You can run a Node.js app on StarDomain in three ways. The App Platform is the simplest for most projects.
App Platform: connect your GitHub repository and click Deploy Now. Your app must listen on the PORT environment variable. DirectAdmin Growth: use the Node.js app selector. VPS: install Node.js and run your app as a service. Container Hosting does not run Node.js apps.
1. App Platform (recommended)
- Create an appunder Services › App Platform.
- Connect GitHub.In your app, open Access › GitHub, choose your repository and click Deploy Now.
- Listen on the right port.Read the port from
process.env.PORTand bind to0.0.0.0. - Add settingssuch as
NODE_ENV=productionas environment variables. - Add your domainwhen the app works. Free SSL is set up for you.
Node.js is detected from your package.json. A PostgreSQL database is included on every plan. To deploy from your own CI instead of GitHub, use a deploy token. See Getting Started with the App Platform, Environment Variables and Custom Domains.
2. DirectAdmin Growth hosting
The Growth plan includes a Node.js app selector for small apps. See Running Node.js Apps in DirectAdmin.
3. VPS
Install Node.js, run your app with a process manager or a systemd service, and put a web server such as nginx in front of it. See Connecting to Your VPS over SSH.
4. Troubleshooting on the App Platform
- Build fails: read the build log in the Deploy section. The version already running keeps running.
- App crashes on start: check that it listens on
PORT, and that every setting it needs is set as an environment variable. - Domain shows no HTTPS: check that DNS points as shown in the app's domain settings.
Can I run Node.js on Container Hosting?
No. Container Hosting runs PHP websites. Use the App Platform for Node.js.
Does pushing to GitHub deploy my app automatically?
Not by itself. Click Deploy Now, or use a deploy token from your CI so each pipeline run deploys.