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.

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.