♻️ Replace Mailcatcher with Mailpit for local email testing

.github/workflows/deploy-production.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+name: Deploy to Production
+
+on:
+  release:
+    types:
+      - published
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  deploy:
+    environment: production
+    # Do not deploy in the main repository, only in user projects
+    if: github.repository_owner != 'fastapi'
+    runs-on:
+      - self-hosted
+      - production
+    env:
+      DOMAIN: ${{ secrets.DOMAIN }}
+      SECRET_KEY: ${{ secrets.SECRET_KEY }}
+      FIRST_SUPERUSER: ${{ secrets.FIRST_SUPERUSER }}
+      FIRST_SUPERUSER_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.FIRST_SUPERUSER_PASSWORD }}
+      SMTP_HOST: ${{ secrets.SMTP_HOST }}
+      SMTP_USER: ${{ secrets.SMTP_USER }}
+      SMTP_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.SMTP_PASSWORD }}
+      EMAILS_FROM_EMAIL: ${{ secrets.EMAILS_FROM_EMAIL }}
+      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.POSTGRES_PASSWORD }}
+      SENTRY_DSN: ${{ secrets.SENTRY_DSN }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@3d3c42e5aac5ba805825da76410c181273ba90b1 # v7.0.1
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+      - run: docker compose -f compose.yml -f compose.deploy.yml build
+      - run: docker compose -f compose.yml -f compose.deploy.yml run --rm backend bash scripts/prestart.sh
+      - run: docker compose -f compose.yml -f compose.deploy.yml up -d

.github/workflows/deploy-staging.yml

@@ -1,20 +1,21 @@
-name: Deploy
+name: Deploy to Staging
 
 on:
   push:
     branches:
       - master
-    paths-ignore:
-      - release-notes.md
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
   deploy:
+    environment: staging
     # Do not deploy in the main repository, only in user projects
     if: github.repository_owner != 'fastapi'
-    runs-on: self-hosted
+    runs-on:
+      - self-hosted
+      - staging
     env:
       DOMAIN: ${{ secrets.DOMAIN }}
       SECRET_KEY: ${{ secrets.SECRET_KEY }}

.github/workflows/test-backend.yml

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ jobs:
           # See: https://github.com/astral-sh/setup-uv/issues/851#issuecomment-4282017837
           version: "0.11.18"
       - run: docker compose down -v --remove-orphans
-      - run: docker compose up -d db mailcatcher
+      - run: docker compose up -d db mailpit
       - name: Migrate DB
         run: uv run bash scripts/prestart.sh
         working-directory: backend

README.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 - 🔒 Secure password hashing by default.
 - 🔑 JWT (JSON Web Token) authentication.
 - 📫 Email based password recovery.
-- 📬 [Mailcatcher](https://mailcatcher.me) for local email testing during development.
+- 📬 [Mailpit](https://mailpit.axllent.org) for local email testing during development.
 - ✅ Tests with [Pytest](https://pytest.org).
 - 📞 [Traefik](https://traefik.io) as a reverse proxy / load balancer.
 - 🚢 Deployment instructions using Docker Compose with automatic HTTPS provided by Traefik.

backend/README.md

@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
 
 Run the backend locally and connect it to PostgreSQL in Docker Compose.
 
-From the project root, start PostgreSQL and Mailcatcher:
+From the project root, start PostgreSQL and Mailpit:
 
 ```console
-$ docker compose up -d db mailcatcher
+$ docker compose up -d db mailpit
 ```
 
 Then, from `./backend/`, install the dependencies, prepare the database, and start the development server:

compose.override.yml

@@ -64,14 +64,14 @@ services:
       - ./backend/htmlcov:/app/backend/htmlcov
     environment:
       FASTAPI_ENV: "development"
-      SMTP_HOST: "mailcatcher"
+      SMTP_HOST: "mailpit"
       SMTP_PORT: "1025"
       SMTP_TLS: "false"
 
-  mailcatcher:
-    image: schickling/mailcatcher
+  mailpit:
+    image: axllent/mailpit
     ports:
-      - "1080:1080"
+      - "8025:8025"
       - "1025:1025"
 
   playwright:
@@ -83,13 +83,13 @@ services:
     ipc: host
     depends_on:
       - backend
-      - mailcatcher
+      - mailpit
     environment:
       - FIRST_SUPERUSER=${FIRST_SUPERUSER:?Variable not set}
       - FIRST_SUPERUSER_PASSWORD=${FIRST_SUPERUSER_PASSWORD:?Variable not set}
       - PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=http://backend:8000
       - VITE_API_URL=http://backend:8000
-      - MAILCATCHER_HOST=http://mailcatcher:1080
+      - MAILPIT_HOST=http://mailpit:8025
       # For the reports when run locally
       - PLAYWRIGHT_HTML_HOST=0.0.0.0
       - CI=${CI:-}

deployment.md

@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ You can deploy the project using Docker Compose to a remote server.
 
 The deployment Docker Compose configuration includes Traefik to handle HTTPS and route incoming traffic to the application.
 
-The included GitHub Actions workflow can deploy the application automatically.
+You can use CI/CD (continuous integration and continuous deployment) systems to deploy automatically, there are already configurations to do it with GitHub Actions.
 
 But you have to configure a couple things first. 🤓
 
 ## Preparation
 
-* Have a remote server ready and available.
+* Have a remote server ready and available. Use a separate server for each environment, for example one for staging and one for production.
 * Configure DNS records pointing to the server for the application domain and any supporting service subdomains you want to expose, e.g. `fastapi-project.example.com` and `adminer.fastapi-project.example.com`.
 * Install and configure [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/) on the remote server (Docker Engine, not Docker Desktop).
 
@@ -82,15 +82,12 @@ You can set several other environment variables:
 * `EMAILS_FROM_EMAIL`: The email account to send emails from.
 * `SENTRY_DSN`: The DSN for Sentry, if you are using it.
 
-## GitHub Repository Automation
+## GitHub Actions Environment Variables
 
-Install the following GitHub Apps to enable the included repository automation:
+There are some environment variables only used by GitHub Actions that you can configure:
 
-* [Latest Changes](https://github.com/apps/latest-changes) updates `release-notes.md` when a pull request is merged.
-* [PR Push](https://github.com/apps/pr-push) lets the pre-commit workflow push automated fixes to pull request branches.
-* [PR Submit](https://github.com/apps/pr-submit) lets the **Bump pre-commit hooks** and **Prepare Release** workflows create pull requests.
-
-To publish code coverage with [Smokeshow](https://github.com/samuelcolvin/smokeshow), add `SMOKESHOW_AUTH_KEY` as a repository secret.
+* `LATEST_CHANGES`: Used by the GitHub Action [latest-changes](https://github.com/tiangolo/latest-changes) to automatically add release notes based on the PRs merged. It's a personal access token, read the docs for details.
+* `SMOKESHOW_AUTH_KEY`: Used to handle and publish the code coverage using [Smokeshow](https://github.com/samuelcolvin/smokeshow), follow their instructions to create a (free) Smokeshow key.
 
 ### Deploy with Docker Compose
 
@@ -109,7 +106,7 @@ The `compose.deploy.yml` file adds the deployment settings to the shared configu
 
 You can use GitHub Actions to deploy your project automatically. 😎
 
-The included `deploy.yml` workflow deploys the application whenever changes are pushed to `master`, including when a pull request is merged. 🚀
+There are already two environment deployments configured, `staging` and `production`. Each environment should be deployed to a separate server. 🚀
 
 ### Install GitHub Actions Runner
 
@@ -139,6 +136,8 @@ cd
 
 * [Install a GitHub Action self-hosted runner following the official guide](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/hosting-your-own-runners/managing-self-hosted-runners/adding-self-hosted-runners#adding-a-self-hosted-runner-to-a-repository).
 
+* When asked about labels, add a label for the environment, e.g. `production`. You can also add labels later.
+
 After installing, the guide would tell you to run a command to start the runner. Nevertheless, it would stop once you terminate that process or if your local connection to your server is lost.
 
 To make sure it runs on startup and continues running, you can install it as a service. To do that, exit the `github` user and go back to the `root` user:
@@ -181,9 +180,17 @@ cd /home/github/actions-runner
 
 You can read more about it in the official guide: [Configuring the self-hosted runner application as a service](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/hosting-your-own-runners/managing-self-hosted-runners/configuring-the-self-hosted-runner-application-as-a-service).
 
-### Set Repository Secrets
+### Configure GitHub Environments
 
-In your repository, go to **Settings** > **Secrets and variables** > **Actions** and add the following [repository secrets](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/how-tos/write-workflows/choose-what-workflows-do/use-secrets#creating-secrets-for-a-repository):
+The deployment workflows use [GitHub Environments](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/how-tos/deploy/configure-and-manage-deployments/manage-environments) for `staging` and `production`. This enables environment-specific secrets, deployment protection rules (e.g. required reviewers, wait timers), and deployment status tracking.
+
+To configure them, go to your repository's **Settings** > **Environments** and create the `staging` and `production` environments.
+
+### Set Secrets
+
+For each GitHub Environment (`staging` and `production`), configure the required secrets as [environment secrets](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/how-tos/write-workflows/choose-what-workflows-do/use-secrets#creating-secrets-for-an-environment). Environment secrets are preferred over [repository secrets](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/how-tos/write-workflows/choose-what-workflows-do/use-secrets#creating-secrets-for-a-repository) because they are scoped to the specific environment, reducing exposure and aligning with any protection rules you configure.
+
+The deployment workflows require these secrets:
 
 * `DOMAIN`
 * `FIRST_SUPERUSER`
@@ -200,12 +207,41 @@ To enable emails, configure these additional secrets with the values from your e
 
 To enable Sentry, configure the `SENTRY_DSN` secret.
 
+## GitHub Action Deployment Workflows
+
+There are GitHub Action workflows in the `.github/workflows` directory already configured for deploying to the environments (GitHub Actions runners with the labels):
+
+* `staging`: after pushing (or merging) to the branch `master`.
+* `production`: after publishing a release.
+
+Both workflows are associated with their respective GitHub Environments, so deployments will be visible in the repository's **Environments** section and will respect any protection rules you configure.
+
+### Prepare a Release
+
+Install the [PR Submit GitHub App](https://github.com/apps/pr-submit) in your repository to enable the **Prepare Release** workflow.
+
+Run the workflow manually from the **Actions** tab and select the version bump. It creates a pull request that updates the release notes. When you merge that pull request, the **Create Draft Release** workflow creates a draft GitHub release with the corresponding release notes.
+
+Review and publish the draft release to trigger the production deployment.
+
+If you need to add extra environments you could use those as a starting point.
+
 ## URLs
 
 Replace `fastapi-project.example.com` with your domain.
 
+### Production
+
 Application (frontend and API): `https://fastapi-project.example.com`
 
 Interactive API docs: `https://fastapi-project.example.com/docs`
 
 Adminer: `https://adminer.fastapi-project.example.com`
+
+### Staging
+
+Application (frontend and API): `https://staging.fastapi-project.example.com`
+
+Interactive API docs: `https://staging.fastapi-project.example.com/docs`
+
+Adminer: `https://adminer.staging.fastapi-project.example.com`

development.md

@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 
 ## Local Development
 
-For local development, run PostgreSQL and Mailcatcher with Docker Compose, and run the FastAPI and Vite development servers locally.
+For local development, run PostgreSQL and Mailpit with Docker Compose, and run the FastAPI and Vite development servers locally.
 
 Start the supporting services:
 
 ```bash
-docker compose up -d db mailcatcher
+docker compose up -d db mailpit
 ```
 
 Then, from the `backend` directory, install the dependencies and prepare the database:
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Backend API: <http://localhost:8000>
 
 Automatic interactive API documentation with Swagger UI: <http://localhost:8000/docs>
 
-Mailcatcher: <http://localhost:1080>
+Mailpit: <http://localhost:8025>
 
 The frontend development server uses the backend at `http://localhost:8000`, as configured in `frontend/.env`.
 
@@ -71,15 +71,15 @@ Adminer, database web administration: <http://localhost:8080>
 
 Traefik UI, to see how the routes are being handled by the proxy: <http://localhost:8090>
 
-Mailcatcher: <http://localhost:1080>
+Mailpit: <http://localhost:8025>
 
 Stop a locally running FastAPI server before starting the Compose backend because both use port `8000`.
 
 **Note**: The first time you start the stack, it might take a minute for all the services to be ready. To monitor it, use `docker compose logs`, or `docker compose logs backend` for the backend service.
 
-## Mailcatcher
+## Mailpit
 
-Mailcatcher captures emails sent during local development instead of delivering them. The local backend connects to it at `localhost:1025`, and the Compose backend connects to the `mailcatcher` service. Captured emails are available at <http://localhost:1080>.
+[Mailpit](https://mailpit.axllent.org) captures emails sent during local development instead of delivering them. The local backend connects to it at `localhost:1025`, and the Compose backend connects to the `mailpit` service. Captured emails are available at <http://localhost:8025>.
 
 ## Docker Compose files and env vars
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ biome check..............................................................Passed
 
 ## URLs
 
-The deployed URLs use these same paths, but with your own domain.
+The production or staging URLs would use these same paths, but with your own domain.
 
 ### Development URLs
 
@@ -172,4 +172,4 @@ Adminer: <http://localhost:8080>
 
 Traefik UI: <http://localhost:8090>
 
-MailCatcher: <http://localhost:1080>
+Mailpit: <http://localhost:8025>

frontend/.env

@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 VITE_API_URL=http://localhost:8000
-MAILCATCHER_HOST=http://localhost:1080
+MAILPIT_HOST=http://localhost:8025

frontend/tests/reset-password.spec.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test"
-import { findLastEmail } from "./utils/mailcatcher"
+import { emailUrl, findLastEmail } from "./utils/mailpit"
 import { randomEmail, randomPassword } from "./utils/random"
 import { logInUser, signUpNewUser } from "./utils/user"
 
@@ -46,13 +46,11 @@ test("User can reset password successfully using the link", async ({
 
   const emailData = await findLastEmail({
     request,
-    filter: (e) => e.recipients.includes(`<${email}>`),
+    query: `to:${email}`,
     timeout: 5000,
   })
 
-  await page.goto(
-    `${process.env.MAILCATCHER_HOST}/messages/${emailData.id}.html`,
-  )
+  await page.goto(emailUrl(emailData))
 
   const selector = 'a[href*="/reset-password?token="]'
 
@@ -99,13 +97,11 @@ test("Weak new password validation", async ({ page, request }) => {
 
   const emailData = await findLastEmail({
     request,
-    filter: (e) => e.recipients.includes(`<${email}>`),
+    query: `to:${email}`,
     timeout: 5000,
   })
 
-  await page.goto(
-    `${process.env.MAILCATCHER_HOST}/messages/${emailData.id}.html`,
-  )
+  await page.goto(emailUrl(emailData))
 
   const selector = 'a[href*="/reset-password?token="]'
   const url = await page.getAttribute(selector, "href")

frontend/tests/utils/mailcatcher.ts

@@ -1,62 +0,0 @@
-import type { APIRequestContext } from "@playwright/test"
-
-type Email = {
-  id: number
-  recipients: string[]
-  subject: string
-}
-
-async function findEmail({
-  request,
-  filter,
-}: {
-  request: APIRequestContext
-  filter?: (email: Email) => boolean
-}) {
-  const response = await request.get(`${process.env.MAILCATCHER_HOST}/messages`)
-
-  let emails = await response.json()
-
-  if (filter) {
-    emails = emails.filter(filter)
-  }
-
-  const email = emails[emails.length - 1]
-
-  if (email) {
-    return email as Email
-  }
-
-  return null
-}
-
-export function findLastEmail({
-  request,
-  filter,
-  timeout = 5000,
-}: {
-  request: APIRequestContext
-  filter?: (email: Email) => boolean
-  timeout?: number
-}) {
-  const timeoutPromise = new Promise<never>((_, reject) =>
-    setTimeout(
-      () => reject(new Error("Timeout while trying to get latest email")),
-      timeout,
-    ),
-  )
-
-  const checkEmails = async () => {
-    while (true) {
-      const emailData = await findEmail({ request, filter })
-
-      if (emailData) {
-        return emailData
-      }
-      // Wait for 100ms before checking again
-      await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 100))
-    }
-  }
-
-  return Promise.race([timeoutPromise, checkEmails()])
-}

frontend/tests/utils/mailpit.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+import type { APIRequestContext } from "@playwright/test"
+
+type Address = {
+  Name: string
+  Address: string
+}
+
+type Email = {
+  ID: string
+  To: Address[]
+  Subject: string
+}
+
+async function findEmail({
+  request,
+  query,
+}: {
+  request: APIRequestContext
+  query: string
+}) {
+  const response = await request.get(
+    `${process.env.MAILPIT_HOST}/api/v1/search`,
+    {
+      params: { query, limit: 1 },
+    },
+  )
+
+  const { messages }: { messages: Email[] } = await response.json()
+
+  return messages[0] ?? null
+}
+
+export async function findLastEmail({
+  request,
+  query,
+  timeout = 5000,
+}: {
+  request: APIRequestContext
+  query: string
+  timeout?: number
+}) {
+  const deadline = Date.now() + timeout
+
+  while (Date.now() < deadline) {
+    const email = await findEmail({ request, query })
+
+    if (email) {
+      return email
+    }
+
+    await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 100))
+  }
+
+  throw new Error(`Timeout while trying to get the latest email for "${query}"`)
+}
+
+export function emailUrl(email: Email) {
+  return `${process.env.MAILPIT_HOST}/view/${email.ID}.html`
+}

release-notes.md

@@ -2,11 +2,8 @@
 
 ## Latest Changes
 
-## 0.11.1 (2026-08-11)
-
 ### Refactors
 
-* ♻️ Simplify Docker Compose deployment. PR [#2435](https://github.com/fastapi/full-stack-fastapi-template/pull/2435) by [@tiangolo](https://github.com/tiangolo).
 * ♻️ Migrate to `DATABASE_URL` instead of separate variables. PR [#2184](https://github.com/fastapi/full-stack-fastapi-template/pull/2184) by [@patrick91](https://github.com/patrick91).
 
 ### Internal