diff --git a/Dockerfile.dev b/Dockerfile.dev
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bb5c6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Dockerfile.dev
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Development Dockerfile with hot reload for Vite React application
+FROM node:18-alpine
+
+WORKDIR /app
+
+# Copy package.json and lock file
+COPY package.json pnpm-lock.yaml ./
+
+# Install dependencies
+RUN npm install -g pnpm && \
+    pnpm install
+
+# Copy project files
+COPY . .
+
+# Expose port for Vite dev server
+EXPOSE 5173
+
+# Start development server with hot reload
+CMD ["pnpm", "run", "dev", "--", "--host", "0.0.0.0"] 
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diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..24fd8d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+version: '3.8'
+
+services:
+  battlesnake_app: 
+    build:
+      context: .
+      dockerfile: Dockerfile.dev
+    container_name: battlesnake_dev_app
+    ports:
+      - "5173:5173"
+    volumes:
+      - .:/app
+      - /app/node_modules
+    environment:
+      - NODE_ENV=development
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