This guide is prepared for developers who want to migrate an existing Next.js project on GitHub to Skyversal and get it into production within minutes.
"Why should I use Skyversal instead of Vercel, Railway, or a VPS?" This is the first question in the mind of a developer using Next.js. As an ideal Vercel alternative for Next.js developers seeking more control and cost advantages, Skyversal retains the Zero-Config deployment experience while offering full freedom over your infrastructure. You can deploy Next.js projects in seconds without dealing with server setups, reverse proxy configurations, or process management, and customize your infrastructure according to your needs whenever you want.
1. How Does Skyversal Detect Next.js Projects?
The moment you connect your repository, Skyversal analyzes the project structure and automatically detects that it is a Next.js application.
Core Next.js features like App Router, Pages Router, Server Side Rendering (SSR), Static Site Generation (SSG), Middleware, and API Routes are supported without needing any additional configuration. You don't need to set up a server, configure Nginx, or manage processes with PM2. Skyversal prepares the build and runtime environment for you.
2. Deployment Timeline
Knowing what runs in the background gives developers confidence. Here is how the process flows when deploying a Next.js project on Skyversal:
npm run build is executed to generate optimized production outputs.npm run start command.You can track every step of the deployment process in real-time from your project's Deploy Logs screen.
Production Standard
Skyversal adheres to Next.js's recommended production runtime model. The development server (next dev) is never executed in the production environment. Instead, the production output generated by next build is executed using the next start command.
3. The Zero Config Philosophy
Zero Config is a deployment model where you don't need to manually enter settings like Build Command, Start Command, or Port. You just hit "Deploy".
What does Skyversal automatically detect?
Skyversal doesn't just detect Next.js. It also analyzes files like package-lock.json, yarn.lock, pnpm-lock.yaml, or bun.lockb to automatically select the correct package manager.
Thanks to its Nixpacks-based build system, Skyversal caches dependencies and build layers, significantly speeding up subsequent deployments.
4. When Do You Need Custom Settings?
"Will I never make any settings?" Most of the time, no. But some advanced projects might require custom Build or Run commands.
Scenarios Requiring Custom Setup
- Monorepo architectures
- Turborepo / Nx Workspace
- Custom Docker processes
- Different Root Directories
In such cases, you can easily customize the Root directory or build commands from your project's Build & Run tab.
Build Commands GuideSkyversal Next.js Support Matrix
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| App Router | ✅ |
| Pages Router | ✅ |
| API Routes | ✅ |
| Route Handlers | ✅ |
| Middleware | ✅ |
| Server Actions | ✅ |
| SSR | ✅ |
| SSG | ✅ |
| ISR | ✅ |
| next/image | ✅ |
| Standalone Output | ✅ |
| Edge Runtime | Soon |
| Turbopack | Soon |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the Node.js version?
"engines": { "node": ">=20.0.0" } section in your package.json or from the .nvmrc file in your project. You can also manually select a specific version from the Settings > Build & Run menu if you prefer.
Is image optimization (next/image) supported?
next/image component to optimize images flawlessly in the production environment, ensure that you have added the sharp package to your project using the npm install sharp command.
Are Environment Variables supported?
.env variables from your project's Skyversal dashboard and update them at any time.
Can I connect a custom domain?
Is Monorepo supported?
Can I see logs after deployment?
Everything is Ready!
Your Next.js application is now running in the production environment.
As a next step, you can add your environment variables, connect your custom domain, or integrate your application with a Managed Database.