Node.js deployment docs

pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

Hey! Are there canonical docs on running Node.js/epxress apps on Railway? I'd like to understand better how it picks the node version it runs (.nvmrc?), which command it runs (npm start?), how to add a build/compile step. Google doesn't turn up anything useful.

0 Replies

pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

dff4b85e-146a-4699-a2e4-584564299cc9


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

Given that I'm using a nixpack, I think part of the answer is here https://nixpacks.com/docs/providers/node


9 months ago

yepp that plus this page -


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

Looks like it's picking process.version.node=22.3.0 even though I specified % cat .nvmrc v22.9.0


9 months ago

.nvmrc isnt used


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

Would it be fair to say that I'm better off using a Dockerfile if I want full control over the node version?


9 months ago

control over the minor and patch versions, yes


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

👍


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

Is there diff in deployment speed between nixpacks and using my own Dockerfile?


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

Deploymnet feel quite fast as they are right now, and I'd like to not slow that down too much


9 months ago

there can be, with a dockerfile, there is no time spent installing nix stuff, so that shaves off time


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

oh, so you're saying docker could actually be faster?


9 months ago

it could


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

awesome, I'll try that then


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

last question, do you have a pointer for an example railway typescript project that uses a dockerfile rather than nixpack?


9 months ago

heres a dead simple dockerfile, its pretty generic -


9 months ago

but please know that dockerfiles aren't specific to railway


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

sure I understand thant


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

*that


pesterhazy
PRO

9 months ago

thanks, that's very helpful