Deploying a Next.js Boilerplate Templates

This guide walks you through deploying a Next.js boilerplate template to Vercel, a platform optimized for Next.js applications. Vercel offers a seamless deployment process with automatic scaling, domain management, and a free tier for small projects.

Prerequisites

• A Next.js boilerplate template (e.g., downloaded from your account or a GitHub repository).
• A Vercel account (free tier is sufficient).
• Git installed on your machine.
• A GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account to host your repository.

Step 1: Set Up Your Next.js App

1. Clone or Download the Boilerplate
   Download and unzip the boilerplate from your Next.js Templates Account.

or If your boilerplate is on GitHub, clone it:

git clone <repository-url>
cd <project-folder>

2. Install Dependencies
   Navigate to the project folder and install dependencies:

   npm install

   Or, if using Yarn:

   yarn install

3. Run Locally to Test
   Start the development server to ensure the boilerplate works:

   npm run dev

   Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser to verify the app loads correctly.

   

Step 2: Deploy to Vercel

1. Sign In to Vercel:

   • Visit vercel.com and sign up or log in using GitHub, GitLab, or email.
   • Complete the onboarding if prompted.

2. Import Your Repository:

   • From the Vercel dashboard, click “New Project.”
   • Under “Import Git Repository,” select your provider (e.g., GitHub) and authorize Vercel if needed.
   • Choose the nextjs-boilerplate repository and click “Import.”

3. Configure Project Settings:

   • Framework Preset: Vercel should auto-detect “Next.js.” If not, select it manually.
   • Root Directory: Leave as default (./) unless your boilerplate uses a custom structure.
   • Build Settings: Vercel uses defaults (npm run build for build, npm run start for production). Most boilerplates don’t need changes.
   • Environment Variables: If your boilerplate requires variables (e.g., API keys for Stripe or Sanity), add them under “Environment Variables.” For now, skip if none are needed.
   • Click “Deploy.”

4. Wait for Deployment:

   • Vercel will install dependencies, build the Next.js app, and deploy it. This takes 1–3 minutes.
   • Once complete, you’ll see a success message with a live URL (e.g., https://nextjs-boilerplate-abc123.vercel.app).

Step 3: Verify and Customize Your Deployment

1. Visit Your Live Site:

   • Click the live URL provided by Vercel to view your deployed boilerplate.
   • Test features like navigation, forms, or dynamic content (if included in the boilerplate).

2. Set Up a Custom Domain (Optional):

   • In the Vercel dashboard, go to your project, then the “Domains” tab.

3. Update the Boilerplate:

   • Make changes locally (e.g., customize Tailwind CSS or add pages).
   • Push updates to GitHub:

     git add .
     git commit -m "Updated styles"
     git push origin main
   • Vercel auto-deploys the changes within minutes.

   

Troubleshooting Tips

• Build Errors: Check Vercel’s deployment logs for issues like missing dependencies or incorrect Node.js versions. Most boilerplates specify the required version in package.json.
• Environment Variables: If features (e.g., authentication) fail, ensure all required variables are added in Vercel’s settings.
• Stuck Deployment: Restart the deployment from the Vercel dashboard or verify your Git repository is up-to-date.
• Support: Visit vercel.com/help or your boilerplate’s docs (e.g., nextjstemplates.com/docs) for help.

Congratulations! Your Next.js boilerplate is now live on Vercel. 🚀