Deploying a Node.js Site on Vercel Using vercel.json
Tags: webdev, javascript, beginners, programming
Published: 2024-02-20 05:56:47


Are you looking to deploy your Node.js application on Vercel? Vercel provides a seamless and efficient platform for hosting your Node.js projects, allowing you to deploy and scale your applications with ease. In this article, we'll explore how to use `vercel.json` to deploy a Node.js site on Vercel.

### What is vercel.json?

`vercel.json` is a configuration file used by Vercel to define deployment settings for your projects. It allows you to customize various aspects of your deployment, such as the build process, routing, and environment variables. By configuring `vercel.json`, you can ensure that your project is deployed and served according to your specific requirements.

### Getting Started

Before we dive into the details of `vercel.json`, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

- A Vercel account (sign up at [vercel.com](https://vercel.com))
- A Node.js project that you want to deploy

### Creating a vercel.json File

To deploy a Node.js site on Vercel, you'll need to create a `vercel.json` file in the root directory of your project. This file will contain the deployment configuration for your project. Here's a basic example of a `vercel.json` file:

```json
{
  "version": 2,
  "builds": [
    {
      "src": "./index.js",
      "use": "@vercel/node"
    }
  ],
  "routes": [
    {
      "src": "/(.*)",
      "dest": "/"
    }
  ]
}
```

Let's break down the contents of this `vercel.json` file:

- `"version": 2`: Specifies the version of the Vercel configuration. This indicates that you are using version 2 of the configuration.

- `"builds"`: Defines how your application should be built and served. In this example, it specifies that your application source file is `index.js`, and it should use `@vercel/node` builder, which indicates that it's a Node.js application.

- `"routes"`: Specifies how incoming requests should be routed. The `"src": "/(.*)"` captures all incoming requests, and `"dest": "/"` redirects them to the root directory, where your Node.js application is being served.

### Deploying Your Node.js Site

Once you've created your `vercel.json` file, deploying your Node.js site on Vercel is a breeze. Here's how you can do it:

1. **Install Vercel CLI**: If you haven't already, install the Vercel CLI globally on your machine by running `npm install -g vercel`.

2. **Navigate to Your Project Directory**: Use the terminal to navigate to the root directory of your Node.js project.

3. **Run `vercel`**: In your project directory, run the command `vercel`. This will start the deployment process and guide you through the configuration steps.

4. **Follow the Prompts**: Vercel will prompt you to log in (if you haven't already) and select your project directory. It will then analyze your project and detect the presence of a `vercel.json` file. If detected, it will use the configuration specified in the `vercel.json` file during the deployment process.

5. **Deploy Your Project**: Once the configuration is complete, Vercel will deploy your Node.js site. It will provide you with a unique URL where your site is hosted.

### Conclusion

Using `vercel.json`, you can easily configure and deploy your Node.js projects on Vercel. By customizing the deployment settings to match your project's requirements, you can ensure that your site is served efficiently and effectively. Whether you're building a simple API or a complex web application, Vercel's powerful platform makes it easy to deploy and scale your Node.js projects.

Start deploying your Node.js site on Vercel today and take advantage of its seamless hosting solution!