Deploy Node.js / Express

Deploy a Node.js / Express app to Aloof in a few minutes. You need the CLI (curl -fsSL https://www.aloof.si/cli/aloof -o aloof && chmod +x aloof) and an account (aloof signup you@example.com, free tier, no card).

1. Generate config

aloof launch detects Node.js / Express from package.json with a start script and writes a Dockerfile (unless you have one), aloof.toml and .dockerignore.

$ aloof launch --name my-express

2. Review aloof.toml

app = "my-express"
primary_region = "eu-de"

[http_service]
  internal_port = 8080
  auto_stop_machines = true
  min_machines_running = 0

[processes]
  web = "npm start"

Aloof sets PORT=8080. With min_machines_running = 0 the app sleeps when idle and you pay per second only while it runs.

3. Database (optional)

$ aloof pg create my-express-db --plan pg-dev
$ aloof pg attach my-express-db my-express     # sets DATABASE_URL over the private network

4. Deploy

$ aloof deploy
live: https://my-express.aloof.si/

The directory is uploaded (respecting .dockerignore) and built remotely. New instances must pass their health check before the old ones stop.

Notes for Node.js / Express