DEV Community: DECK 👨‍💻

Why did we build DECK? 💡

DECK 👨‍💻 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:11:35 +0000

DECK started as a POC for us more than three years ago. We were tinkering with Electron js and discovered the possibility of deep native integration with the underlying operating system using Electron APIs and web technologies. This was an excellent deal for us, being able to create desktop applications with a rich user experience for web developers.

There have been many development environments already built and actively maintained. To name a few, Laradock, Lando & DDEV are quite mature projects we admire and actively follow.

Docker brought a boom to application containerization and then Docker Desktop, and we didn't look back since then. But with Docker comes additional complexities, which is something a web developer of any experience would avoid in the first place. The reason is quite apparent. They need to learn a new JS framework or a PHP, Node js one. It's easy to get started with Docker, but it has a steep learning curve if you want to dive deeper.

Imagine the old days of web development, download XAMPP or WAMP or MAMP, and you are done. Also, it has a GUI! Hell yeah.
Our vision is to have the same user experience. So download, run, and you're already coding your project.

However, we don't want newcomers to web development to offer a GUI, forget the underlying complexities, and not learn it. Therefore, all our underlying Docker files and docker-compose projects are open-sourced and configurable (https://github.com/deck-app). So, anybody could open up the Docker projects in a code editor and do epic shit when it is the right time for them.

Learn more about custom dev environments here

Learn more about DECK here

Download DECK today 💕

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Use your favorite code editor & shell from DECK 🔥

DECK 👨‍💻 — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 15:51:58 +0000

DECK now has an integration feature to choose your favorite editor and terminal for your projects. And it's just one step away,

Choose your editor and terminal.

Open your project.

We have received excellent suggestions from our users, and this is one of them. We are amazed by the amount of appreciation DECK is receiving across the globe. So this is the first new feature we found suitable for the April release.

We are committed to building developer-friendly applications, and more great features are coming. So let us know your feedback.

Download DECK today💕.

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LEMP and LAMP stack? 🤔

DECK 👨‍💻 — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 08:35:34 +0000

DECK marketplace provides you with LEMP and LAMP stack.

What are LEMP and LAMP?

L- Linux Operating System
E- Nginx Server
A- Apache HTTP Server
M- MySQL Database
P- PHP So LEMP and LAMP stack are both a set of open-source software developers can use to run websites and web applications.

And with DECK, it's a click of a button you can have it for your project.

Try DECK today 💕.

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Why did we replace Docker Desktop dependency from DECK? 🐳

DECK 👨‍💻 — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 17:56:15 +0000

DECK is free forever for individual developers, and we intend to keep that promise. We have started our journey with Docker and docker desktop as a dependency. But Docker has released subscription terms and conditions, a big blocker for DECK to keep the commitment of providing free access to developers.

Quote from Docker website: 😔
Docker Desktop can be used for free as part of a Docker Personal subscription for: small companies (fewer than 250 employees AND less than $10 million in annual revenue), personal use, education, and non-commercial open source projects.

So we started working on finding out an alternative for Docker Desktop on DECK V4. And we found four stable options.

Every option has its user base and good community support. But ultimately, Multipass was the best option considering its excellent cross-platform support and stability in release cycles.
Also, for DECK Windows, we have used WSL2 for the best performance.

So, now we can say that DECK is truly forever free for individuals. 🥳
We are committed to removing future blockers for DECK and server fast, smooth and straightforward development studio journey every day. 😊

Try DECK today 💕.

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DECK with svelte 🔥

DECK 👨‍💻 — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 17:28:08 +0000

Initially, DECK V3, which started as a Proof of Concept, was only dependent on Electron JS. Then we decided to move the codebase with Svelte. So here are some hurdles and achievements that can be interesting to share with you all.

Hurdles without framework 😮‍💨

Too risky for a small or one-person team
Struggle a lot to maintain code for a vast application
Struggle to communicate with a UI framework
Structure the code which can be flexible to understand for future developers

Achievements with Svelte 🤗

Outstanding performance with less code
Control over components
Flexible and structured code
Way easy for beginners to start on it
No more struggle with a UI framework compatibility
Great community support

Apart from the above points, we loved the way Svelte is built, and the intention of the framework is precisely matched with DECK. We needed a lightweight, less code, fast performance, easy to write JS framework on top of Electron JS.

We love writing svelte. If you have faced any of these hurdles, give a try to Svelte.

Get DECK today 💕.

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Why do we use tailwind?

DECK 👨‍💻 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 18:01:00 +0000

DECK used tremendous flexibility of tailwindcss.

UI/UX is the most crucial part of any software.
As a cross-platform desktop application, we wanted to give users the pleasure of having an app that blends with OS.
Writing CSS for an individual platform is not easy, and selecting a UI framework also can be risky for the future.

So ultimately, on V4, we have tailwindcss.

Easy to customize and flexible for future development.
Did an impressive job on compressing and reducing ultimate app size.
Very smooth and platform-friendly look.
No conflict with custom CSS.

Tailwindcss is an excellent utility-first CSS framework, and we love it.

Bonus
The dark mode is coming soon 🥳.

If you also love using tailwind, let us know below about DECK using tailwind. We are happy to have your feedback.
Get deck today 💙.

DECK V4 for Windows is here 🎉 💖

DECK 👨‍💻 — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 21:21:53 +0000

We are finally here with the windows version of DECK V4.
Here is all you need to know.

How and where to get DECK on your windows system?

Go to the DECK Windows Download page.
Hit the Download button and install.

Yeah, It's just one click away... 😃

Why delay on the releasing windows?

Since working on V4, we have focused on a faster and smoother experience on each OS platform. So we are happy to announce that now DECK is using WSL2 for the windows version, which can provide a speedier experience.

So if you are a windows lover and a web developer, try DECK today 💜.

Setup Redis on Laravel project 💡

DECK 👨‍💻 — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 20:27:36 +0000

DECK has separate stacks for Laravel and Redis. So let's look at how we can set it up quickly.

First, choose a stack for Laravel

You can select either Nginx-PHP or apache-PHP or Laravel stack, add details like project name, PHP version, and select project path.
Hit save, and now you are done with the Laravel project setup. 🌟

Second, choose the Redis stack

Enter a project name and hit save.

Start the Redis stack and open the Actions & Insights panel and check the Redis Host and Port, now you are ready to add environment variables in your Laravel project .env file, like REDIS_HOST, REDIS_PASSWORD, SESSION_DRIVER.🎉

You can install Redis desktop manager [GUI client] like AnotherRedisDesktopManager to check session data, queues, etc. Just use Host and post from the "Connect using external applications" section.
So the moment of truth 🥳

We will love to know your feedback about this quick setup 😊. Install DECK today 💜

How to set up Laravel with PostgreSQL? 💡

DECK 👨‍💻 — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 17:29:21 +0000

DECK has separate images for Laravel and PostgreSQL. So let's look at how we can set it up in just two clicks.

First, choose an image for Laravel

You can select either Nginx-PHP or apache-PHP or Laravel image, add details like project name, PHP version, Select PostgreSQL extensions, and select project path.
Hit save, and now you are done with the Laravel project setup.

Second, choose the PostgreSQL stack.

Enter a project name and add database details. Hit save, and now you are ready to add database environment variables in your Laravel project .env file, like DB_HOST, DB_CONNECTION, DB_PORT, DB_DATABASE, DB_USERNAME, DB_PASSWORD.

I got you. Where can you find those environment variables values? 🤔

Start the PostgreSQL stack and open the Actions & Insights panel and check the Postgres stack.🌟

We will love to know your feedback about this quick setup 😊. Install DECK today 💜

Basic features that every web developer wants 👩‍💻

DECK 👨‍💻 — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 14:12:04 +0000

DECK intends to automate the most basic features that every web developer needs daily ⚙️.

What's included in DECK V4? 🎉

- Multiple development environments in one app.
Having numerous projects running is expected, so a one-click setup will increase productivity by reducing the overhead of various dependencies to set up one project. DECK marketplace has the most important images to fulfill your project need, and the marketplace is constantly increasing; not only that, you can now create your own docker projects as a custom dev environment

- Automatic HTTPS.
With a one-click setup, you are ready to server secure and non-secure right from the app.

- Integrated logging.
No more go to find the log file in a file or in a container. DECK will show you logs for each stack directly in the app.

- A power tool.
Now you run any composer and artisan command for your PHP or Laravel apps. And we will be adding power tools to other tech stacks as well.

- Add PHP extensions any time directly from the app.

What's coming next? 🤩

Live reload for PHP, Javascript apps.
Automatic sync with a remote server using Rsync.
Share projects previews as public URLs.
Deploy projects to AWS, Google cloud & DigitalOcean.
and more ...

So let's change the way of local development 💖. Get DECK today

A new era for web development 🚀

DECK 👨‍💻 — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 12:33:54 +0000

DECK is a modern web development studio built by developers for developers. So you are no more wasting time setting up your project on a local system.
An easy and fast GUI to set up any project stack. Not only that, DECK is now no more dependent on the Docker desktop app.

From 2019 to 2022, we are getting unexpected and warm appreciation from the GitHub community and the Reddit community. And so that while continuing our journey, we are excited to announce DECK V4 🎉

For the past 1 year, we have been entirely focused on creating a more easy GUI with 5x speed. So finally, the moment of truth comes.

Welcoming all web developers to give it a shot and help us grow more 🪴.
We are committed to your support.
Download DECK now