LIGHTCLOUD

Runtime

Deploy Node.js on Light Cloud

Node.js runs JavaScript and TypeScript on the server. Light Cloud detects it from a package.json. A project with a build script and no start script is built once and served from the global CDN. Anything with a server runs as a container.

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

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Deploy Node.js

Node.js at a glance

Detected from
a package.json
Runs as
A project with a build script and no start script is built once and served from the global CDN. Anything with a server runs as a container.
Versions
Node 22, 24 or 26 (default 24), read from .nvmrc, .node-version or engines.node. Static builds run on Node 22.
Build
npm, yarn or pnpm, chosen from the lockfile
Start command
The start script, else the framework’s server entry, else node index.js
Port
8080

How to deploy Node.js

  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

    Node.js, detected

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

  3. 03

    Built into a container

    The build runs, then goes to the CDN or into a container, whichever the project needs.

  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

Frameworks on Node.js

Detected the same way, each with its own build and start command.

Add a database

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

Questions

How do I deploy Node.js?
Connect the repository, upload the folder, or ask Claude Code or GitHub Copilot to deploy it. Light Cloud reads the files, builds Node.js and returns a live URL in minutes, with a preview URL for every branch.
How much does it cost to host Node.js?
As a static site: Static sites are free on every plan, with no limit on how many (fair use: 20 GB of bandwidth a month per workspace on Free). A typical one uses about $0.01 of usage a month. As a server app: 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 Node.js 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.

Node.js, live in minutes

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

Deploy Node.jsRead the Node.js docs