diff --git a/.dockerignore b/.dockerignore
deleted file mode 100644
index bd8460ee7..000000000
--- a/.dockerignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-.git
-build
-node_modules
-npm-debug.log*
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
deleted file mode 100644
index a435497b9..000000000
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-# FROM mhart/alpine-node:13
-
-# WORKDIR /usr/src/app
-
-# COPY /package*.json ./ 
-
-# RUN npm install
-
-# COPY . .
-
-# WORKDIR /usr/src/app/client
-
-# COPY /client/package*.json ./
-
-# RUN npm install
-
-# COPY /client .
-
-# RUN npm run build
-
-# WORKDIR /usr/src/app
-
-# CMD [ "npm", "start" ]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5468e3175..059dd2cb5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,11 +6,12 @@ This is an ambitious project to create a system that will help us measure our hu
 
 ## Project Context
 
-We are currently in the initial planning phase after delivering a prototype to the organization's leadership. Our priorities are laying out a feature roadmap for beta and beyond, and recruiting a team of dedicated members to build the product. Time is of the essence, as each Hack Night is a new opportunity to garner valuable data which, in return, supports the organization and it's members. 
+We are currently in the initial planning phase after delivering a prototype to the organization's leadership. Our priorities are laying out a feature roadmap for beta and beyond, and recruiting a team of dedicated members to build the product. Time is of the essence, as each Hack Night is a new opportunity to garner valuable data which, in return, supports the organization and it's members.
 
 ## Technologies
 
 This is a Full Stack web app, built with:
+
 - [React](https://reactjs.org/docs/getting-started.html)
 - [Node](https://nodejs.org/en/) / [Express](https://expressjs.com/en/starter/installing.html)
 - [MongoDB](https://docs.mongodb.com/manual/tutorial/getting-started/)
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ This is a Full Stack web app, built with:
 
 ## How to contribute
 
-Head over to the Issues tab and see if you'd like to contribute. 
+Head over to the Issues tab and see if you'd like to contribute.
 
 If this seems like a project you'd like to dedicate your time to, reach out to the leads on Slack or at one of our weekly Hack Nights.
 
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ This section discusses some tips and best practices for working with Git.
 
 1. From the `VRMS` repository, create a Pull Request which asks `VRMS` to pull changes from your fork into the main repository.
 
-1. After the owner of the `VRMS` repository approves and merges your Pull Request, your changes will be live on the website. 
+1. After the owner of the `VRMS` repository approves and merges your Pull Request, your changes will be live on the website.
 
 ### Forking and cloning the repository with proper security
 
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ Once you have accepted the GitHub invite (via email or in your GitHub notificati
 
 1. Setup two factor authentication on your account https://github.com/hackforla/governance/issues/20
 
-These steps are manditory in order to contribute to all HackforLA projects. 
+These steps are manditory in order to contribute to all HackforLA projects.
 
 #### Step 2: Fork the repository
 
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ We prefer that you work on a branch name that relates to the issue you're workin
 
 The format should look like the scheme above where `140` is the issue number in GitHub, and the words are a brief description of the issue.
 
-No law of physics will break if you don't adhere to this scheme but laws of git will break if you add spaces in the branch name. 
+No law of physics will break if you don't adhere to this scheme but laws of git will break if you add spaces in the branch name.
 
 ### Incorporating changes from upstream
 
@@ -138,35 +139,49 @@ git fetch vrms
 git reset --hard vrms/master
 ```
 
-## Get up and running
+## Get up and running (locally)
 
 1. Have [Node](https://nodejs.org/en/download/) and NPM installed locally:
-    - Verify with `node -v` and `npm -v` respectively.
+
+   - Verify with `node -v` and `npm -v` respectively.
 
 1. Install [Yarn](https://classic.yarnpkg.com/en/docs/install/#mac-stable): an improved package manager
-    - Verify with `yarn --version`
 
-1. Verify that you have the git remote repositories configured: 
-    - Verify that the output of `git remote -v` shows your local repo as origin and the upstream vrms repo. 
+   - Verify with `yarn --version`
+
+1. Verify that you have the git remote repositories configured:
+
+   - Verify that the output of `git remote -v` shows your local repo as origin and the upstream vrms repo.
 
 1. Install the node packages needed in each directory:
-    - `cd vrms/` and run `yarn install`
-    - `cd client` and run `yarn install`
-    - `cd ../backend` and run `yarn install`
+
+   - `cd vrms/` and run `yarn install`
+   - `cd client` and run `yarn install`
+   - `cd ../backend` and run `yarn install`
 
 1. Add your required environment variables for the frontend and backend directories:
-    - `touch vrms/backend/.env`
-    - `touch vrms/client/.env`
-    - Then paste the content from the [document](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDF6UmyO-MPNrl3y_Mw0mkm_WaixlSkXzWbudCzHXDY/edit?usp=sharing). It is accessible for the project team members only.
-    - *Please note that the `ports` for the frontend and backend are set in this location*
 
-1. Take a second to review the `app.js` and `server.js` files in the `vrms/backend` folder. These two files are a  blueprint for the back end, so please familiarize yourself with it. You'll see folders for the database collection models, routes for the API, and a config file which loads the necessary environment variables. 
+   - `touch vrms/backend/.env`
+   - `touch vrms/client/.env`
+   - Then paste the content from the [document](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDF6UmyO-MPNrl3y_Mw0mkm_WaixlSkXzWbudCzHXDY/edit?usp=sharing). It is accessible for the project team members only.
+   - _Please note that the `ports` for the frontend and backend are set in this location_
+
+1. Take a second to review the `app.js` and `server.js` files in the `vrms/backend` folder. These two files are a blueprint for the back end, so please familiarize yourself with it. You'll see folders for the database collection models, routes for the API, and a config file which loads the necessary environment variables.
 
 1. Start the local development servers (frontend & backend).
-    - Navigate to the root of the application `vrms/` and run `npm run dev`
+   - Navigate to the root of the application `vrms/` and run `npm run dev`
 
 You should now have a live app. Happy hacking.
 
+## Get up and running (Docker alternative)
+
+1. [Download docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) to your machine.
+1. Start docker locally.
+1. Navigate to the root directory.
+1. Run `docker-compose build`.
+1. Run `docker-compose up`.
+1. Navigate to the port for the NGINX container listed in the docker-compose.yml file.
+
 ## Running Tests
 
 The VRMS application has a variety of tests written for the application. Review the `package.json` file in any directory
@@ -178,19 +193,25 @@ To run all of the tests run `npm run test:all` from the root folder.
 
 The application uses MongoDB and the team has a few databases for differing environments. Below are instructions on how to connect to the different databases used for development.
 
-1. Staging test database: This database is maintained by the team. Post in the #vrms-dev channel to see who has access if you have any issues. This db has data useful for developming 
-    1. Navigate to the [Get up and running](#get-up-and-running) section and find the credentials link. 
-    1. Add the mongoDB credential listed in the `DATABASE_URL` variable to your `backend/.env` file.
+1. Shared Staging Development database: This database is maintained by the team. Post in the #vrms-dev channel to see who has access if you have any issues. This db has data useful for developming
 
-1. Localhost test database: Create your own database on your laptop and connect to it. This database will be empty and you will need to add your own data. follow this [tutorial](https://zellwk.com/blog/local-mongodb/) for an in depth look on how to setup a local copy of mongodb.
-    1. Download mongoDB.
-    1. Setup a local mongoDB cluster.
-    1. Get the connection string.
-    1. Add your localhost connection string to the `DATABASE_URL` variable to your `backend/.env` file.
+   1. Navigate to the [Get up and running](#get-up-and-running) section and find the credentials link.
+   1. Add the mongoDB credential listed in the `DATABASE_URL` variable to your `backend/.env` file.
+   1. The environment variable should start with `mongodb+srv://editor:SHARED_DB_URL`.
 
-1. Test case in-memory-MongoDB: The unit tests and integration tests create and remove an in memory database on each test run. You should not need to connect to these test databases. See the `backend/README.md` for more information.
+1. Localhost Development database: This database requires that you setup MongoDB on your local machine. See the [tutorial](https://zellwk.com/blog/local-mongodb/) for an in depth look on how to do this.
 
+   1. Download mongoDB.
+   1. Setup a local mongoDB cluster.
+   1. Get the connection string.
+   1. Add your localhost connection string to the `DATABASE_URL` variable to your `backend/.env` file.
+   1. If you are running the application directly on your machine, then your environment variable should start with `mongodb://localhost:27017/YOUR_DB_NAME`.
+   1. If you are running the application using a docker container, then your environment variable should start with `mongodb://host.docker.internal:27017/YOUR_DB_NAME`.
+
+1. To create a local copy of a DB from a remote url, then use the backup script as seen in `utils/local_db_backup.sh`.
+
+1. Test case in-memory-MongoDB: The unit tests and integration tests create and remove an in memory database on each test run. You should not need to connect to these test databases. See the `backend/README.md` for more information.
 
-### Licensing *WIP*
+### Licensing _WIP_
 
-Details about the project's open source status below: 
+Details about the project's open source status below:
diff --git a/backend/.dockerignore b/backend/.dockerignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ccfdb18a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/.dockerignore
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+.git
+.dockerignore
+docker-compose*.yml
+npm-debug.log*
+Dockerfile
+node_modules
diff --git a/backend/Dockerfile b/backend/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a613c11c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+FROM node:14.11.0 AS development
+
+RUN mkdir /srv/backend && chown node:node /srv/backend
+
+WORKDIR /srv/backend
+
+USER node
+
+COPY --chown=node:node package.json yarn.lock ./
+
+RUN yarn install --silent
+
+RUN mkdir -p node_modules
+
+FROM node:14.11.0-slim AS production
+
+USER node
+
+WORKDIR /srv/backend
+
+COPY --from=development --chown=root:root /srv/backend/node_modules ./node_modules
+
+COPY . .
diff --git a/backend/app.js b/backend/app.js
index fea4dd01e..a71513857 100644
--- a/backend/app.js
+++ b/backend/app.js
@@ -57,11 +57,7 @@ app.use("/api/projects", projectsRouter);
 app.use("/api/recurringevents", recurringEventsRouter);
 app.use("/api/projectteammembers", projectTeamMembersRouter);
 app.use("/api/slack", slackRouter);
-app.use("/api/auth", authRouter);
-const CLIENT_BUILD_PATH = path.join(__dirname, "../client/build");
-
-// Serve static files from the React frontend app
-app.use(express.static(path.join(CLIENT_BUILD_PATH)));
+app.use('/api/auth', authRouter);
 
 // 404 for all non-defined endpoints.
 app.get("*", (req, res) => {
diff --git a/client/.dockerignore b/client/.dockerignore
index 5171c5408..ccfdb18a1 100644
--- a/client/.dockerignore
+++ b/client/.dockerignore
@@ -1,2 +1,6 @@
+.git
+.dockerignore
+docker-compose*.yml
+npm-debug.log*
+Dockerfile
 node_modules
-npm-debug.log
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/client/Dockerfile b/client/Dockerfile
index 558b621f4..4f1d6ddd1 100644
--- a/client/Dockerfile
+++ b/client/Dockerfile
@@ -1,10 +1,27 @@
-# FROM mhart/alpine-node:13
+FROM node:14.11.0 AS development
 
-# WORKDIR /usr/src/app/
+RUN mkdir /srv/client && chown node:node /srv/client
 
-# COPY package*.json ./
-# RUN npm ci -qy
+WORKDIR /srv/client
+
+USER node
+
+COPY --chown=node:node package.json yarn.lock ./
+
+RUN yarn install --silent
+
+RUN mkdir -p node_modules
+
+# # TODO: Fix production application. We are currently serving static frontend assets from the backend. 
+# FROM node:14.11.0-slim AS production
+
+# USER node
+
+# WORKDIR /srv/client
+
+# COPY --from=development --chown=root:root /srv/backend/.env /srv/backend 
+# COPY --from=development --chown=root:root /srv/client/.env /srv/backend 
 
 # COPY . .
 
-# CMD ["npm", "start"]
\ No newline at end of file
+# CMD ["node", "index.js"]
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index b92207eb8..b12581169 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -1,9 +1,69 @@
-
-version: '3'
+version: "3.8"
 
 services:
+  backend:
+    build:
+      context: ./backend
+      target: development
+    command: yarn run dev
+    volumes:
+      - ./backend:/srv/backend
+      - backend_node_modules:/srv/backend/node_modules
+    expose:
+      - "4000"
+      - "27017"
+    ports:
+      - "4000:4000"
+      - "27017:27017"
+    restart: on-failure
+    networks:
+      - gateway
+
+  client:
+    build:
+      context: ./client
+      target: development
+    command: yarn run start
+    volumes:
+      - ./client:/srv/client
+      - client_node_modules:/srv/client/node_modules
+    expose:
+      - "3000"
+      - "4000"
+    ports:
+      - "3000:3000"
+    stdin_open: true
+    restart: on-failure
+    networks:
+      - gateway
+
+  nginx:
+    restart: always
+    build:
+      dockerfile: Dockerfile.nginx
+      context: ./nginx
+    ports:
+      - "5000:80"
+    networks:
+      - gateway
+    depends_on:
+      - client
+      - backend
+
   mailhog:
-    image: mailhog/mailhog  
-    ports: 
+    image: mailhog/mailhog
+    ports:
       - 1025:1025 # smtp server
       - 8025:8025 # web ui
+    depends_on:
+      - client
+      - backend
+    networks:
+      - gateway
+
+networks:
+  gateway: {}
+
+volumes:
+  client_node_modules:
+  backend_node_modules:
diff --git a/nginx/.dockerignore b/nginx/.dockerignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7541db332
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nginx/.dockerignore
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+.git
+.dockerignore
+docker-compose*.yml
+npm-debug.log*
+Dockerfile.*
+node_modules
diff --git a/nginx/Dockerfile.nginx b/nginx/Dockerfile.nginx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de139f4ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nginx/Dockerfile.nginx
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+FROM nginx
+COPY ./default.conf /etc/nginx/conf.d/default.conf
diff --git a/nginx/default.conf b/nginx/default.conf
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..874c4b489
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nginx/default.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+upstream client {
+    server client:3000;
+}
+
+upstream backend {
+    server backend:4000;
+}
+
+server {
+    listen 80;
+
+    location /api {
+        proxy_pass http://backend;
+    }
+
+    location / {
+        proxy_pass http://client;
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
+        proxy_redirect off;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Host $server_name;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/utils/local_db_backup.sh b/utils/local_db_backup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..702be3163
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/local_db_backup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+<<'###BLOCK-COMMENT'
+Backs up and restores MongoDB instance.
+
+Arguments:
+    -u URI of the source MongoDB instance
+    -d Database name of the source MongoDB instance
+    -h Host of MongoDB instance to restore backup
+    -p Port of MongoDB instance to restore backup
+    -n Name of new MongoDB database
+
+Example:
+    sh local_db_backup.sh -u YOUR_MONGO_DB_URL_SANS_ARGS -d SOURCE_DB_NAME -h localhost -p 27017 -n DESTINATION_DB_NAME
+
+###BLOCK-COMMENT
+
+while getopts u:d:h:p:n: flag
+
+do
+    case "${flag}" in
+        u) mongo_src_uri=${OPTARG};;
+        d) mongo_src_db_name=${OPTARG};;
+        h) mongo_dest_host=${OPTARG};;
+        p) mongo_dest_port=${OPTARG};;
+        n) mongo_dest_name=${OPTARG};;
+    esac
+done
+
+if pgrep mongo > /dev/null
+then
+    echo "MongoDB is already Running"
+else
+    echo "Starting mongod daemon"
+    mongod
+fi
+
+echo "Backing up mongodb from uri=$mongo_src_uri"
+mkdir backup
+mongodump --uri=$mongo_src_uri --out=backup
+
+echo "Restoring mongodb to host=$mongo_dest_host and port=$mongo_dest_port with name=$mongo_dest_name"
+# need to remove hard coded value for incoming db_name "vrms_test"
+mongorestore --host $mongo_dest_host --port $mongo_dest_port --db $mongo_dest_name ./backup/$mongo_src_db_name
+
+echo "Cleaning up"
+rm -rf backup
\ No newline at end of file