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Express.js Deploying Apps to Vercel

Vercel is a cloud platform optimized for deploying serverless applications. Deploying an Express.js app to Vercel is straightforward and provides fast scaling and global distribution.

 

Key Features of Deploying Express.js to Vercel

  • Serverless Deployment: Vercel automatically scales applications based on demand, eliminating the need for manual scaling.
  • Global Distribution: Vercel has a global edge network to ensure low-latency access to your application.
  • Ease of Use: The deployment process is quick and user-friendly, with seamless integration into GitHub or GitLab.

 

Steps to Deploy Express.js Apps to Vercel

1. Set Up a Vercel Account

Create an account on Vercel.

2. Install Vercel CLI

Install the Vercel CLI globally on your system:

npm install -g vercel

3. Prepare Your Express.js App

Ensure that your Express app is set up and running locally. If it’s using a package.json, make sure you have the correct start script:

{
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node index.js"
  }
}

4. Create vercel.json Configuration File

In the root of your project, create a vercel.json configuration file to define how your app will run. Example:

{
  "version": 2,
  "builds": [
    {
      "src": "index.js",
      "use": "@vercel/node"
    }
  ]
}

This file tells Vercel to use the Node.js runtime for your app.

5. Login to Vercel CLI

Log into your Vercel account via the CLI:

vercel login

6. Deploy the App

Deploy the app to Vercel by running:

vercel

This command will guide you through the deployment process, asking for the project name and which Git integration to use (if any). If it's the first time you're deploying, Vercel will create a project for you.

7. Access the Deployed Application

Once the deployment is complete, Vercel will provide a unique URL for your app, such as https://your-project-name.vercel.app.

8. Set Up a Custom Domain (Optional)

You can add a custom domain to your Vercel app through the Vercel dashboard or CLI:

vercel domains add your-domain.com

9. Set Up Environment Variables (Optional)

If your app requires environment variables (such as API keys), you can add them in the Vercel dashboard or through the CLI:

vercel env add VARIABLE_NAME production

 

Example of package.json for Vercel

Your package.json should look something like this to ensure compatibility:

{
  "name": "express-app",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "Express app deployed to Vercel",
  "main": "index.js",
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node index.js"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "express": "^4.17.1"
  }
}

 

Summary

Deploying an Express.js app to Vercel is a simple and efficient process. By setting up the vercel.json configuration and using the Vercel CLI, you can deploy your app with minimal effort. The platform automatically handles scaling and provides a global network to ensure high availability and fast access to your application.

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