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Deploy guide · Next.js

Next.jsDeploy Next.js in minutes.

Connect the repository, Railpack builds it, the service gets a domain with TLS. Databases from templates, usage drawn per minute from a prepaid balance, everything on EU nodes.

Start freeSee the CLI guide
A dockside crane lowers a glowing crate into a small skiff moored at a night pier
$ npm i -g skiffly && skiffly login
$ cd my-next-app && skiffly init
$ skiffly up
$ skiffly domain
01Build

What Railpack detects

Railpack inspects the repository and picks the build for Next.js; most projects need no configuration. A Dockerfile in the repository always wins.

  • package.json with next
  • next.config.*
  • lockfile: pnpm / npm / yarn / bun
Builder
Railpack (default)
Start command
npm run start

Derived by Railpack; override it in Settings → Deploy → Start command.

02Port

Port and $PORT

Skiffly injects PORT into every service and routes the public domain to it. Set the port in the service settings when your app listens on a fixed one; the default is 3000 for Next.js, 8080 when nothing is set.

Listen on $PORT
next start -p $PORT   # Railpack passes PORT; Next.js reads it
PORT
3000
SKIFFLY_PUBLIC_DOMAIN
<service>.skiffly.cloud
Terminal

From a terminal

Install the CLI, link the directory, deploy. skiffly up builds the pushed HEAD of the current branch and streams the build logs; skiffly domain gives the service a *.skiffly.cloud address.

Config as code

Or describe it once

.skiffly/skiffly.ts declares the service, its databases and the references between them. skiffly config plan shows the diff, skiffly config apply makes it so. The API mirrors railway/iac.

Config as code
.skiffly/skiffly.ts
// .skiffly/skiffly.ts
import { defineSkiffly, github, postgres, project, service } from "@skiffly/config";

export default defineSkiffly(() => {
  const db = postgres("db");

  const web = service("web", {
    source: github("acme/web"),
    build: "pnpm build",
    start: "pnpm start",
    port: 3000,
    healthcheck: "/",
    env: {
      DATABASE_URL: db.env.DATABASE_URL,
      NODE_ENV: "production",
    },
  });

  return project("web", { resources: [web, db] });
});
Templates

Works with the templates you need

Deploy a database next to the Next.js service and reference its variables: ${{Postgres.DATABASE_URL}} is wired on the private network, no public port.

Browse all templates
Starter templateNext.jsA minimal Next.js app ready to deploy: fork it, or deploy the template as is and connect your repository later.PostgreSQL 17The world's most advanced open-source relational database, with a persistent volume and DATABASE_URL pre-wired.Redis 7In-memory data store for caching, sessions and queues with append-only persistence.Next.js + Prisma + PostgresNext.js with Prisma ORM and a PostgreSQL database.
FAQ

Next.js on Skiffly: common questions

How do I set environment variables for Next.js?
In the service's Variables tab, with skiffly variables set KEY=value, or in .skiffly/skiffly.ts. Reference other services with ${{Postgres.DATABASE_URL}} and environment-wide values with ${{shared.NAME}}. Secrets are encrypted at rest.
Can I change the build or start command?
Yes. Settings → Source → Build command overrides Railpack's build step; Settings → Deploy → Start command replaces the start command. A monorepo sets a root directory so the build runs inside it.
How do I add Postgres or Redis?
Deploy the template into the same environment. It arrives with a volume, generated credentials and a connection URL you reference from the Next.js service. Connect from your laptop with skiffly connect postgres.
Do I get preview environments per pull request?
Turn on PR previews on the project: every pull request gets its own copy of the environment on its own domain, removed when the PR is merged or closed. Forks are ignored.
What does a small Next.js app cost?
A 512 MB / 0.25 vCPU service runs at about $7.75 a month, drawn per minute from your balance. Add Postgres with 512 MB / 0.25 vCPU and a 10 GB volume for about $9 more. The free tier runs one 512 MB app with App Sleeping plus one 512 MB database at no cost.
Can the Next.js service sleep when idle?
Turn on App Sleeping: after about 10 minutes without a request it scales to zero and wakes on the next one (2–10 s). CPU and memory are not billed while asleep; the volume is.
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