# System Patterns

This file documents the architectural and design patterns used in the project.
2025-03-25 14:13:00 - Updated with development environment patterns

## Development Environment Patterns

### Container Architecture
* **Docker Composition**
  * WordPress (PHP-FPM)
  * Nginx web server
  * MariaDB database
  * phpMyAdmin utility
  * Shared volumes for persistence
  * Network isolation
  * Environment-based configuration

### Configuration Management
* **Environment Variables**
  * Database credentials
  * WordPress settings
  * Development flags
  * Debug options
  * Site URLs
* **Docker Volumes**
  * WordPress files
  * Database data
  * Configuration files
  * SSL certificates
  * Logs

### WordPress Integration
* **Core Configuration**
  * wp-config.php management
  * Environment-based settings
  * Debug mode control
  * URL configuration
  * Security settings
* **Plugin Management**
  * Controlled activation
  * Version management
  * Dependency handling
  * Update procedures
  * Compatibility checks

### Database Patterns
* **Connection Management**
  * Environment-based credentials
  * Connection pooling
  * Error handling
  * Retry mechanisms
  * Timeout configuration
* **Data Access**
  * WordPress WPDB wrapper
  * Prepared statements
  * Transaction support
  * Query optimization
  * Cache integration

### Security Patterns
* **Development Security**
  * Disabled SSL requirement
  * Debug mode enabled
  * Error display active
  * Test data isolation
  * Local-only access
* **Production Preparation**
  * SSL configuration ready
  * Error logging configured
  * Security headers prepared
  * Access controls defined
  * Data sanitization

### Testing Architecture
* **Test Environment**
  * Isolated containers
  * Test-specific configuration
  * Data fixtures
  * Mock services
  * Debug capabilities
* **Test Types**
  * Unit tests
  * Integration tests
  * E2E tests
  * Performance tests
  * Security tests

### Logging and Monitoring
* **Log Management**
  * PHP error logs
  * WordPress debug log
  * Nginx access/error logs
  * Database logs
  * Container logs
* **Monitoring**
  * Container health checks
  * Resource usage
  * Error tracking
  * Performance metrics
  * Security events

### Development Workflow
* **Local Development**
  * Container orchestration
  * Code synchronization
  * Hot reload capability
  * Debug tooling
  * Test automation
* **Version Control**
  * Feature branches
  * Pull requests
  * Code review process
  * Continuous integration
  * Automated testing

2025-03-25 14:13:00 - Added development environment patterns