diff --git a/pyml_cli/templates/project/{{ cookiecutter.__repo_name }}/Dockerfile b/pyml_cli/templates/project/{{ cookiecutter.__repo_name }}/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..02ac950
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pyml_cli/templates/project/{{ cookiecutter.__repo_name }}/Dockerfile	
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+FROM ghcr.io/prefix-dev/pixi:0.41.4 AS build
+
+# copy source code, pixi.toml and pixi.lock to the container
+WORKDIR /app
+COPY . .
+# install dependencies to `/app/.pixi/envs/api`
+# use `--locked` to ensure the lockfile is up to date with pixi.toml
+RUN pixi install --locked -e api
+# create the shell-hook bash script to activate the environment
+RUN pixi shell-hook -e api -s bash > /shell-hook
+RUN echo "#!/bin/bash" > /app/entrypoint.sh
+RUN cat /shell-hook >> /app/entrypoint.sh
+# extend the shell-hook script to run the command passed to the container
+RUN echo 'exec "$@"' >> /app/entrypoint.sh
+
+FROM ubuntu:24.04 AS production
+WORKDIR /app
+# only copy the production environment into prod container
+# please note that the "prefix" (path) needs to stay the same as in the build container
+COPY --from=build /app/.pixi/envs/api /app/.pixi/envs/api
+COPY --from=build --chmod=0755 /app/entrypoint.sh /app/entrypoint.sh
+# copy your project code into the container as well
+COPY ./{{ cookiecutter.__package_name }} /app/{{ cookiecutter.__package_name }}
+
+EXPOSE 8000
+ENTRYPOINT [ "/app/entrypoint.sh" ]
+# run your app inside the pixi environment
+CMD [ "uvicorn", "{{ cookiecutter.__package_name }}.scripts.app:app", "--host", "0.0.0.0" ]
diff --git a/pyml_cli/templates/project/{{ cookiecutter.__repo_name }}/pyproject.toml b/pyml_cli/templates/project/{{ cookiecutter.__repo_name }}/pyproject.toml
index 5adb6a1..33863fa 100644
--- a/pyml_cli/templates/project/{{ cookiecutter.__repo_name }}/pyproject.toml	
+++ b/pyml_cli/templates/project/{{ cookiecutter.__repo_name }}/pyproject.toml	
@@ -162,3 +162,4 @@ default = { features = ["tests", "devtools", "notebook", "setup"] }
 docs = { features = ["docs"] }
 tests = { features = ["tests", "setup"] }
 cuda = { features = ["tests", "devtools", "notebook", "setup", "cuda"] }
+api = { features = ["api"] }