Docker is definitely useful, and I have worked with people who have very nice Docker workflows. Personally, I prefer VMs in GCP, Azure, or AWS. VMs can be stop

Docker is definitely useful, and I have worked with people who have very nice Docker workflows. Personally, I prefer VMs in GCP, Azure, or AWS. VMs can be stopped when not in use so their use can be inexpensive enough for both hobby projects and work. Instead of writing a Dockerfile, etc. for a new project, I create a VM. This has the advantage of using VMs much more powerful that any laptop I own. This does require being OK with a mosh/ssh, Emacs/Vim, development style.