Node.js Lesson 15: Deployment

Your API works locally — now let’s put it on the internet. This lesson covers deployment to Railway and Render (two free, beginner-friendly platforms).

Prepare Your App for Production

// 1. Make PORT configurable
app.listen(process.env.PORT || 3000);

// 2. Add start script to package.json
"scripts": {
  "start": "node app.js",
  "dev": "nodemon app.js"
}

// 3. Create .gitignore
node_modules/
.env

// 4. Commit to GitHub
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
git push origin main

Deploy to Railway

# 1. Go to railway.app and sign up
# 2. "New Project" → "Deploy from GitHub Repo"
# 3. Select your repo
# 4. Add environment variables in Railway dashboard:
#    PORT=3000 (Railway sets this automatically)
#    DB_URL=mongodb+srv://...
#    JWT_SECRET=your_secret
# 5. Click Deploy — Railway builds and deploys!
# 6. You get a URL like: myapp.railway.app

Deploy to Render

# 1. Go to render.com
# 2. "New Web Service" → Connect GitHub
# 3. Settings:
#    Build command: npm install
#    Start command: npm start
# 4. Add environment variables
# 5. Free tier: spins down after 15min inactivity
#    (First request is slow — "cold start")