A Step-by-Step Guide to Next JS Deployment

Next.js deployment can seem daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward once you know the steps. First, you'll need to set up a new Next.js project using the command `npx create-next-app my-app`.

To get started with Next.js deployment, you'll need to have a basic understanding of the Next.js architecture. This includes the concept of pages, routes, and server-side rendering.

You can create a new page in your Next.js project by running the command `npx next page new-page`. This will generate a new page in the `pages` directory.

For production environments, you'll want to configure Next.js to use a production build. This involves setting the `buildId` environment variable to a unique value for each deployment.

You can deploy a locally built Next.js app to Vercel. To do this, you'll need to follow the steps outlined in the "Deploy a locally built Next.js app" section.

Vercel is a popular platform for deploying Next.js apps, and it offers a seamless integration with the Next.js framework. You can deploy your app with just a few clicks, and Vercel will take care of the rest.

Deploying your Next.js application can be done in several ways, depending on your needs and preferences.

You can deploy a locally built Next.js app to Vercel, but if you want to mimic the production environment and test changes, consider using Docker to build and run your app.

To deploy a locally built Next.js app, follow the steps in the Vercel documentation, which involves deploying the app to the cloud platform.

If you want to deploy your app to Kinsta using Docker, you'll need to follow a series of steps, including hosting your app's codebase on a Git repository, logging into your MyKinsta account, and setting up container image using Dockerfile.

You can also use Git deployment to connect your existing Next.js application to RunCloud, which involves cloning a Git repository to RunCloud and selecting your Git provider.

Deploying with Docker offers several benefits, including scalability and portability. With Docker, you can run several instances of your container on different servers, handling increased traffic without affecting your app's performance.

Here are the general steps to deploy a Next.js app using Docker:

Additionally, you can use Buildpacks and Nixpacks with Kinsta to deploy your applications automatically, but this may limit your customization options. With a Dockerfile, you can configure precisely how you want to build and deploy your application.

Containerizing your Next.js application with a Dockerfile involves creating a Dockerfile in your app's root directory, which includes copying the rest of the application code to the container.

Once you've deployed your Next.js application, it's time to put it to the test. Visit your Next.js application using your Vercel production URL.

Assuming you created authentication buttons, clicking the login button will take you to the Auth0 Universal Login page. You can use the form to log in with a username and password or a social identity provider like Google.

After signing in, Auth0 will redirect you to your Next.js application deployed on Vercel. The Auth0 Next.js SDK tracks the authentication state of your users through the user value.

This value can be used to render UI elements conditionally based on the authentication state of your users.

To deploy a Next.js application with Docker, you need Node.js and npm installed. This is a crucial first step, as Docker relies on Node.js to run your application.

You'll also need Docker Desktop (or Docker Engine) installed and running on your computer. Make sure it's up and running before proceeding with the deployment process.

Here are the specific requirements in a concise list:

To integrate your Next.js project with Vercel, start by logging in to the Vercel Dashboard and selecting the "Add New" drop-down to import your project.

You'll need to define environment variables for Auth0, including the Auth0 Domain, Client ID, Client Secret, and a session secret to sign the session ID cookie.

Copy the long-string output from the terminal and paste it into the input box for the session secret. You'll also need to set the AUTH0_BASE_URL environment variable, which you'll configure once Vercel has assigned a domain for your production deployment.

Click the "Deploy" button to kickstart the Vercel deployment process for Next.js web applications.

While your Next.js application runs on Vercel, it will redirect users to Auth0 whenever they trigger an authentication request.

To complete the configuration, you'll need to specify the Vercel production deployment URL of your Next.js application as an "Auth0 Allowed Callback URL" in your Auth0 Application Settings.

Head back to the Vercel Dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab to get the Vercel production deployment URL.

This URL is the value you'll fill in for the "Allowed Callback URLs" in your Auth0 Application Settings.

You'll also need to define the Vercel production deployment URL as the "Logout URL" in your Auth0 Application Settings.

Redeploy your application when modifying the environment variables for the changes to take effect.

For production deployments, you should use the Vercel Production Domain to set the AUTH0_BASE_URL environment variable. This is a crucial step in ensuring your application is properly configured.

To set the AUTH0_BASE_URL environment variable, select your project in the Vercel Dashboard and click on the "Settings" tab. Then, select the "Environment Variables" option.

Vercel recommends redeploying your application when modifying the environment variables for the changes to take effect. This ensures that your application is running with the updated configuration.

Head back to your project from the Vercel Dashboard and click on the "Deployments" tab that lists all the previous builds.

Custom deployments in Next.js offer a high degree of flexibility and control.

You can use a custom server to handle requests, which can be especially useful for complex applications that require a high level of customization.

For example, you can use a custom server to handle authentication and authorization for your application.

With custom deployments, you can also use a custom build process to optimize your application for specific use cases.

This can be particularly useful for applications that require a high level of performance, such as real-time data processing or video streaming.

By using a custom build process, you can ensure that your application is optimized for the specific requirements of your use case.

Custom deployments can also be used to integrate Next.js with other frameworks and libraries, such as GraphQL or REST APIs.

This can be especially useful for applications that require a high degree of integration with other systems.

For example, you can use a custom deployment to integrate Next.js with a GraphQL API for real-time data processing.

Overall, custom deployments in Next.js offer a high degree of flexibility and control, making them a great option for complex applications that require a high level of customization.

Containerization is a crucial step in deploying a Next.js app. You can containerize your Next.js application and deploy it with Docker by creating a Dockerfile in your app's root directory.

To start, you'll need to copy the rest of the application code to the container with a command like `COPY . /app/`. This will ensure that your app's code is properly included in the container.

You can then build the app with `docker build` to create a container image. To preview your application locally, you can run `docker build` followed by `docker run` to launch the container.

If you want to deploy your app to Kinsta, you'll need to host your app's codebase on a Git repository (e.g. GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket). You'll also need to log into your MyKinsta account and follow the steps to deploy your app using the Dockerfile.

To deploy to Kinsta, you'll need to select your Git provider, repository, and branch, as well as choose your build environment and select Use Dockerfile to set up container image. If your Dockerfile isn't in your repo's root, you can use Context to indicate its path.

Here's a brief overview of the steps to deploy to Kinsta:

The development and build process is a crucial step in deploying a Next.js application. Start by creating the build stage in your Dockerfile using the official latest stable Node.js alpine image as the base image.

To ensure a smooth build process, install the app dependencies using npm install. This command will install all the necessary dependencies for your application. You can then create the runtime stage to deploy your application.

To set up a new Next.js app, run the npx create-next-app . command in your terminal. This will create a new Next.js app in the current directory. You can then run npm install and npm run build to bundle everything into the build directory.

Creating an empty application is a great place to start your development journey. Log into your RunCloud dashboard and navigate to the “Web Applications” section.

To create a blank application, click on “Create Web Application” and then switch to the “Empty Web App” tab. Give your web app a name that describes your project.

You can configure other basic details such as domain name and tech stack, but you can always change them later. Set the public folder to /build, which is where your website will be served from.

If you're using a custom build directory in your project, replace /build with the path of your directory. After configuring the app, click on “Deploy” to save the changes.

The build stage is a crucial step in creating a Docker image for your application. You start by creating the app's build stage in your Dockerfile.

To begin, use the official latest stable Node.js alpine image as the base image for the build stage. This ensures your application is built on a reliable foundation.

Next, install the app dependencies using npm install. This command is essential for setting up your application's environment.

Here's a summary of the steps to create the build stage:

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a solid build stage for your application.