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Deploying a Vue or React App Using Azure Static Web Apps and Azure DevOps

Deploying a frontend application with Azure Static Web Apps integrated with Azure DevOps leverages the power of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). This guide will walk you through the detailed steps to achieve a seamless deployment of your Vue or React application.

Step 1: Log into Azure Portal

  1. Access the Azure Portal.
  2. Navigate to App Services and select Static Web App.

Step 2: Select or Create a Resource Group

  1. Choose an existing resource group if available.
  2. To create a new resource group, click on Create new. Use a clear and consistent naming convention (e.g., rg-myproject-prod).

Step 3: Configure Static Web App

  1. Enter a unique name for your Static Web App.
  2. Choose the appropriate hosting plan:
    • Free
    • Standard
    • Dedicated Click Compare plans to understand the differences and select the best option.

Step 4: Set Up Deployment with Azure DevOps

  1. Under Deployment details, select Azure DevOps.
  2. Authenticate and choose your Azure DevOps organization.
  3. Select the project, repository, and branch for the deployment.

Step 5: Configure Build Details

  1. Select from the available build presets or configure a custom build preset.
  2. Define the App location:
    • / if the code is in the root directory
    • /app if the code is in a folder named app
  3. Specify the API location:
    • /api if you have Azure Functions code in an api folder.
  4. Set the Output location:
    • For example, if the build output is in build within the app directory, set it to build.

Step 6: Advanced Deployment Settings

  1. If uncertain about some deployment details, select Other to allow post-deployment adjustments.
  2. Click Next: Advanced to choose the region for Azure Functions and configure staging environments.

Step 7: Add Tags and Review

  1. Add relevant tags for resource management and tracking.
  2. Click Next to review all configurations.
  3. If everything is correct, click Create to initiate the deployment.

Step 8: Deployment Process

  1. You will be redirected to a deployment page.
  2. Wait for the deployment to complete. This can take a few minutes.
  3. Once completed, a notification saying “Your Deployment is complete” will appear.
  4. Click Go to Resource to navigate to your newly created Static Web App.

Step 9: Verify Azure DevOps Pipeline

  1. Navigate to your Azure DevOps project.
  2. Inspect the pipeline for any failures or issues.
  3. Click on Deployment history to view Azure DevOps pipeline runs.
  4. Your repository will automatically be added with a YAML file. Review and modify this file to:
    • Add deployment approval checks.
    • Configure different deployment slots (e.g., staging and production).
    • To add a staging slot, include deployment_environment: staging under the AzureStaticWebApp@0 task in the YAML file.

Step 10: Verify and Access Your Deployed App

  1. Once the pipeline run is successful, return to the Azure portal.
  2. Navigate to Static Web Apps and select your deployed application.
  3. In the Overview section, click on the provided URL to view your web application.

Conclusion

Deploying a Vue or React application using Azure Static Web Apps combined with Azure DevOps provides a robust CI/CD pipeline, ensuring your app remains up-to-date with the latest code changes. This integration facilitates streamlined deployments, efficient resource management, and enhanced collaboration within your development team.

References

This comprehensive deployment approach not only simplifies the process but also ensures a scalable and maintainable solution for modern web applications.

Sample .yaml for reference

name: Azure Static Web Apps CI/CD


pr:
  branches:
    include:
      - main
trigger:
  branches:
    include:
      - main


jobs:
  - job: build_and_deploy_job
    displayName: Build and Deploy Job
    condition: or(eq(variables['Build.Reason'], 'Manual'),or(eq(variables['Build.Reason'], 'PullRequest'),eq(variables['Build.Reason'], 'IndividualCI')))
    pool:
      vmImage: ubuntu-latest
    variables:
      - group: Azure-Static-Web-Apps
    steps:
      - checkout: self
        submodules: true
      - task: AzureStaticWebApp@0
        inputs:
          azure_static_web_apps_api_token: $(AZURE_STATIC_WEB_APPS_API_TOKEN_DELIGHTFUL_BAY_02378850F)
          ###### Repository/Build Configurations - These values can be configured to match your app requirements. ######
          # For more information regarding Static Web App workflow configurations, please visit: https://aka.ms/swaworkflowconfig
          app_location: '/' # App source code path
          api_location: '' # Api source code path - optional
          output_location: 'dist' # Built app content directory - optional