Deploying a TypeScript Application on VPS: A Step-by-Step Guide from A to Z

Introduction: Why VPS is the Ideal Place for Your TypeScript Project?

You've written a great application in TypeScript — be it an Express server, a Next.js site, or a NestJS API. Locally, everything works perfectly, but it's time to show the project to the world. Many beginners are afraid of the deployment stage, considering it complex and confusing. In reality, understanding this process once will allow you to deploy any TypeScript projects in 15-20 minutes.

In this guide, we will cover the complete deployment cycle of a TypeScript application on a VPS (Virtual Private Server) — from server preparation to domain and HTTPS setup. The article is focused on the Node.js ecosystem, as TypeScript is most often used with it.

What you will learn:

• How to prepare a VPS for work (Ubuntu 22.04)
• How to set up Node.js, TypeScript, and the PM2 process manager
• How to build (compile) TypeScript in production mode
• How to configure Nginx as a reverse proxy
• How to connect a free SSL certificate via Let's Encrypt

1. Preparing the VPS and Installing the Necessary Environment

1.1 Initial Server Setup

Assume you have rented a VPS (e.g., from DigitalOcean, Timeweb, or Reg.ru) with Ubuntu 22.04. First, connect to the server via SSH:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Create a separate user (safer than working as root):

adduser deployerusermod -aG sudo deployersu - deployer

1.2 Installing Node.js and npm

For a TypeScript application, we will need Node.js version 18 or 20 (LTS). Use the official NodeSource PPA:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Verify the installation:

node -vnpm -v

1.3 Installing TypeScript Globally (Optional)

Although TypeScript usually comes as a local project dependency, you can install it globally for quick compilation checks:

sudo npm install -g typescript

1.4 Cloning Your Project

Copy the repository from GitHub/GitLab to the server:

git clone https://github.com/your-username/your-project.gitcd your-project

Install dependencies:

npm install

2. Building TypeScript and Setting Up PM2

2.1 Compiling TypeScript to JavaScript

Your package.json should have a build script. It usually looks like this:

{  "scripts": {    "build": "tsc",    "start": "node dist/index.js",    "dev": "ts-node-dev src/index.ts"  }}

Run the build:

npm run build

After execution, the compiled JavaScript code will appear in the dist folder. If you have a Next.js project, the build command will be npm run build (Next.js compiles TypeScript itself).

2.2 Installing and Configuring PM2

PM2 is a process manager that keeps your application running, restarts it if it crashes, and manages logs. Install it:

sudo npm install -g pm2

Start the application via PM2 (specify the path to the compiled file):

pm2 start dist/index.js --name "my-typescript-app"

If you have a Next.js project, the command will be different:

pm2 start npm --name "next-app" -- start

Configure PM2 to start automatically on server reboot:

pm2 startup systemdpm2 save

Now your application is running on a local port (e.g., 3000). Let's make it accessible via a domain.

3. Configuring Nginx as a Reverse Proxy

3.1 Installing Nginx

                
                

                    

                        Blogs                    
                    

                                                    
                                

                                    

                                        
                                    
                                    
C# Application Security: Top 10 Vulnerabilities and Protection in .NET
                                
                            
                                                    
                                

                                    

                                        
                                    
                                    
Observability in Go: Tracing, Metrics, and Logs for Pros
                                
                            
                                                    
                                

                                    

                                        
                                    
                                    
Mutation Testing C++: How to Make Code Unbreakable
                                
                            
                                            
                

                
                

                    

                        Book Recommendations                    
                    

                                                    
                                

                                    

                                        
                                    
                                    
Algorithms and Data Structures in Swift (iOS/macOS)
                                
                            
                                                    
                                

                                    

                                        
                                    
                                    
Performance of Kotlin Applications
                                
                            
                                                    
                                

                                    

                                        
                                    
                                    
Testing TypeScript Applications: From Unit Tests to E2E
                                
                            
                                                    
                                

                                    

                                        
                                    
                                    
DevOps for Rust Developers: CI/CD, Containerization, and Deployment
                                
                            
                                            
                
            
    

  
Read also
  

                
                  
                 Best IDEs and Tools for Rust Development in 2024
      
                
                  
                 Documenting a Rust Project: A Complete Guide from A to Z
      
                
                  
                 Integrating WebAssembly and C#: Building High-Performance Web Applications
      
                
                  
                 Salaries of Swift Developers in Russia: Market Overview for Advanced
      
                
                  
                 Advanced Swift Application Monitoring: Metrics and Alerts