Build a Web App with Replit and Deploy with DeployHQ
This guide will walk you through creating a simple web app using Replit's AI Agent and then deploying it to a live server using DeployHQ.
Step 1: Set Up Your Replit Account
First, go to Replit and sign in or create a new account. Replit is a powerful platform that lets you code and run applications directly from your browser. For this guide, we'll use the Replit Agent, an AI tool that helps you build apps quickly.
Step 2: Start Building with Replit Agent
Once you are logged in, open a new project. In the Replit dashboard, you'll see a prompt box where you can interact with the Replit Agent. For instance, you could type: “Build me a static calculator app in HTML and JS.” The Replit AI will take care of the rest. You can make your request more specific by adding details to get a better result. You can also click "Improve prompt" to have the AI expand on your simple idea, which can be very helpful.
Step 3: Let the Replit Agent Think
After you hit “Start Building,” the Replit Agent will begin to think about how to create your app. It will plan the best approach before writing any code. You'll then see the app's code come together automatically. The agent is designed to catch and fix bugs on its own, ensuring a smooth build process.
Step 4: Generate the Build Files
After your app is ready, you'll need to prepare it for production. In the Replit IDE, find the Shell terminal and run the build command. For most JavaScript projects, this is npm run build
. This command will generate a folder (usually named dist
or build
) containing all the necessary files for a live site.
Before deploying with DeployHQ, you must first connect your Replit project to a Git repository. In Replit, you can find the Version Control tab (it looks like a Git icon) on the left-hand side. Initialize a Git repository, commit your files, and push them to a service like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. DeployHQ will deploy from this repository, not directly from Replit.
Step 5: Publish Your App with DeployHQ
Now, instead of using a service like Tiiny.host, you will use DeployHQ to get your app live. DeployHQ is a deployment automation service that works with your Git repository.
Create a DeployHQ Project: Go to the DeployHQ website and sign up for an account. Once logged in, click New Project.
Connect to Your Git Repository: DeployHQ will prompt you to connect to your Git provider (e.g., GitHub). Give DeployHQ permission to access your repository and select the project you just pushed from Replit.
Set Up Your Deployment Server: In your project, navigate to Servers & Groups and click New Server. Choose your connection method (e.g., FTP, SFTP, or SSH) and enter the necessary credentials for your hosting server. You will also specify the deployment path, which is the directory on your server where the files will be uploaded (e.g.,
/public_html
).Initiate the Deployment: Go to the Deployments tab and click New Deployment. Select the branch you want to deploy from (e.g.,
main
ormaster
) and the server you just configured. DeployHQ will automatically compare your repository with the last deployment and transfer only the changed files. You can also configure build pipelines to run commands likenpm run build
on DeployHQ's servers before the files are uploaded.
Step 6: Monitor Your App
DeployHQ provides a comprehensive dashboard to monitor the status of your deployments. You can see the logs of each deployment, check for any errors, and even roll back to a previous version if something goes wrong. This gives you much more control and insight into your app's lifecycle compared to a simple drag-and-drop service.