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Deploy Next.js Starter Template on Vercel

In this document, you’ll learn how to deploy the Next.js Starter Template on Vercel.

Prerequisites​

Medusa Components​

It is assumed you already have installed the Next.js Starter Template locally. If not, please follow along with this guide instead.

It’s also assumed you already have the Medusa backend deployed, which the Next.js Starter Template interacts with. If not, you can check out one of the deployment documentation related to the Medusa backend.

Storefront Preparations​

If you're not using the Serverless Modules in your storefront, either delete the src/app/api directory or exclude it in .gitignore. Otherwise, the deployment will fail.

Required Accounts​

Note

If you want to use another Git Provider, it’s possible to follow along with this guide, but you’ll have to perform the equivalent steps in your Git Provider.

Required Tools​

  • Git CLI: Only required if you’re deploying through the Vercel website.

Step 1: Create GitHub Repository​

Note

This step is only required if you’re deploying from the Vercel website. However, it’s highly recommended to connect your Vercel project to a Git repository for a better developer experience.

Before you can deploy your Next.js Starter Template, you need to create a GitHub repository and push the code base to it. To do that:

  1. On GitHub, click the plus icon at the top right, then click New Repository.
  2. You’ll then be redirected to a new page with a form. In the form, enter the Repository Name.
  3. Scroll down and click Create repository.

Push Code to GitHub Repository​

The next step is to push the code to the GitHub repository you just created.

After creating the repository, you’ll be redirected to the repository’s page. On that page, you should see a URL that you can copy to connect your repository to a local directory.

Copy the link. Then, open your terminal in the directory that holds your Next.js Starter Template codebase and run the following commands:

git init
git remote add origin <GITHUB_URL>

Where <GITHUB_URL> is the URL you just copied.

Then, add, commit, and push the changes into the repository:

git add .
git commit -m "initial commit"
git push origin master

After pushing the changes, you can find the files in your GitHub repository.

Step 2: Deploy to Vercel​

This section covers how to deploy the storefront, either using the Vercel website or using Vercel’s CLI tool.

Option 1: Using the Vercel Website​

This section explains how to deploy the storefront using the Vercel website:

  1. Open the Vercel dashboard after logging in.
  2. Click on the “Add New…” button next to the search bar.
  3. Choose Project from the dropdown.
  4. In the new page that opens, find the Git repository that holds your Next.js Starter Template and click on the Import button. If you haven’t connected your Vercel account to any Git provider, you must do that first.
  5. In the Configure Project form:
    1. Open the Environment Variables collapsible, and add the following environment variables:
    • NEXT_PUBLIC_MEDUSA_BACKEND_URL: the URL to your deployed Medusa Backend.
    • NEXT_PUBLIC_BASE_URL: The URL of your storefront. If you don't have a domain ready yet, you can add it later. However, you may face some errors in your storefront.
    • REVALIDATE_SECRET: A secret used for revalidating data. Learn more in the Next.js documentation.
    • If you're using Serverless modules, set the POSTGRES_URL environment variable to the connection URL of your PostgreSQL database, and set the MEDUSA_FF_MEDUSA_V2=true variable.
    • You can set any other environment variables you're using at this step or later.
    1. You can optionally edit the Project Name.
  6. Once you’re done, click on the “Deploy” button.

This will start the deployment of the storefront. Once it’s done, you’ll be redirected to the main dashboard of your new project.

Note

At this point, when you visit the storefront, you will face errors related to Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) while using the storefront. Before you start using the storefront, follow along the Configure CORS on the Medusa Backend section.

Option 2: Using Vercel’s CLI Tool​

This section explains how to deploy the storefront using the Vercel CLI tool. You should have the CLI tool installed first, as explained in Vercel’s documentation.

In the directory holding your storefront, run the following command to deploy your storefront:

vercel --build-env NEXT_PUBLIC_MEDUSA_BACKEND_URL=<YOUR_BACKEND_URL>
vercel --build-env NEXT_PUBLIC_BASE_URL=<YOUR_BASE_URL>
vercel --build-env REVALIDATE_SECRET=<YOUR_REVALIDATION_SECRET>

Where:

  • <YOUR_BACKEND_URL>: the URL of your deployed Medusa backend.
  • <YOUR_BASE_URL>: The URL of your storefront. If you don't have a domain ready yet, you can add it later. However, you may face some errors in your storefront.
  • <YOUR_REVALIDATION_SECRET>: A secret used for revalidating data. Learn more in the Next.js documentation.

In addition:

  • If you're using Serverless modules, set the POSTGRES_URL environment variable to the connection URL of your PostgreSQL database, and set the MEDUSA_FF_MEDUSA_V2=true variable.
  • You can set any other environment variables you're using at this step or later.

You’ll then be asked to log in if you haven’t already, and to choose the scope to deploy your project to. You can also decide to link the storefront to an existing project, or change the project’s name.

When asked In which directory is your code located?, keep the default ./ and just press Enter.

The project setup will then start. When asked if you want to modify the settings, answer N to keep the default settings.

It will take a couple of minutes for the deployment to finish. The link to the storefront will be shown in the final output of the command.

Note

At this point, when you visit the storefront, you will face errors related to Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) while using the storefront. Before you start using the storefront, follow along the Configure CORS on the Medusa Backend section.

Step 3: Configure CORS on the Medusa Backend​

To send requests to the Medusa backend from the Next.js Starter Template, you must set the STORE_CORS environment variable on your backend to the Next.js Starter Template’s URL.

Tip

If you want to set a custom domain to your Next.js Starter Template website on Vercel, make sure to do it before this step. You can refer to this guide on Vercel’s documentation.

On your Medusa backend, add the following environment variable:

STORE_CORS=<STOREFRONT_URL>

Where <STOREFRONT_URL> is the URL of your Next.js Starter Template that you just deployed.

Then, restart your Medusa backend. Once the backend is running again, you can use your Next.js Starter Template.

Troubleshooting​

CORS Error
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