Node.js is a powerful runtime that enables fast, scalable and modern web applications. 

With xCloud, you can easily setup Node.js on the DigitalOcean server in xCloud. 

xCloud makes hosting and managing Node.js sites easy, so you can focus on building great websites.This guide will show you how to set up Node.js on DigitalOcean using xCloud.

How to Setup A DigitalOcean Server in xCloud? #

This guide shows how to set up a DigitalOcean server in xCloud. Follow the steps to quickly launch, configure and start your cloud journey.

Step 1: Sign Up/Login With xCloud #

First, you will need to visit the xCloud website and you have to sign up for xCloud with your credentials.

If you already have an account please visit our login page. 

Now you are ready to set up your server with Digital Ocean in xCloud.

Step 2: Create Your New Digital Ocean Server In xCloud #

After logging in to your xCloud account, start by adding a new server by clicking on the “Add New Server” button from your dashboard.

The next screen will provide the list of our available server providers. For tutorial purposes, we will create a Digital Ocean server and for that select the Digital Ocean option. The billing of the server will be handled on your Digital Ocean account.

Note: Don’t have a DigitalOcean account? Check out the documentation below to find out how to provision a server with any providers:

• How To Setup First Server With Vultr?
• How To Setup Your First Server With Google Cloud Platform Provider?
• How To Setup a Server With Other Providers?

We’ve made it easier and safer for you to connect xCloud with your DigitalOcean account. You no longer have to go through the hassle of generating and copying access tokens. 

Now, xCloud will guide you through an OAuth flow, where you simply authorize xCloud to use your DigitalOcean account. 

All you have to do is provision a new DigitalOcean server, click “Authorize” during the setup, and you’ll be redirected to DigitalOcean to grant permission to your account. It’s a straightforward and hassle-free process to set up your server with Digital Ocean.

Step 3: Add Necessary Information #

You will be taken to the server creation page after successfully integrating your DO account. Now you need to provide the Server name, your preferred Server Size (CPU, RAM, Storage) and Region nearest to you and your visitors. Only, MySQL 8.0 database server is now available. 

By default Database, the ‘Root’ Password is auto-filed but you can change this and save it in a safe place.

We recommend at least a 2GB/ 1 shared CPU server for 10-20 sites with cache enabled. And for a site whose pages cannot be cached (e.g. WooCommerce site) we recommend a 4 GB / 2 dedicated CPUs server.

We are almost done with our server creation of Digital Ocean in xCloud. After submitting the form this might take up to 12-15 minutes to make the Digital Ocean server live and ready to install a lightning fast WordPress Site.

How to Set Up Node.js on DigitalOcean with xCloud #

xCloud provides an intuitive interface that allows you to easily deploy, manage and scale your Node.js applications directly from your Git repository without worrying about manual setup or infrastructure maintenance.

Follow the guide to deploy your Node.js application easily on DigitalOcean with xCloud:

Step 1: Choose the Application  #

To begin deployment, click on the ‘Add New Site’ button from the dashboard. 

You will then be asked to ‘Choose a Server to add Site’ from the dropdown. You must select the DigitalOcean server you set up in xCloud from this dropdown.

Next, you will see options such as ‘WordPress’ and ‘Custom PHP’. Go to the ‘Node.js’ option from the tab. After that, choose the ‘Choose a Git Repository’ option to import your Node.js application using a Git provider.

Step 2: Set Up Domains  #

The ‘Domains’ tab allows you to configure your site’s domain. You can either create a ‘Demo Site’ or a ‘Live Site’. For this documentation, we’ll proceed with the ‘Demo Site’ option and click ‘Next’ to continue.

Step 3: Configure Node.js Application   #

In the ‘Settings’ tab, you will find options to configure the Node.js version and manage site users. Adjust them according to your preferences.

Next, you will see the ‘Server-Side Rendering App’ option. To proceed with a ‘Client-Side Rendering App’, keep the toggle off. 

To deploy a ‘Server-Side Rendered App’, toggle it on.

Client-Side Rendering (CSR):  #

If your application is built using frameworks like React or Vue that render content in the browser, keep the toggle off. In this mode, the server mainly serves static files and all rendering happens on the client side.

Server-Side Rendering (SSR): #

If your Node.js application (for example, Next.js or Nuxt.js) renders pages on the server before sending them to the client, toggle this option on. This allows xCloud to configure the environment to support SSR processes properly.

Here we are proceeding with deploying a ‘Server Side Rendered App’ option →

Then you’ll need to provide a few essential details:

◽Port: Enter the port number your Node.js application listens on (e.g., 3000 or 8080). xCloud uses this port to connect incoming traffic to your app.

◽Start Command: Specify the command that runs your application (for example, npm start, node server.js, or yarn dev). This tells xCloud how to start your Node.js server after deployment.

◽Web Root Path: If your project’s main application files are located in a subdirectory (for instance, /app or /src), enter that path here. If your app is in the root directory, you can leave this field blank.

Now, insert the ‘Port’ and ‘Start Command’ in the respective fields. You can also specify a ‘Web Root’ Path for your application.

In the following step, you can choose one of the database options ‘No Database’, ‘Add an Existing Database’, ‘Create a New Database’ directly on the server. Once selected, click ‘Next’.

Step 4: Insert Git Repository Credentials  #

In the “Git Repo” tab, you will find three repository options: ‘Private Repository (Manual SSH URL)’, ‘Public Repository (Manual HTTPS URL)’, ‘Connected Git Provider’.

If you choose Public Repository (Manual HTTPS URL), enter your GitHub Repository URL and specify the Git Branch.

Note: Copy the HTTPS URL from your GitHub repository dashboard.

If you choose Private Repository (Manual SSH URL), enter your GitHub Repository SSH URL and specify the Git Branch.

Note: Copy the SSH URL from your GitHub repository dashboard.

In this document, we’ll deploy the project using the “Git Provider” option.

Choose “Connected Git Provider” from the dropdown menu. From the “Select Git Provider” list, choose the connected account you want to use. Then, browse through the repositories, select the one you want to deploy and choose the specific branch of that project.

Step 5: Enable Push-to-Deploy  #

The next step is to enable automated deployment. Toggle on the ‘Enable Push to Deploy’ option. Copy the ‘Deployment URL’ provided here, you will need to insert it into your GitHub repository’s webhook settings.

Step 8: Run Deployment Script  #

Once the repository integration is complete, you can configure post-deployment actions.

In the ‘Deployment Script’ field, enter any custom commands you want to execute after deployment. 

You can also select one of the example scripts provided. After configuring this, click ‘Next’ to continue.

Next, you can specify the subdirectory where your .env file should be created in the “.env File Path” field. You can also enter the contents of your .env file in the “File Content” field.

Step 9: Confirm Deployment  #

The final step is to confirm and start the deployment. Click the ‘Start’ button to begin the process. You can monitor the deployment progress in real time.

After deployment, a success message will appear. From there, access your site dashboard and visit your site to confirm your Node.js app is running on DigitalOcean server with xCloud.

Environment Editor for Node.js Application  #

The Environment section in xCloud allows you to customize configuration settings for your n8n instance. Just go to the ‘Environment’ option from the sidebar and adjust as you need then click on the ‘Save’ button.

SSR Configuration for Node.js application  #

If you are deploying an SSR application, you can update the ‘Application Port’, ‘Start Command’ later as well. 

Just go to the ‘SSR Configuration’ from the ‘Node.js’ Menu under the site dashboard and click on the ‘Update Configuration’ button.

Setting up a Node.js application on a DigitalOcean server with xCloud is simple and efficient. After setting up or deployment, you can manage your app, update settings and push changes directly from your Git repository.

Still stuck? Contact our support team for any of your queries.