[backend] stabilise codebase

README.md

@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ This repository hosts a proof-of-concept "points of interest" application compos
 - npm 10+
 - PHP 8.2+
 - Composer 2+
-- A running database supported by Doctrine (SQLite is used by default for local development)
+- Docker (to run the bundled Postgres + PostGIS service)
+- PostgreSQL 16 with the PostGIS extension (a ready-to-use container is provided via Docker Compose)
 
 ## Running the API server
 
@@ -21,9 +22,13 @@ This repository hosts a proof-of-concept "points of interest" application compos
 cd server
 composer install
 
-# Create the database schema (SQLite by default)
+# Boot the Postgres + PostGIS container
+docker compose up -d postgres
+
+# Prepare the database schema
 php bin/console doctrine:database:create --if-not-exists
 php bin/console doctrine:migrations:migrate --no-interaction
+php bin/console doctrine:fixtures:load
 
 # Start the Symfony development server
 symfony server:start
@@ -49,4 +54,5 @@ The client starts on `http://localhost:5173`. Set the `VITE_API_BASE`, `VITE_MER
 ## Additional notes
 
 - The API uses Mercure for real-time updates. Ensure a Mercure hub is running and reachable by the client when testing streaming features.
+- The default `DATABASE_URL` now targets the bundled PostgreSQL/PostGIS container. Update it if you run the database elsewhere, and rerun migrations after switching databases.
 - Review the individual `README.md` files inside `client/` and `server/` for more detailed configuration guidance.