Deploy Strapi with PostgreSQL or Any Node.js App on a VPS

Deploying a Node.js application — such as Strapi, Express, or any other backend — on a VPS can be straightforward if done correctly. Follow these detailed steps to set up your server, database, reverse proxy, and process manager.

1. Update Package Manager

Update your system to ensure you have the latest packages and security patches:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

• apt update — refreshes available package list
• apt upgrade — installs new versions of existing packages

2. Install Git and GitHub CLI

sudo apt install git gh

• Git — version control system
• GitHub CLI (gh) — interact with GitHub directly from the terminal

3. Login to GitHub

gh auth login

Authenticate using your GitHub token. Create a token from: GitHub → Settings → Developer Settings → Tokens.

4. Create a Folder for Your Project

mkdir lib
cd lib

5. Clone Your Project

git clone <project-http>

Replace <project-http> with your repository's HTTPS clone URL.

6. Install NVM (Node Version Manager)

Install the latest version from NVM’s GitHub:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash

7. Configure NVM in Your Shell

Add NVM to your shell config:

export NVM_DIR="$([ -z "${XDG_CONFIG_HOME-}" ] && printf %s "${HOME}/.nvm" || printf %s "${XDG_CONFIG_HOME}/nvm")"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"

Reload your shell:

source ~/.bashrc

8. Install Node.js

nvm install <version>

Example:

nvm install 20.15.1

9. Install PostgreSQL (Required for Strapi)

sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib

10. Configure PostgreSQL

Start service:

sudo systemctl start postgresql.service

Switch to postgres user:

sudo -i -u postgres
psql

Inside psql terminal:

CREATE USER username WITH PASSWORD 'password';
ALTER USER username WITH SUPERUSER;
CREATE DATABASE database_name;

Exit:

\q
exit

11. Add a .env File

Inside your project:

nano .env

Add environment variables such as:

DATABASE_HOST=localhost
DATABASE_PORT=5432
DATABASE_USERNAME=username
DATABASE_PASSWORD=password
DATABASE_NAME=database_name

12. Test Your Project

Install dependencies:

npm install

Run the dev server:

npm run dev

13. Install PM2 (Process Manager)

npm install -g pm2

14. Build and Start the Project

npm run build
pm2 start npm --name "strapi" -- run start

15. Auto-Start PM2 on Boot

pm2 save
pm2 startup

16. Install Nginx (Reverse Proxy)

sudo apt install nginx

17. Configure Nginx

Create config file:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/strapi

Add:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name use_domain_name_or_ip_here;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:1337;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

18. Enable Nginx Config

sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/strapi /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo rm /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default

19. Test Nginx Configuration

sudo nginx -t

20. Restart Nginx

sudo systemctl restart nginx

21. Increase File Upload Limit (Optional)

sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Inside the http block:

client_max_body_size 100M;

22. Allow Firewall Traffic (UFW)

Allow HTTP + HTTPS:

sudo ufw allow 'Nginx Full'

OR allow individually:

sudo ufw allow 'Nginx HTTP'
sudo ufw allow 'Nginx HTTPS'

Check firewall status:

sudo ufw status

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can deploy Strapi or any other Node.js application on a VPS with:

• PostgreSQL database
• PM2 for process management
• Nginx as a reverse proxy
• Firewall rules for security

This setup ensures your app runs efficiently, securely, and automatically starts on system reboot.