Deploy from a ZIP
Upload your project as a ZIP archive, check it is ready, and deploy it.
For code that is not in a GitHub repository, upload it as a ZIP. The rest is the same: check it is ready, then deploy.
Before you start
Your project needs a Dockerfile in its root and a server that listens on the port the platform provides — see what runs here. Zip the project without node_modules, .git or build output. The archive limit is 100 MB.
Steps
Start a new app
In the dashboard, open New app. Under import source, choose the ZIP upload tab.
Upload the archive
Drag a ZIP onto Drag & drop a ZIP file or click to browse, or click to pick one. When it finishes you see Ready with the file name.
Name it and pick a subdomain
Give the app a name and, optionally, a Subdomain. Leave it blank for a generated one. This is the app's live address.
Answer the "is this already live?" question
Before the first deploy the platform asks whether this app is already running somewhere, with real users or data. For a new app, answer No, it's new. If it is already live, read database migrations first.
Run the readiness scan
Run scan to verify the archive can build and run. On Action required, fix the issues — edit your project and Re-upload ZIP, or apply the fix prompt with your coding agent — then re-scan. See readiness and fixes.
Deploy
Press DEPLOY. When the pipeline finishes you see Your app is live with the URL.
Updating a ZIP app later
A ZIP app has no branch, so a plain deploy re-ships the archive the platform already holds. To ship new code, use Re-upload & Deploy: it replaces the source and deploys in one step.
What can go wrong
- "File exceeds the 100 MB limit." — Trim the archive. Exclude
node_modules,.gitand build output; the platform rebuilds dependencies for you. - "The uploaded file is not a valid ZIP archive." — Re-create the archive as a real ZIP and upload again.
- "Import expired or not found. Upload the ZIP again." — An upload link is short-lived. Re-upload.
- "This app isn't ZIP-based — update its repository instead." — This app was created from GitHub. Push to its branch instead of uploading a ZIP.
- "Run a readiness scan before deploying" / "Fix scan findings before deploying" — Run or clear the readiness scan first.
Every deploy-path error, with its fix, is on the troubleshooting page.