LIGHTCLOUD

Framework · Node.js

Deploy Express on Light Cloud

Express is the minimal web framework for Node.js. Light Cloud detects it from express in the dependencies of package.json. It runs as a container that scales with traffic and down to zero when idle.

Free plan, no card. Google or GitHub sign-in.

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Deploy Express

Express at a glance

Detected from
express in the dependencies of package.json
Runs as
Container that scales with traffic and to zero when idle
Node.js
Node 22, 24 or 26 (default 24), read from .nvmrc, .node-version or engines.node. Static builds run on Node 22.
Start command
Your start script, run with the package manager from the lockfile (npm, yarn or pnpm)
Port
8080

How to deploy Express

  1. 01

    Bring the code

    Pick a repository, upload a folder, or ask Claude Code or GitHub Copilot to put it online.

    github.com/acme/app

  2. 02

    Express, detected

    The files are read and the build is filled in. Every setting can be changed by hand.

  3. 03

    Built into a container

    An image is built and started, listening on the port the app expects.

  4. 04

    Live

    A light-cloud.io URL in minutes, a preview URL for every branch, and logs and metrics beside it.

    main-app-acme.light-cloud.io

More on Node.js

Express builds on Node.js. These do too.

Add a database

Managed PostgreSQL in the same project, its connection string one copy away.

Questions

How do I deploy Express?
Connect the repository, upload the folder, or ask Claude Code or GitHub Copilot to deploy it. Light Cloud reads the files, builds Express and returns a live URL in minutes, with a preview URL for every branch.
How much does it cost to host Express?
The Free plan runs up to 3 server apps with $1 of usage a month and no card. A container is billed by the hour only while it runs, so an idle app costs nothing and a quiet one uses about $0.10 a month. Paid plans start at $5 a month with $5 of usage included.
Can a Express app use a database?
Yes. Create a PostgreSQL database in the same project and set its connection string as DATABASE_URL. Databases come with paid plans, from $5 a month.
Can I use my own Dockerfile instead?
Yes. A Dockerfile at the root of the repository always wins over detection: it is built as is and runs as a container.

Express, live in minutes

Connect a Express repository and get a live URL. Start free, no card.

Deploy ExpressRead the Express docs