How to Use the Command 'vercel' (with examples)

The ‘vercel’ command-line interface (CLI) is a powerful tool designed to help developers deploy and manage their projects on the Vercel platform effortlessly. Vercel is popular for its seamless integration of frontend hosting solutions, supporting frameworks such as Next.js, React, Vue, and more. With its CLI, users can easily deploy their applications, manage environment variables, and streamline their workflow directly from the command line, enhancing productivity and simplifying complex processes.

Deploy the Current Directory

Code:

vercel

Motivation: When you have a project ready to deploy in your current working directory, using the vercel command is the most straightforward way to get it online quickly. This command assumes default deployment settings, making it perfect for initial testing and when rapid iterations are needed.

Explanation: Executing the vercel command without additional arguments will deploy the project located in your current directory to a preview environment. This is perfect for verifying changes before pushing them live.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
? Set up and deploy “~/workspace/my-awesome-project”? [Y/n] y
? Which scope do you want to deploy to? my-username
? Link to existing project? [y/N] n
? What’s your project’s name? my-awesome-project
? In which directory is your code located? ./
...
...
Your deployment is now live >>> https://my-awesome-project.vercel.app

Deploy the Current Directory to Production

Code:

vercel --prod

Motivation: When your project is ready for the live production environment, it’s essential to deploy it accordingly to ensure that all settings are configured for a production-level application. Using the --prod flag signifies that the deployment must adhere to production standards.

Explanation: The --prod flag tells Vercel to bypass the preview stages, deploying your current project directly to production. This action often employs stricter rules, reflecting changes for end users and caching mechanisms.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
? Set up and deploy “~/workspace/my-awesome-project”? [Y/n] y
? Which scope do you want to deploy to? my-username
» Deploying to Production...
...
...
Your production deployment is now live >>> https://my-awesome-project.vercel.app

Deploy a Directory

Code:

vercel path/to/project

Motivation: Working with multiple projects means navigating between directories frequently. If you wish to deploy a project that is not in your current directory, specify the path to the desired directory to target the right project.

Explanation: This command allows you to deploy any project by specifying its path. This is highly useful if your workspace consists of several projects, as it eliminates the need to change directories manually.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
? Set up and deploy “~/workspace/other-awesome-project”? [Y/n] y
? Which scope do you want to deploy to? my-username
...
...
Your deployment is now live >>> https://other-awesome-project.vercel.app

Initialize an Example Project

Code:

vercel init

Motivation: Initiating a new project can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to Vercel. The vercel init command simplifies this process by setting up a starter template for you, integrating essential components and configurations.

Explanation: The init command initializes an example project, which serves as a scaffold for new applications. This is helpful for new developers or when exploring new frameworks supported by Vercel.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
? Which template would you like to start with?  (Use arrow keys)
  create-next-app
  create-react-app
  vue-template
  svelte-template
  ...
Selected “create-next-app”
...
Project successfully initialized.

Deploy with Environment Variables

Code:

vercel --env ENV=var

Motivation: Environment variables are crucial for customizing application behavior without hardcoding values directly into the codebase. When deploying with Vercel, easily specify environment variables at deploy time to manage different settings for your application.

Explanation: The --env flag followed by a key=value pair allows you to specify environment variables for your deployment. This technique ensures that sensitive data and configuration settings are managed securely and effectively.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
Setting environment variable ENV=var
Deploying...
Your deployment is now live >>> https://configured-app.vercel.app

Build with Environment Variables

Code:

vercel --build-env ENV=var

Motivation: Sometimes, specific environment variables are only needed during the build phase of your application. Using the --build-env parameter ensures these variables are present during the build process but kept separate from runtime environment variables.

Explanation: The --build-env flag designates environment variables that apply only during the build process. This usage keeps build-specific configurations out of the runtime environment, facilitating a clean separation of concerns for development and production builds.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
Building with environment variable ENV=var
Building...
...
Your deployment is now live >>> https://build-specific-app.vercel.app

Set Default Regions to Enable the Deployment On

Code:

vercel --regions region_id

Motivation: To optimize performance, deploying applications closer to your user base is important. The --regions flag allows you to specify where your application should be deployed geographically.

Explanation: This flag lets you choose default regions where the application deployment already supported by Vercel will occur. This optimizes delivery times and performance based on your expected audience’s geographic location.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
Configuring regions for deployment: region_id
Deploying...
Your deployment is now live >>> https://region-deployment-app.vercel.app

Remove a Deployment

Code:

vercel remove project_name

Motivation: Managing multiple deployments can lead to clutter and confusion over time. If a deployment is no longer necessary, the remove command quickly frees up resources and simplifies active deployment management.

Explanation: The remove command followed by project_name eliminates a specified deployment from Vercel. This command is vital for maintaining a tidy deployment environment and navigating active projects efficiently.

Example Output:

Vercel CLI 24.0.0
? Are you sure you want to remove the deployment “project_name”? [y/N] y
✓ Deployment removed successfully

Conclusion

The Vercel CLI is a multifunctional tool designed to simplify the deployment and management of web applications across various environments and frameworks. By understanding these use cases and appropriately applying them to your projects, you can significantly streamline workflow processes, maintain organized deployment environments, and ensure optimized application performances based on user configurations and regional settings.