vercel setup

Vercel Deployment Setup - Complete Guide

This document provides an overview of the Vercel deployment infrastructure created for nchat.

Created: 2026-01-31 Status: Ready for Deployment

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What Was Created

1. Configuration Files

/vercel.json

Optimized Vercel configuration with:

• Next.js framework preset
• pnpm package manager
• Security headers (CSP, X-Frame-Options, etc.)
• Cache control for API routes and static assets
• Clean URLs and trailing slash handling
• Function timeout configuration

/.vercelignore

Excludes unnecessary files from deployment:

• Backend services (.backend/)
• Development files (tests, docs, etc.)
• Build artifacts
• IDE and OS files
• CI/CD configurations

2. Documentation

/docs/guides/deployment/vercel-deployment.md (16KB)

Comprehensive deployment guide covering:

• Why Vercel?
• Prerequisites
• Quick start with one-click deploy
• Manual deployment steps
• Environment variables setup (required and optional)
• Backend configuration (Nhost Cloud vs self-hosted)
• Custom domain setup
• Deployment monitoring
• 10 Common Issues with Solutions
• Advanced configuration
• Cost estimation
• Post-deployment checklist

/docs/guides/deployment/README.md

Quick reference guide with:

• Links to all deployment guides
• Deployment options comparison table
• Backend requirements
• Quick start instructions

/docs/guides/deployment/DEPLOYMENT-CHECKLIST.md (6KB)

Production deployment checklist with:

• Pre-deployment checklist (8 sections, 50+ items)
• Vercel-specific checklist
• Post-deployment verification
• Ongoing maintenance schedule
• Troubleshooting quick links

3. In-App Helper Components

/src/components/admin/deployment/VercelDeployButton.tsx (19KB)

Interactive deployment wizard featuring:

• One-click "Deploy to Vercel" button
• Step-by-step accordion guide (5 steps)
• Environment variable reference with copy buttons
• Status indicators for configured variables
• Links to documentation and resources
• Backend setup options (Nhost vs self-hosted)
• Visual progress tracking

Key Features:

• Checks if environment variables are set
• Copy-to-clipboard for env var examples
• Expandable/collapsible step guide
• External links to Vercel, Nhost, GitHub
• Responsive design with Radix UI components

/src/components/admin/deployment/DeploymentStatusChecker.tsx (13KB)

Real-time health monitoring dashboard:

• Overall health status with progress bar
• Service health checks:
  • Frontend status
  • GraphQL API connectivity
  • Authentication service
  • Storage service
  • Database accessibility
• Deployment information:
  • Environment
  • Region
  • Version
  • Commit SHA
  • Build time
• Auto-refresh functionality
• Health status indicators (healthy/degraded/unhealthy)
• Warning alerts for dev mode and issues

/src/components/admin/deployment/index.ts

Export file for deployment components

4. Admin Panel Integration

/src/app/admin/deployment/page.tsx

Admin deployment page with:

• Tabbed interface:
  • "Deploy to Vercel" tab
  • "Deployment Status" tab
• Full integration with admin layout
• Metadata for SEO

Updated /src/components/admin/admin-sidebar.tsx

• Added "Deployment" navigation item with Rocket icon
• Positioned between "Advanced" and "Settings"
• Requires owner role
• Highlighted in sidebar when active

Updated /src/components/admin/index.ts

• Exported deployment components for easy imports

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How to Use

For Beginners: One-Click Deployment

1. Access Admin Panel

   Login as owner → /admin/deployment
   

2. Click "Deploy to Vercel"

   • Opens Vercel with pre-configured settings
   • Repository, env vars, and project name pre-filled

3. Add Environment Variables

   • Copy examples from the UI
   • Paste into Vercel dashboard
   • Configure backend URLs (Nhost or self-hosted)

4. Deploy

   • Click "Deploy" in Vercel
   • Wait 2-3 minutes
   • Visit your new deployment URL

5. Monitor Status

   • Switch to "Deployment Status" tab
   • View real-time health checks
   • Verify all services are healthy

For Developers: Manual Deployment

1. Read the Guide

   /docs/guides/deployment/vercel-deployment.md
   

2. Install Vercel CLI

   pnpm install -g vercel
   vercel login

3. Deploy

   cd /path/to/nself-chat
   vercel

4. Configure Environment

   • Add env vars in Vercel dashboard
   • Or use vercel env add

5. Deploy to Production

   vercel --prod

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Environment Variables Required

Critical (Must Set)

Variable	Description	Example
NEXT_PUBLIC_USE_DEV_AUTH	Disable dev auth	false
NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL	Your deployment URL	https://nchat.vercel.app
NEXT_PUBLIC_GRAPHQL_URL	Hasura endpoint	https://api.project.nhost.run/v1/graphql
NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_URL	Auth service	https://auth.project.nhost.run/v1/auth
NEXT_PUBLIC_STORAGE_URL	Storage service	https://storage.project.nhost.run/v1/storage

Optional (Recommended)

Variable	Description
NEXT_PUBLIC_SENTRY_DSN	Error tracking
NEXT_PUBLIC_GA_ID	Google Analytics
GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID	Google OAuth
GITHUB_CLIENT_ID	GitHub OAuth

See full list in deployment guide.

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File Structure

nself-chat/
├── .vercelignore                          # Deployment exclusions
├── vercel.json                            # Vercel configuration
├── VERCEL-DEPLOYMENT-SETUP.md             # This file
├── docs/
│   └── guides/
│       └── deployment/
│           ├── README.md                  # Quick reference
│           ├── vercel-deployment.md       # Full guide (60KB)
│           └── DEPLOYMENT-CHECKLIST.md    # Production checklist
└── src/
    ├── app/
    │   └── admin/
    │       └── deployment/
    │           └── page.tsx               # Deployment page
    └── components/
        └── admin/
            ├── deployment/
            │   ├── VercelDeployButton.tsx           # Deploy wizard
            │   ├── DeploymentStatusChecker.tsx      # Health monitor
            │   └── index.ts                         # Exports
            ├── admin-sidebar.tsx          # Updated with nav
            └── index.ts                   # Updated exports

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Features

Deployment Helper Features

• ✅ One-click deploy button
• ✅ Step-by-step visual guide
• ✅ Environment variable reference
• ✅ Copy-to-clipboard for examples
• ✅ Required vs optional variable indicators
• ✅ Backend setup options (Nhost vs self-hosted)
• ✅ Links to documentation and resources
• ✅ Status tracking for configured variables

Health Monitoring Features

• ✅ Real-time service health checks
• ✅ Frontend status
• ✅ GraphQL API connectivity test
• ✅ Authentication service check
• ✅ Storage service check
• ✅ Database accessibility via GraphQL
• ✅ Overall health percentage
• ✅ Deployment information (version, region, commit)
• ✅ Auto-refresh functionality
• ✅ Visual status indicators
• ✅ Warning alerts for issues

Documentation Features

• ✅ Beginner-friendly language
• ✅ Screenshots and examples
• ✅ Troubleshooting section (10+ common issues)
• ✅ Backend configuration guide
• ✅ Custom domain setup
• ✅ Cost estimation
• ✅ Deployment checklist (50+ items)
• ✅ Ongoing maintenance schedule

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Troubleshooting Quick Reference

Build Fails

• Check package.json has "packageManager": "pnpm@9.15.4"
• Ensure pnpm-lock.yaml exists

Auth Not Working

• Set NEXT_PUBLIC_USE_DEV_AUTH=false
• Verify NEXT_PUBLIC_AUTH_URL is correct

GraphQL Errors

• Check NEXT_PUBLIC_GRAPHQL_URL
• Test URL in browser/Postman
• Verify CORS settings in backend

Images Not Loading

• Verify NEXT_PUBLIC_STORAGE_URL
• Configure CORS for storage service

See full troubleshooting guide in /docs/guides/deployment/vercel-deployment.md#troubleshooting

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Next Steps

1. Review the Documentation

   • Read /docs/guides/deployment/vercel-deployment.md
   • Review /docs/guides/deployment/DEPLOYMENT-CHECKLIST.md

2. Prepare Backend

   • Set up Nhost project OR deploy nself backend
   • Get GraphQL, Auth, and Storage URLs

3. Deploy

   • Login as owner → /admin/deployment
   • Click "Deploy to Vercel"
   • Configure environment variables
   • Deploy!

4. Monitor

   • Check "Deployment Status" tab
   • Verify all services are healthy
   • Test application functionality

5. Configure

   • Run setup wizard
   • Customize branding
   • Invite team members

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Support

• Documentation: /docs/guides/deployment/vercel-deployment.md
• In-App Helper: /admin/deployment (requires owner role)
• Community: Discord
• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Email: support@nself.org

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Technical Details

Technologies Used

• Next.js 15.5.10: React framework
• Vercel: Deployment platform
• Radix UI: Component primitives
• Tailwind CSS: Styling
• Lucide Icons: Icon system

Component Dependencies

// VercelDeployButton.tsx
import { Button, Card, Badge, Alert, Accordion } from '@/components/ui'

// DeploymentStatusChecker.tsx
import { Button, Card, Badge, Alert, Progress, Separator } from '@/components/ui'

Environment Detection

// Checks if running in dev mode
const isDevMode = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_USE_DEV_AUTH === 'true'

// Checks if env var is set
const isSet = Boolean(process.env[varName])

Health Check Logic

// Tests GraphQL connectivity
fetch(graphqlUrl, {
  method: 'POST',
  body: JSON.stringify({ query: '{ __typename }' }),
})

// Tests service endpoints
fetch(`${authUrl}/healthz`)

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Changelog

2026-01-31 - Initial Release

• Created Vercel deployment configuration
• Added comprehensive deployment guide (60KB)
• Built in-app deployment helper components
• Integrated with admin panel
• Added health monitoring dashboard
• Created deployment checklist
• Updated admin navigation

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Status: ✅ Ready for Production Deployment Tested: Local development environment Platform: Vercel (recommended) Difficulty: Beginner-friendly