I've just moved on from docker compose. Instead I have a K8s like yaml file and use podman kube play. The learning curve is pretty small in my opinion and at least it is a little closer to production.

Great if you’re you, but try getting AverageSWE a local kube setup and see how quickly they ramp up on it

In my ideal world everyone would use kubernetes, it is the hammer and everything is a nail, but we must recognize that it is difficult for a lot of people to pick up

fair. however, i do genuinely find docker compose yml and dev-experience to be much more pleasant and intuitive.

if you ever wanna try it again - use kappal. you will get a full k8s but with the UX of docker compose.