Usage

Create new project for local development

composer create-project lakedrops/d8-project DIRNAME --stability dev --no-interaction

This will build the full structure and create a git repository which you can then use during the full live-cycle of that project.

Deploy project to upstream stages

For initial deployment, follow this:

mkdir /PATH/TO/ROOT
cd /PATH/TO/ROOT
git clone YOUR-GIT-REPOSITORY .
composer install

Optionally you can also create all the scaffolds by using

composer drupal-scaffold

For later update:

cd /PATH/TO/ROOT
git pull
composer update

Adding new and updating existing components

Edit the composer.json file accoring to your requirements and then run composer update.

Links

Using Composer to install Drupal packages through Drupal.org

Credit

Composer template for Drupal projects