This step-by-step tutorial will teach you how to create and deploy a new Rails app on a remote server using Dokku.
Whether you're a developer looking to test your app or just curious about Dokku's capabilities, this tutorial will guide you through the process.
We'll cover everything from setting up the app locally, configuring the remote environment, and resolving potential deployment errors.
By the end, you'll have a fully deployed app accessible via the server's IP address.
What is Dokku?
Dokku is a simple, open-source Platform as a Service (PaaS) that allows you to deploy and manage applications quickly on a remote server. It is often called a "mini-Heroku" because it provides a similar experience to Heroku but can be self-hosted on your infrastructure.
With Dokku, you can deploy applications using a simple Git push command. It automatically builds and deploys your code to the remote server. It supports multiple programming languages and frameworks, including Ruby on Rails, Python, Node.js, and more.
Dokku also provides a web-based dashboard for managing your applications, scaling them up or down, and monitoring their resources. It integrates with popular tools like Let's Encrypt for SSL certificates and databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL.
Overall, Dokku simplifies deploying and managing applications on a remote server, making it a convenient choice for developers and small teams who want a lightweight and self-hosted PaaS solution.
📕 Read the full tutorial
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Timestamps:
00:09 - What is Dokku, and why use it
02:10 - Create a sample Rails app
04:13 - Generate a Post scaffold for testing purposes in production
04:44 - Update routing
04:51 - First gotcha - Rename default Dockerfile
05:27 - Commit changes with git
05:50 - Configuring SSH keys
06:37 - Using the predefined Dokku Digital Ocean droplet & configuration
08:34 - A quick tour of the installed digital ocean droplet
08:52 - SSH into the server from the command line
09:59 - Create a dokku app on the server
10:32 - Add PostgreSQL dokku plugin
12:02 - Link new PostgreSQL database back to dokku app
13:30 - Quick preview of other dokku plugins
14:17 - Change database type on the Rails app to Postgresql
15:51- Update database.yml file in Rails app
17:21 - Configure new git remote to push to digital ocean/dokku
18:00 - Push first changes to the new origin
18:59 - Add Procfile for production use
19:30 - Gotcha 2 - I forgot to commit previous git changes 🙃
20:05 - Previewing the app in production
20:33 - Gotcha 3 - Set config.force_ssl to false
21:23 - Gotcha 4 - Weird ass hack to remove enabled-sites default on server
23:08 - Restart dokku app
23:44 - Displaying your app's logs for troubleshooting errors
24:06 - Add release line to Procfile to properly migrate database during each deployment
25:00 - Closing thoughts
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👋 I'm Andy Leverenz, a passionate product designer and developer. I love creating and sharing my knowledge through design, coding, and writing. Join me on my journey by checking out my blog, Web-Crunch (webcrunch.com), where I publish tutorials, articles, and the occasional vlog about design and development.
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