- Next.js projects get Netlify's OpenNext adapter automatically — no config needed.
Netlify doesn't run always-on servers. If your project has a long-running backend (websockets, bots, background jobs), use Railway or Render for that part.
Step by step
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Check your project type
- Static / SPA (Vite, Astro, plain HTML): Build produces a folder of HTML/JS/CSS (dist/, build/, out/).
- Next.js / SSR framework: next.config.* or a server adapter.
- Long-running server (Express, FastAPI, bots, websockets): A start command like node server.js or uvicorn that must keep running.
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Get the code onto GitHub
- Create a GitHub repo and push (Cursor's Source Control panel or git in the terminal).
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Create the project on Netlify
In Netlify choose Add new project → Import an existing project, connect GitHub and pick your repository. Netlify detects Vite and fills in the build settings.
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Check the build settings
For Vite: build command
npm run build, publish directorydist. The publish directory is relative to the base directory.For Cursor: build command
Whatever package.json says (usually npm run build), output Depends on framework. -
Add environment variables before the first build
In Netlify: Project configuration → Environment variables (add them before the first build). Copy these from Cursor:
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Everything in your local .env — never commit it; add each value in the host dashboard.
Changed a value later? Rebuild. Vite bakes variables in at build time. Troubleshoot missing env vars
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Make page refreshes work (Vite / React Router single-page apps)
public/_redirects (ends up in dist/_redirects) /* /index.html 200Server-rendered projects (TanStack Start, Next.js) don't need this. Netlify docs (opens in a new tab)
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Update login redirect URLs
Add your new Netlify URL (and later your custom domain) to your auth provider's allowed URLs. Redirect troubleshooting
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Add your domain
Project → Domain management → Add a domain, then follow the DNS instructions (or delegate your domain to Netlify DNS). HTTPS is automatic.
What it will cost
Free tier Free: $0 forever — 300 credits/month. Paid from $9/mo: Personal: $9/month, 1,000 credits. Pro: $20/month, 3,000 credits, unlimited members. Checked 17 Oct 2026 on Netlify's pricing page (opens in a new tab).
- Every production deploy costs credits, so frequent auto-deploys from an AI builder eat into the free 300.