Team-Based WordPress Deployment with Docker, GitHub & Copilot

 🎯 Objective
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Use Docker Compose to install WordPress and MySQL

Customize a WordPress template collaboratively

Use GitHub for version control and teamwork

Use Copilot in VS Code to scaffold and refine Docker and WordPress config files

⏱️ Duration
3 hours (can be split into two sessions)

👥 Target Audience
Beginners in DevOps or web development

Students, educators, outreach teams

Creators interested in collaborative deployment

📦 Materials Needed
Laptops with Docker, Git, and VS Code installed

GitHub accounts (for Copilot and repo access)

Sample WordPress theme (free or starter)

Internet access

🗂️ Module Breakdown
1️⃣ Introduction to Docker + GitHub + Copilot (20 min)
Goal: Understand the tools and their synergy Topics:

Docker: containerization basics

GitHub: version control and collaboration

Copilot: AI-assisted coding in VS Code

Classroom Cue: “Three tools, one powerful workflow!”

2️⃣ Project Setup and GitHub Integration (30 min)
Goal: Create a shared repo and local environment Steps:

Create GitHub repo: wordpress-docker-team

Clone repo locally

Create project folder and initialize with git init

Open in VS Code and activate Copilot

Visual Tag: [GitHub + VS Code interface]

3️⃣ Writing Docker Compose with Copilot (30 min)
Goal: Scaffold services using AI assistance Steps:

Create docker-compose.yml

Use comments like # Set up WordPress and MySQL containers to prompt Copilot

Review and refine suggestions collaboratively

Commit and push to GitHub

Classroom Cue: “Let Copilot write, you refine!”

4️⃣ Launching and Accessing WordPress (20 min)
Goal: Deploy and verify setup Steps:

Run docker-compose up -d

Access WordPress at http://localhost:8080

Complete setup wizard

Choose and activate a theme

Visual Tag: [Browser + WordPress dashboard]

5️⃣ Collaborative Customization (40 min)
Goal: Modify theme and content as a team Steps:

Assign roles: designer, content editor, devops

Use Git branches for theme edits (e.g., feature/homepage)

Add pages, customize layout

Merge changes via pull requests

Classroom Cue: “Design together, commit together!”

6️⃣ Managing Containers and Code Review (20 min)
Goal: Learn Docker commands and GitHub workflows Steps:

docker ps, docker-compose down

Use GitHub Issues and Discussions

Review Copilot-generated code for clarity and security

Visual Tag: [GitHub PR + Docker terminal]

7️⃣ Wrap-Up and Showcase (20 min)
Goal: Reflect and share Steps:

Demo team projects

Discuss Copilot’s role in teamwork

Share ideas for cloud deployment and plugin integration

🧠 Optional Extensions
Homework: Fork and customize a WordPress theme collaboratively

Advanced Module: Add NGINX + SSL + cloud deployment

Outreach Adaptation: Use bilingual content and regional themes