Deploying a Node.js project to Azure App Services using Azure DevOps pipelines

Deploying a Node.js project to Azure App Services using Azure DevOps pipelines is a robust way to automate deployment processes and integrate continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) practices into your workflow. This guide will walk you through the setup of an Azure DevOps pipeline to deploy a Node.js application from GitHub or Azure Repos to Azure App Services.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• An Azure account. You can sign up for a free account here.
• A GitHub or Azure Repos account with your Node.js project.
• An Azure DevOps account. Create one here if you don't have it.

Step 1: Prepare Your Node.js Application

Make sure your Node.js application is ready and includes a package.json file in the root. This file is crucial as it contains dependency information and scripts needed for your application.

Step 2: Create an Azure Web App

1. Log into Azure Portal: Visit https://portal.azure.com.
2. Create a Web App:
   • Click on "Create a resource".
   • Search for and select "Web App".
   • Click "Create".
   • Enter the details for:
     • Subscription and Resource Group
     • Web App Name
     • Publish: Code
     • Runtime stack: Select the appropriate Node.js version
     • Region
   • Click "Review and Create" and then "Create".

Step 3: Set Up Azure DevOps Project

1. Create a New Project in Azure DevOps:
• Log into your Azure DevOps account at https://dev.azure.com/.
• Click "New project", enter a name, description, and visibility. Then, click "Create".

Step 4: Configure CI/CD Pipeline

1. Connect Repository:

   • In your Azure DevOps project, go to "Pipelines" > "Pipelines" and click "Create Pipeline".
   • Connect to GitHub or Azure Repos and select your repository.

2. Configure Pipeline:

   • Azure DevOps may suggest a pipeline configuration based on your project. For Node.js, you might start with a simple YAML pipeline. Modify it according to your needs.

3. Sample YAML Configuration:

   yaml
   trigger:
     branches:
       include:
       - main
   
   pool:
     vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
   
   steps:
   - task: NodeTool@0
     inputs:
       versionSpec: '14.x'
     displayName: 'Install Node.js'
   
   - script: |
       npm install
       npm build
     displayName: 'npm install and build'
   
   - task: AzureWebApp@1
     inputs:
       azureSubscription: '<Azure_Service_Connection>'
       appType: 'webAppLinux'
       appName: '<Your_App_Name>'
       runtimeStack: 'NODE|14-lts'
       startUpCommand: 'npm start'
       package: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'

   • Replace <Azure_Service_Connection> with your Azure service connection name.
   • Replace <Your_App_Name> with the name of the Azure Web App.

4. Save and Run Pipeline:

   • Save the YAML file and run the pipeline.
   • Azure DevOps will execute the CI/CD pipeline, which builds your application and deploys it to Azure App Services.

Step 5: Verify Deployment

After the pipeline execution finishes:

• Go to the Azure portal.
• Open your App Service and click on the URL to see your deployed application.

Step 6: Monitor and Maintain

Set up monitoring with Azure Monitor and regularly update your pipeline configuration to meet new requirements or dependencies.

Conclusion

Setting up a CI/CD pipeline with Azure DevOps for a Node.js application automates your deployment process, enhances productivity, and ensures your application is always deployed with the latest updates in a stable manner. This setup not only supports a more streamlined workflow but also integrates well with other Azure services for monitoring, scaling, and managing your application in production.