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Core System 3 of 3 — A 6-step system to deploy your app with a real URL, real hosting, and (if needed) a real database

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What This Does

You built an app. It works on your computer. Now it needs to work on the internet — with a real URL, real hosting, and (if needed) a real database. Ship It takes you from “it works locally” to “here’s the link” in 6 progressive steps.

Without Ship It

  • App lives on your laptop forever
  • “I built something” with nothing to show
  • Deployment feels like black magic
  • No idea where to start with hosting

With Ship It

  • App has a live URL anyone can visit
  • “Here’s the link” — proof of work
  • 6 clear steps, each under 15 minutes
  • Free hosting on GitHub Pages or Vercel

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The 6 Steps

Each step is a standalone guide. Do them in order. Stop at the step that matches your complexity level.

Step 1: Local Testing

Time: 15 minTest your app on your computer before deploying

Step 2: GitHub Push

Time: 15 minUpload your code to GitHub (free cloud storage for code)

Step 3: Vercel Deploy

Time: 10 minDeploy to Vercel — your app gets a live URL

Step 4: Custom Domain

Time: 20 minConnect a custom domain (yourapp.com)

Step 5: Database Connect

Time: 30 minConnect Supabase for user accounts and persistent data

Step 6: Launch Checklist

Time: 20 minFinal QA, security check, and launch
Total time (all 6 steps): Under 2 hours

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Which Steps Do I Need?

Not every app needs all 6 steps. Here’s your path by complexity level:

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Beginner (Single HTML File)

1

Step 1: Local Testing

2

Step 2: GitHub Push

→ Deploy via GitHub Pages (covered in Step 2)
DONE — You have a live URL
Skip Steps 3-6. GitHub Pages handles hosting for free. No domain or database needed.

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What You Need Before Starting

GitHub

Cost: FreeSign Up: github.comStores your code in the cloud

Vercel

Cost: Free (hobby tier)Sign Up: vercel.comHosts your app with fast global CDN

Supabase

Cost: Free (starter tier)Sign Up: supabase.comBackend database and authentication

Custom Domain

Cost: $10-15/year (optional)Providers: Namecheap, Porkbun, CloudflareYour own yourapp.com address
All core tools are free. A custom domain is the only optional cost.

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How Deployment Works (The Big Picture)

Translation:
  1. You write code on your laptop
  2. GitHub stores a copy of your code in the cloud
  3. Vercel reads your GitHub code and turns it into a live website
  4. (Optional) You point a custom domain at your Vercel site
  5. (Advanced) Supabase handles user accounts and stores data
  6. You run through the launch checklist to make sure everything is solid

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Step-by-Step Guides

Each step has its own detailed guide with:

Screenshots

Visual walkthrough of every click

Common Errors

Exact error messages and how to fix them

Verification

How to confirm it worked

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Common Questions

No. Always test locally first (Step 1) and push to GitHub (Step 2) before deploying. Skipping steps creates bugs you can’t debug.
Beginner apps (single HTML files) work great on GitHub Pages. Once you have multi-file projects or need server-side features, switch to Vercel.
Yes. The hobby tier is free for personal projects. It includes custom domains, HTTPS, and automatic deployments from GitHub. You only pay if you exceed generous usage limits (most apps never will).
Every step guide includes a “Common Errors” section with the exact error messages you’ll see and how to fix them. If you’re still stuck, post the error in the Vibe Coding Help channel.
Yes. The process is nearly identical. These guides use Vercel because it has the smoothest GitHub integration and best free tier for our use case.

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Deployment Checklist

Before you hit “Deploy”, verify:

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Where This Fits

Blueprint Builder

Generate your app plan

Brand Your App

Design direction and colors

Live Classes

Ship It Friday sessions

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Next Steps

Start with Step 1

Test your app locally before deploying

Join Ship It Friday

Deploy live with the community every Friday

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

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