This guide explains how to deploy the Reelease AI frontend on a VPS (Virtual Private Server). You will configure the server, install required software, build the Next.js application, and run Reelease AI in a production-ready environment.

VPS deployment is recommended because it provides Full server control, Better performance tuning, Secure routing, SSL support, and Scalability for SaaS growth.

1. System Setup

After connecting to your VPS via SSH:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install curl wget git unzip build-essential -y

These utilities are required for installing Node.js and managing your application.

2. Deploy Reelease AI Frontend Code

To deploy your frontend code, you first need to host it on a version control system like GitHub and configure server access.

Step 1 — Upload Code to GitHub & Get URL

• Unzip the provided source code file and upload the code to a new GitHub repository.
• Open your GitHub repository in the browser.
• Click on the green Code button.
• Select the SSH option.
• Copy the SSH URL.

Step 2 — Give Server Access to Your Private Repo (Optional)

If your repository is private, you must generate an SSH key on your server to allow access.

Generate SSH key on server:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "server"

Press Enter for defaults when prompted.

Show the public key:

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Copy the output text.

Step 3 — Add Deploy Key to GitHub

• Go to your GitHub Repository.
• Click on Settings.
• Navigate to Deploy Keys.
• Click Add Deploy Key.
• Paste the key you copied from your server.
• Ensure Allow write access is UNCHECKED (Enable Read Access only).
• Click Add key.

Step 4 — Clone Repository

Connect to your VPS terminal and use the copied URL to clone the repository:

mkdir -p /opt/apps
cd /opt/apps

git clone git@github.com:YOUR_USERNAME/reelease-ai-next.git

Step 5 — Install Dependencies

cd reelease-ai-next
npm install

3. Configure Environment Variables

Create .env.local file:

nano .env.local

Example Production Configuration:

NEXT_PUBLIC_API_BASE_URL=http://your-backend-domain/api
NEXT_PUBLIC_STORAGE_URL=http://your-backend-domain
NEXT_PUBLIC_STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=
NEXT_PUBLIC_SOCKET_URL=http://your-backend-domain

4. Build & Process Management (PM2)

Build the Next.js application and start it using PM2:

npm run build
sudo npm install -g pm2
pm2 start npm --name "reelease-ai-frontend" -- run start -- -p 3001
pm2 save
pm2 startup

Check logs:

pm2 logs reelease-ai-frontend

PM2 ensures: Auto restart on crash, Background execution, Memory monitoring, Log management.

5. Reverse Proxy Setup (Nginx)

The Reelease AI frontend runs internally on port 3001. Install Nginx and create config:

sudo apt install nginx -y
sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/reelease-ai-frontend

Add configuration:

server {
   listen 80;
   server_name your-domain.com;

   location / {
       proxy_pass http://localhost:3001;
       proxy_http_version 1.1;
       proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
       proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
       proxy_set_header Host $host;
       proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
   }
}

Enable configuration:

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/reelease-ai-frontend /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl restart nginx

6. Enable SSL (HTTPS)

Install Certbot and generate SSL:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y
sudo certbot --nginx -d your-domain.com

Set up auto renewal:

sudo crontab -e
# Add the following line:
0 12 * * * /usr/bin/certbot renew --quiet

Now Reelease AI runs securely via HTTPS.

7. Testing & Verification

Test the application in your browser:

https://your-domain.com

Check: Login pages, Dashboard loading, and API connections.

Logs: pm2 logs reelease-ai-frontend

8. Maintenance & Updates

To update frontend:

cd reelease-ai-next
git pull origin main
npm install
npm run build
pm2 restart reelease-ai-next

Regularly monitor: CPU & RAM, Disk space, and SSL renewal status.