Updating readme and adding docker scripts

README.md

@@ -59,7 +59,28 @@ This app uses [NPM](https://www.npmjs.com/) to manage its dependences and packag
 
 3. Create an `.env` file in `server/config/` *and* in `client/`. Copy everything from the respective `.env.example` files in both directories into these new files. **Do not delete the example!**
 
-4. *For now*, as we do not yet have a way to connect to local instances of Mongo, you will have to create a database on [MongoDB Atlas](https://cloud.mongodb.com/) for use while developing this app. Make sure you include the connection string in your newly-created `.env` file, in the `server` directory. The variable name is `DB_STRING`.
+4. We have a local MongoDB instance set up through Docker.
+   [Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/) will need to be installed to run the database.
+   You can manage it using the following commands:
+   ```
+   To start the local MongoDB instance, run:
+
+   npm run db:up
+
+   To stop the local MongoDB instance, run:
+
+   npm run db:stop
+   ```
+
+   With the local MongoDB instance in place, you can now connect directly without the need for MongoDB Atlas during development.
+
+   To connect to the local MongoDB instance, follow these steps:
+
+   1. Open MongoDB Compass.
+   2. In the MongoDB Compass connection dialog, locate the "Connection String" field.
+   3. In your .env file, located in the server directory, copy the DB_STRING into the "Connection String" field
+   3. Click "Connect" to establish a connection to your local MongoDB instance.
+
 
 5. To run the app locally, navigate to the `client` directory and run:
    ```
@@ -68,6 +89,7 @@ This app uses [NPM](https://www.npmjs.com/) to manage its dependences and packag
 
    Then navigate to the `server` directory and run:
    ```
+   npm run db:up
    npm run serve
    ```
 

server/package.json

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
   "main": "index.js",
   "scripts": {
     "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1",
-    "serve": "nodemon index.js"
+    "serve": "nodemon index.js",
+    "db:up": "docker compose up -d mongo",
+    "db:stop": "docker compose stop mongo"
   },
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",