From Zero to Hero: Self-Hosting Your Sapper Application with DigitalOcean
Are you ready to take your Sapper application to the next level by self-hosting it on a DigitalOcean droplet? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, covering everything from setting up your server to deploying your app with Git.
Getting Started with a Virtual Server
Choosing the right hosting plan can be daunting, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. For a small application like ours, a basic $5/month plan from DigitalOcean is more than sufficient. We’ll opt for Ubuntu as our platform, and set up our server with SSH access.
Setting Up Your Server
Before we dive into the fun stuff, let’s get our server configured. We’ll set up a user account, enable SSH, and configure our firewall. This will ensure that our server is secure and ready for action.
Node and Nginx: The Dynamic Duo
Next, we’ll install Node.js and Nginx, the perfect pair for serving our Sapper application. We’ll add the necessary repositories, install Node, and configure Nginx to act as a reverse proxy. This will allow us to serve our app on port 80, while Node handles the heavy lifting.
Deploying Your App with Git
Gone are the days of FTP; we’ll use Git to deploy our app with ease. We’ll create a bare Git repository, set up a post-receive hook, and configure our local machine to push changes to our server. This will automate the deployment process, ensuring that our app is always up-to-date.
Running Your App with PM2
To ensure our app remains running smoothly, we’ll use PM2 to manage our application. This will allow us to restart our app automatically in case of a crash, and even set up a startup script to run our app when our server restarts.
Caching and Nginx Server Blocks
Now that our app is running, let’s optimize it with caching. We’ll set up Nginx to cache our app’s responses, reducing the load on our server and improving performance. We’ll also create a server block to configure Nginx to serve our app on port 80.
Adding a Domain Name and HTTPS
The final touches: we’ll add a domain name and enable HTTPS using CloudFlare’s flexible SSL service. This will give our app a professional touch and ensure that our users’ data remains secure.
Testing and Troubleshooting
We’ve made it! Now it’s time to test our app and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. We’ll cover common pitfalls and provide tips to get you back on track.
Conclusion
With these simple steps, you’ve successfully self-hosted your Sapper application on a DigitalOcean droplet. You’ve taken control of your app’s hosting, and opened up a world of possibilities for customization and optimization. Pat yourself on the back, and happy coding!