How to deploy mern app on GCP

[Vikramjeet11]

How to deploy a MERN app on Google Cloud with a custom domain and Which is best way to deploy App Engine or cloud run I have already created account GCP

[learn2skills]

Hello @Vikramjeet11 

MERN stack deployment involves deploying a MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js application to a cloud platform. This typically involves setting up a server, configuring databases, and managing the application's lifecycle.

Deploying a MERN (MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js) app on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with a custom domain involves several steps. Below is a systematic guide to help you through the process, including considerations for using App Engine or Cloud Run.

Step 1: Prepare Your MERN App

• Ensure your MERN app is ready for deployment. This includes having a package.json file for Node.js dependencies and a build version of your React app.

Step 2: Set Up Google Cloud Project

• Log in to your GCP account.
• Create a new project or select an existing one.
• Enable the necessary APIs: Cloud Build, Cloud Run, and App Engine.

Step 3: Choose Deployment Method

• App Engine: Best for apps that need automatic scaling and are relatively simple to deploy.
• Cloud Run: Ideal for containerized applications and offers more flexibility and control over the environment.

Step 4: Containerize Your Application (for Cloud Run)

• Create a Dockerfile in your project root:

  # Use Node.js base image
  FROM node:14
  
  # Set working directory
  WORKDIR /app
  
  # Copy package.json and install dependencies
  COPY package*.json ./
  RUN npm install
  
  # Copy the rest of the application code
  COPY . .
  
  # Build the React app
  RUN npm run build
  
  # Start the server
  CMD ["npm", "start"]
  

• Build the Docker image:

  docker build -t gcr.io/[PROJECT-ID]/mern-app .

Step 5: Deploy to Cloud Run

• Push the Docker image to Google Container Registry:

  docker push gcr.io/[PROJECT-ID]/mern-app

• Deploy the image to Cloud Run:

  gcloud run deploy mern-app --image gcr.io/[PROJECT-ID]/mern-app --platform managed --region [REGION]

Step 6: Deploy to App Engine (Alternative)

• Create an app.yaml file in your project root:

  runtime: nodejs14
  env: standard
  

• Deploy the app:

  gcloud app deploy

Step 7: Set Up Custom Domain

• Go to the GCP Console and navigate to "App Engine" or "Cloud Run" settings.
• Under "Custom Domains", add your domain and verify ownership.
• Update your domain's DNS settings to point to the provided IP addresses.

Step 8: Configure Environment Variables

• Use the GCP Console to set environment variables needed by your app, such as database URIs.

Final Answer

• Best Deployment Method: Use Cloud Run for more flexibility and control, especially if you need to run containerized applications. Use App Engine for simpler, auto-scaling deployments.
• Custom Domain: Set up through GCP Console and update DNS settings.

[Vikramjeet11]

what is the process for creating virtual instance and if don't have github repo is there any other option to push code and I have separate folder for react and node in same project so I have to create a individual yml file for that or not neccesssary

[knet]

What a great writeup, learn2skills!

One thing I'd add: As a product manager on the Serverless team which ships both Cloud Run and App Engine, I'd recommend going with Cloud Run rather than App Engine unless you have a strong reason to choose App Engine. Cloud Run is a much newer product with better portability and interoperability, so it's a better choice for a new application. And you can delpoy from source:

gcloud run deploy SERVICE --source .

Cloud Run works with Cloud Build in the background to build your image, so you never have to touch a container if you don't want to.