How to use the command 'netlify' (with examples)

Netlify is a platform that provides developers with a unified workflow to build, deploy, and manage web applications. At its core, Netlify automates much of the manual work around deploying web applications, allowing developers to focus on coding rather than deployment logistics. With its robust CLI, users can deploy sites, manage them, and even simulate production environments locally. This article will detail some key use cases of the Netlify CLI with clear examples and explanations.

Use case 1: Log in to the Netlify account

Code:

netlify login

Motivation:

Before you can harness the full power of the Netlify CLI, you need to establish a secure connection between your local machine and your Netlify account. Logging in allows the CLI to authenticate your actions, ensuring that any site deployments, configurations, or management tasks you initiate are conducted under your account, safeguarding your data, and your projects.

Explanation:

The command netlify login doesn’t require additional arguments, making it straightforward to execute. On running this command, it opens a web browser prompting you to grant access to your Netlify account. This authentication step is crucial as it ensures that all your subsequent actions using the CLI are authorized and tracked to your account.

Example output:

Logging into your Netlify account...
Opening a browser window for authentication...
Successfully logged in to your Netlify account as [Your Email].

Use case 2: Deploy the contents of a directory to Netlify

Code:

netlify deploy

Motivation:

Once your web application is developed, the next step is to make it accessible to the world. The netlify deploy command is designed for this purpose, allowing developers to push the contents of a local directory to Netlify and, by extension, the internet. This action turns your local code and resources into a live site accessible through a Netlify-generated URL.

Explanation:

The command netlify deploy can be executed alone, but the CLI may prompt for additional information if necessary. While default behavior initiates a manual deploy, wherein you direct Netlify to a specific directory, the tool can manage more complex configurations, such as automatically picking a default deploy directory defined in the project.

Example output:

This folder isn't linked to a site yet
? What would you like to do? (Use arrow keys)
❯ + Create & configure a new site 
  Link this directory to an existing site
  Exit plan

Deploy path: /path/to/your/site
Deploying to draft URL...
✔ Finished deploying. Draft URL: https://your-site-name--your-account.netlify.app

Use case 3: Configure continuous deployment for a new or an existing site

Code:

netlify init

Motivation:

Continuous deployment ensures that any changes made to your code repository are automatically deployed to your live site without manual intervention. This helps maintain agility and continuous updates, promoting a development workflow that encourages frequent and iterative deployments. The netlify init command facilitates setting up or linking your local repository directory to a Netlify site, ready for continuous integration with your version control system like GitHub.

Explanation:

When you run netlify init, the CLI guides you through a series of prompts to either set up a new Netlify site or link it to an existing one. It automates configuration tasks related to deployment settings, branch hooks, and even environment variables, making the process seamless.

Example output:

? What would you like to do? (Use arrow keys)
❯ + Create & configure a new site 
  Link this directory to an existing site
  Exit

Creating a new site...
✔ Site [your-site-name] is created
✔ Continuous deployment is now configured, pushing changes to your git repository will deploy the site.

Use case 4: Start a local dev server

Code:

netlify dev

Motivation:

Developers often need to simulate a production-like environment on their local machines to test their applications before deployment. The netlify dev command serves this purpose by starting a local development server that mimics the Netlify platform. It provides a convenient way to preview and interact with your site as it behaves on the Netlify infrastructure, thus reducing the risk of deployment breakthroughs.

Explanation:

Running netlify dev triggers a build process and spawns a local server. This server integrates with Netlify’s function emulation, giving you a full-stack runtime that closely resembles the live Netlify environment. It supports hot-reloading, meaning as you alter your code, the local server reflects these changes instantly.

Example output:

Building your site...
Local server started at http://localhost:8888
Function server is running locally at http://localhost:34567
✔ Server ready! Opening in your default browser...

Conclusion:

The Netlify CLI is a powerful tool in a developer’s toolkit, streamlining the process of deploying and managing web applications. Whether you’re deploying your first site, setting up continuous deployment, or testing your web app locally, understanding and utilizing these commands can greatly enhance your workflow and productivity on the Netlify platform.