Docker + PG + Redis

What is this?

A production-grade dev stack on your desk

Docker containers are isolated, lightweight environments that package an application and all its dependencies together. Instead of installing PostgreSQL, Redis, and other services directly onto your macOS system -- where they can conflict with each other and clutter your machine -- Docker runs each service in its own clean container. You get a consistent, reproducible environment that you can start with a single command and tear down just as easily.

PostgreSQL is one of the most powerful open-source relational databases in the world, trusted by companies of all sizes for everything from simple data storage to complex analytical queries. Redis is an in-memory data store used for caching, message queues, and real-time data processing. Together, they form the backbone of most modern web applications and AI-powered services.

This stack gives you a production-like environment running entirely on your Mac. That means you can develop, test, and iterate on your applications locally with the exact same database and caching infrastructure you would use in production. No more "it works on my machine" surprises when you deploy. Everything is defined in a Docker Compose file, so your entire stack is version-controlled and reproducible.

For AI applications specifically, this stack is essential. Your AI models need somewhere to store embeddings, vector data, conversation history, and user preferences. PostgreSQL handles structured data beautifully, while Redis provides the fast caching layer that keeps your AI applications responsive. MacAI configures everything with optimised settings for Apple Silicon, so you get maximum performance from your hardware.

What you get

Everything included

• Docker Desktop installed and configured
• PostgreSQL container with optimised settings
• Redis container for caching and queues
• Docker Compose file for one-command startup
• Persistent volume mounts for data safety
• Health check configurations
• pgAdmin web interface for database management
• Basic security hardening