    ```shell
    export DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE=babybuddy.settings.development
    ```
    
    This process will differ based on the host OS. The above example is for
    Linux-based systems. See [Configuration](../configuration/intro.md) for other
    settings and methods for defining them.

1. Migrate the database

    ```shell
    gulp migrate
    ```

1. Build assets and run the server

    ```shell
    gulp
    ```

    This command will also watch for file system changes to rebuild assets and
    restart the server as needed.

Open [http://127.0.0.1:8000](http://127.0.0.1:8000) and log in with the default
username and password (`admin`/`admin`).