updates readme to include containerized docs for frontend

Author: lmcdonough

README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Refactor Coaching & Mentoring Platform
-### Frontend (currently web browser-only)
+
+## Frontend (currently web browser-only)
 
 ![377960688-0b5292b0-6ec7-4774-984e-8e99e503d26c](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5dcdee09-802e-4b25-aa58-757d607ce7bc)
 A preview of the main coaching session page (rapidly evolving)
@@ -43,3 +44,103 @@ npm run dev
 
 Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) with your browser to log in to the platform.
 
+---
+
+## Managing the Project with Docker & GitHub Actions (CI/CD)
+
+This project builds and pushes a multi-arch Docker image to [GHCR](https://ghcr.io/) automatically on pushes to branches with open pull requests.
+
+**Key Steps:**
+
+1. **Develop Your Changes:**
+   - Work on your feature or fix in your branch.
+
+2. **Open a Pull Request:**
+   - When you open a PR, GitHub Actions triggers the build workflow.
+
+3. **Automated Build & Push:**
+   - The workflow builds a multi-arch Docker image and pushes it to GHCR.
+   - Verify the build status in GitHub Actions.
+
+4. **Local Testing (Optional):**
+   - For local Docker testing, note that the Docker Compose file and environment variables are maintained in the backend repository. Make sure you have access to that repo for configuration details.
+
+---
+
+## Manual Docker Image Management
+
+### If you plan on working with the Docker Image Locally as well the following section addresses acts as a quickstart guide for managing the Docker images manually
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- Before running any Docker commands, ensure you are logged into GHCR using your GitHub personal access token (PAT):
+
+```bash
+docker login ghcr.io -u <your_github_username> -p <your_PAT>
+```
+
+- Ensure you have Containerd installed and running
+- Ensure you have Docker Buildx installed and configured
+- Ensure you are using the builder instance you create using steps 1-4 below
+- Ensure you have Docker installed and running
+**Image Naming Convention:**  
+The Docker images follow the naming convention:  
+`ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe/<branch>:latest`  
+
+Where:
+
+- `refactor-group` is your GitHub organization.
+- `refactor-platform-fe` is the repository name.  
+- `<branch>` is the name of the branch, with underscores converted to dashes.
+- `latest` is the tag.
+
+**Useful Commands:**
+
+```bash
+# Docker Buildx: Enhanced Image Management
+
+# 1. Inspect Docker Buildx
+docker buildx version # Verify Docker Buildx is installed
+
+# 2. Create a new builder instance (if needed)
+docker buildx create --name mybuilder --driver docker-container # Creates a builder instance named 'mybuilder' using the docker-container driver
+
+# 3. Use the builder
+docker buildx use mybuilder # Sets 'mybuilder' as the current builder
+
+# 4. Inspect the builder
+docker buildx inspect --bootstrap # Displays details and ensures the builder is running
+
+# 5. Login to GHCR
+docker login ghcr.io -u <your_github_username> -p <your_PAT> # Authenticates with GitHub Container Registry using your username and PAT
+
+# 6. Build the image for multiple architectures and push to registry
+docker buildx build --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64 -t ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch> --push . # Builds for specified architectures and pushes to GHCR
+
+# 7. Build the image for multiple architectures and load to local docker daemon
+docker buildx build --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64 -t ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch> --load . # Builds for specified architectures and loads to local docker daemon
+
+# 8. Tag the image
+docker tag ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch> ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch>:latest # Creates an additional tag 'latest' for the image
+
+# 9. Push the image
+docker push ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch>:latest # Uploads the image to the container registry
+
+# 10. Pull the image
+docker pull ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch>:latest # Downloads the image from the container registry
+
+# 11. Run the image
+docker run -p 3000:3000 ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch>:latest # Starts a container from the image, mapping port 3000
+
+# 12. Inspect the image
+docker inspect ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch>:latest # Shows detailed information about the image
+
+# 13. Remove the image
+docker rmi ghcr.io/refactor-group/refactor-platform-fe:<branch>:latest # Deletes the image from the local machine
+```
+
+### Important Notes
+
+- Always use the `latest` tag for the most recent version (it defaults to `latest`)
+- Ensure your branch is up to date with the main branch before opening a PR
+- For backend-specific configuration (Docker Compose & env vars), refer to the backend repository documentation