Welcome to this comprehensive guide on getting your project up and running from scratch! In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step, so you can deploy your project seamlessly. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s dive in!

Getting Started

This section will provide you with the necessary prerequisites needed to start. Make sure you have the following tools installed:

• NPM
• Yarn
• Node.js

Setting Up Your Environment

Before we proceed to installation, you need to configure your server’s environment file (.env). Within this file, you’ll find crucial information that will help your project connect with external services. Remember to use your own API keys for secure access. Here’s what your .env file should look like:

BRAINTREE_MERCHANT_ID=your_id
BRAINTREE_PUBLIC_KEY=your_public_key
BRAINTREE_PRIVATE_KEY=your_private_key

Installing Project Dependencies

To install all the required dependencies for both client and server, follow these straightforward commands:

cd client
npm install
cd server
npm install

Running the App

Once the installations are complete, it’s time to run the application.

1. Open a terminal in your server directory and execute the command:

npm run start:dev

2. In a different terminal, navigate to your client directory and run:

npm run start

3. Access your web app by navigating to http://localhost:3000 in your web browser.

Deploying the Backend Server

To successfully deploy your backend server, you’ll be using Render. Here’s how to do it:

1. First, you must create an account on Render.
2. Connect your GitHub account and provide permissions to your project.
3. Create a new web service and add your repository. Make sure your repository has a folder structure with both frontend and backend directories.
4. For deployments, every change should be made in the render-deploy-backend branch. Avoid altering the .env file from your master branch.

Configuring MongoDB

Since we’re not setting up a database server for your deployment, you will need to modify your database connection to point to MongoDB Atlas. Here’s the breakdown:

• Locate your MongoDB Cloud URL, which typically looks like this:

mongodb+srv:myusername:myclusterpassword@mycluster.mongodb.net/ecommerce?retryWrites=true&w=majority

• Open the render-deploy-backend branch, navigate to the .env file, and replace the DATABASE variable with your MongoDB Cloud URL.
• Ensure you provide the cluster password, not your account password, which you can find in the database access section on MongoDB Atlas.

Setting Up Render Deployment

After modifying the database in your .env file, head back to the Render website, fill in your project details, and remember to change the branch name to render-deploy-backend for deployment.

Deploying Frontend

You may choose to deploy your frontend on platforms like Vercel or Netlify. Follow their respective guides for seamless deployment.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during setup or deployment, here are some common troubleshooting tips:

• Double-check your API keys in the .env file. Make sure they are correct and up to date.
• Ensure that both the client and server applications are running without any errors.
• If you encounter issues with MongoDB, verify your connection string, and ensure you have the correct permissions.
• For issues related to deployment settings, re-check your configurations on Render.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

With these detailed steps, you should be well-equipped to set up and deploy your project without a hitch. Enjoy the smooth sailing of your deployment, and remember, every project is a step closer to enhancing your skills!

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.