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README.md

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+## Docker Setup
+
+Run the full stack with:
+
+```bash
+docker compose up --build
+```
+
+Services:
+
+- Frontend: `http://localhost:5173`
+- Backend: `http://localhost:4000`
+- MongoDB: `mongodb://localhost:27017/chatapp`
+
+The Compose file starts all required services together:
+
+- `frontend` as a Vite container
+- `backend` as a Node/Express container
+- `mongo` with a persistent `mongo-data` volume
+
+Stop everything with:
+
+```bash
+docker compose down
+```
+
+Remove containers and database volume with:
+
+```bash
+docker compose down -v
+```
+
+## Local Development Without Docker
+
+1. Copy the backend environment file:
+
+   ```bash
+   cp Backend/.env.example Backend/.env
+   ```
+
+2. Start MongoDB locally or with Docker.
+
+3. Start the backend:
+
+   ```bash
+   cd Backend && npm run dev
+   ```
+
+The backend tries MongoDB at `mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/chatapp` first and falls back to `Backend/data/db.json` only if MongoDB is unavailable. Use `DATA_STORE=mongo` to fail fast on MongoDB errors, or `DATA_STORE=json` to force the JSON store.