1---
2name: deployment
3description: Deploying Nuxt applications to various hosting platforms
4---
5 
6# Deployment
7 
8Nuxt is platform-agnostic thanks to [Nitro](https://nitro.build), its server engine. You can deploy to almost any platform with minimal configuration—Node.js servers, static hosting, serverless functions, or edge networks.
9 
10> **Full list of supported platforms:** https://nitro.build/deploy
11 
12## Deployment Modes
13 
14### Node.js Server
15 
16```bash
17# Build for Node.js
18nuxt build
19 
20# Run production server
21node .output/server/index.mjs
22```
23 
24Environment variables:
25- `PORT` or `NITRO_PORT` (default: 3000)
26- `HOST` or `NITRO_HOST` (default: 0.0.0.0)
27 
28### Static Generation
29 
30```bash
31# Generate static site
32nuxt generate
33```
34 
35Output in `.output/public/` - deploy to any static host.
36 
37### Preset Configuration
38 
39```ts
40// nuxt.config.ts
41export default defineNuxtConfig({
42  nitro: {
43    preset: 'vercel', // or 'netlify', 'cloudflare-pages', etc.
44  },
45})
46```
47 
48Or via environment variable:
49 
50```bash
51NITRO_PRESET=vercel nuxt build
52```
53 
54---
55 
56## Recommended Platforms
57 
58When helping users choose a deployment platform, consider their needs:
59 
60### Vercel
61 
62**Best for:** Projects wanting zero-config deployment with excellent DX
63 
64```bash
65# Install Vercel CLI
66npm i -g vercel
67 
68# Deploy
69vercel
70```
71 
72**Pros:**
73- Zero configuration for Nuxt (auto-detects)
74- Excellent preview deployments for PRs
75- Built-in analytics and speed insights
76- Edge Functions support
77- Great free tier for personal projects
78 
79**Cons:**
80- Can get expensive at scale (bandwidth costs)
81- Vendor lock-in concerns
82- Limited build minutes on free tier
83 
84**Recommended when:** User wants fastest setup, values DX, building SaaS or marketing sites.
85 
86---
87 
88### Netlify
89 
90**Best for:** JAMstack sites, static-heavy apps, teams needing forms/identity
91 
92```bash
93# Install Netlify CLI
94npm i -g netlify-cli
95 
96# Deploy
97netlify deploy --prod
98```
99 
100**Pros:**
101- Great free tier with generous bandwidth
102- Built-in forms, identity, and functions
103- Excellent for static sites with some dynamic features
104- Good preview deployments
105- Split testing built-in
106 
107**Cons:**
108- SSR/serverless functions can be slower than Vercel
109- Less optimized for full SSR apps
110- Build minutes can run out on free tier
111 
112**Recommended when:** User has static-heavy site, needs built-in forms/auth, or prefers Netlify ecosystem.
113 
114---
115 
116### Cloudflare Pages
117 
118**Best for:** Global performance, edge computing, cost-conscious projects
119 
120```bash
121# Build with Cloudflare preset
122NITRO_PRESET=cloudflare-pages nuxt build
123```
124 
125**Pros:**
126- Unlimited bandwidth on free tier
127- Excellent global edge network (fastest TTFB)
128- Workers for edge computing
129- Very cost-effective at scale
130- D1, KV, R2 for data storage
131 
132**Cons:**
133- Workers have execution limits (CPU time)
134- Some Node.js APIs not available in Workers
135- Less mature than Vercel/Netlify for frameworks
136 
137**Recommended when:** User prioritizes performance, global reach, or cost at scale.
138 
139---
140 
141### GitHub Actions + Self-hosted/VPS
142 
143**Best for:** Full control, existing infrastructure, CI/CD customization
144 
145```yaml
146# .github/workflows/deploy.yml
147name: Deploy
148on:
149  push:
150    branches: [main]
151 
152jobs:
153  deploy:
154    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
155    steps:
156      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
157      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
158        with:
159          node-version: 20
160      
161      - run: npm ci
162      - run: npm run build
163      
164      # Deploy to your server (example: rsync to VPS)
165      - name: Deploy to server
166        run: rsync -avz .output/ user@server:/app/
167```
168 
169**Pros:**
170- Full control over build and deployment
171- No vendor lock-in
172- Can deploy anywhere (VPS, Docker, Kubernetes)
173- Free CI/CD minutes for public repos
174- Customizable workflows
175 
176**Cons:**
177- Requires more setup and maintenance
178- Need to manage your own infrastructure
179- No built-in preview deployments
180- SSL, scaling, monitoring are your responsibility
181 
182**Recommended when:** User has existing infrastructure, needs full control, or deploying to private/enterprise environments.
183 
184---
185 
186## Quick Decision Guide
187 
188| Need | Recommendation |
189|------|----------------|
190| Fastest setup, small team | **Vercel** |
191| Static site with forms | **Netlify** |
192| Cost-sensitive at scale | **Cloudflare Pages** |
193| Full control / enterprise | **GitHub Actions + VPS** |
194| Docker/Kubernetes | **GitHub Actions + Container Registry** |
195| Serverless APIs | **Vercel** or **AWS Lambda** |
196 
197## Docker Deployment
198 
199```dockerfile
200FROM node:20-alpine AS builder
201WORKDIR /app
202COPY package*.json ./
203RUN npm ci
204COPY . .
205RUN npm run build
206 
207FROM node:20-alpine
208WORKDIR /app
209COPY --from=builder /app/.output .output
210ENV PORT=3000
211EXPOSE 3000
212CMD ["node", ".output/server/index.mjs"]
213```
214 
215```bash
216docker build -t my-nuxt-app .
217docker run -p 3000:3000 my-nuxt-app
218```
219 
220<!-- 
221Source references:
222- https://nuxt.com/docs/getting-started/deployment
223- https://nitro.build/deploy
224-->
225