Feb 12, 2023 3 min read Programming

Node.js Deployment

In this blog, I will share a few steps for deploying a Node.js app to DigitalOcean using PM2, NGINX as a reverse proxy, and an SSL from LetsEncrypt. DISCLAIMER: This is just a quick tutorial without detailed steps . I will update this blog soon with step-by-step tutorials. So, let's get started!"

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2. Create a droplet and log in via ssh / droplet console

It will be fine if you use the root account for testing, but it is highly recommended to set up a user account for security and production purposes.

3. Install Node/NPM

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_12.x | sudo -E bash -

sudo apt install nodejs

node --version

If you want to install the latest or other versions of Node.js, visit this URL. All versions of Node.js are available there . https://github.com/nodesource/distributions#debinstall

4. Clone your project from Github

There are several methods for uploading your files to the server. I would suggest using Git.

git clone yourproject.git

5. Install dependencies and test app

cd yourproject
npm install
npm start (or whatever your start command)
# stop app
ctrl+C

6. Setup PM2 process manager to keep your app running

sudo npm i pm2 -g
pm2 start app (or whatever your file name)

# Other pm2 commands
pm2 show app
pm2 status
pm2 restart app
pm2 stop app
pm2 logs (Show log stream)
pm2 flush (Clear logs)

# To make sure app starts when reboot
pm2 startup ubuntu

You should now be able to access your app using your IP and port. Now we want to setup a firewall blocking that port and setup NGINX as a reverse proxy so we can access it directly using port 80 (http)

7. Setup ufw firewall

sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status
sudo ufw allow ssh (Port 22)
sudo ufw allow http (Port 80)
sudo ufw allow https (Port 443)

8. Install NGINX and configure

sudo apt install nginx

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

Add the following to the location part of the server block

    server_name yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:5000; #whatever port your app runs on
        proxy_http_version 1.1;
        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
        proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
    }

# Check NGINX config
sudo nginx -t

# Restart NGINX
sudo service nginx restart

You should now be able to visit your IP with no port (port 80) and see your app. Now let's add a domain

9. Add domain in Digital Ocean

In Digital Ocean, go to networking and add a domain

Add an A record for @ and for www to your droplet

Register and/or setup domain from registrar

I prefer Namecheap for domains. Please use this affiliate link if you are going to use them https://namecheap.pxf.io/MXGd7Y

Choose "Custom nameservers" and add these 3

ns1.digitalocean.com
ns2.digitalocean.com
ns3.digitalocean.com

It may take a bit to propogate

Add SSL with LetsEncrypt

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:certbot/certbot
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install python-certbot-nginx
sudo certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com

# Only valid for 90 days, test the renewal process with
certbot renew --dry-run

Now visit https://yourdomain.com and voila ! you should see your Node app .

So, this is the way I deploy Node.js. There might be a better way, such as using AWS , Micsroft Azure , GCP or another cloud provider. However, the point of this demonstration is to show what I have actually done. Maybe in the future, I will update the blog with some advanced steps, such as configuring MySQL for the databases .

1. Sign up for Digital Ocean