Setting Up a CI/CD Pipeline for a NestJS Application on Azure

In today’s fast-paced development environment, Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) have become essential practices for delivering high-quality software efficiently. For developers working with NestJS, a progressive Node.js framework, setting up a CI/CD pipeline on Azure can streamline your development process. In this article, we will explore how to set up a robust CI/CD pipeline for a NestJS application on Azure, including actionable insights, step-by-step instructions, and code snippets to help you along the way.

What is CI/CD?

Continuous Integration (CI)

Continuous Integration is the practice of automatically testing and integrating code changes into a shared repository several times a day. This process helps detect issues early by running automated tests against new code, ensuring that the software remains stable.

Continuous Deployment (CD)

Continuous Deployment extends CI by automating the release of software to production. Every change that passes the automated tests is deployed to the production environment, allowing for rapid delivery of features and bug fixes.

Why Use a CI/CD Pipeline?

Implementing a CI/CD pipeline offers numerous benefits, including:

• Faster Development Cycles: Automating testing and deployment accelerates the release process.
• Increased Code Quality: Automated tests help catch bugs before they reach production.
• Consistent Deployments: CI/CD ensures that deployments are repeatable and less prone to human error.
• Improved Collaboration: Teams can work together more effectively with a shared codebase and automated processes.

Prerequisites

Before setting up your CI/CD pipeline, ensure you have the following:

• A NestJS application ready for deployment.
• An Azure account.
• Azure CLI installed on your machine.
• Git installed for version control.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up CI/CD for a NestJS Application on Azure

Step 1: Create a New Azure App Service

1. Login to Azure: bash az login

2. Create a Resource Group: bash az group create --name myResourceGroup --location eastus

3. Create an App Service Plan: bash az appservice plan create --name myAppServicePlan --resource-group myResourceGroup --sku B1 --is-linux

4. Create the Web App: bash az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name myNestApp --runtime "NODE|14-lts"

Step 2: Configure Your NestJS Application

Ensure that your NestJS application is ready for deployment. This typically involves:

• Creating a Dockerfile: This file defines how your application is built and run. Here’s a basic example:

```dockerfile FROM node:14

WORKDIR /usr/src/app

COPY package*.json ./ RUN npm install COPY . .

EXPOSE 3000 CMD ["npm", "run", "start:prod"] ```

• Creating a .dockerignore file: This prevents unnecessary files from being included in your Docker image.

node_modules npm-debug.log

Step 3: Set Up GitHub Actions for CI/CD

1. Create a .github/workflows/ci-cd.yml file: This file defines the CI/CD pipeline. Below is an example configuration:

```yaml name: CI/CD Pipeline for NestJS

on: push: branches: - main

jobs: build: runs-on: ubuntu-latest

   steps:
     - name: Checkout code
       uses: actions/checkout@v2

     - name: Set up Node.js
       uses: actions/setup-node@v2
       with:
         node-version: '14'

     - name: Install dependencies
       run: npm install

     - name: Run tests
       run: npm test

     - name: Build the NestJS application
       run: npm run build

     - name: Build Docker image
       run: docker build . -t mynestapp

     - name: Login to Azure Container Registry
       run: |
         echo "${{ secrets.AZURE_PASSWORD }}" | docker login myregistry.azurecr.io -u ${{ secrets.AZURE_USERNAME }} --password-stdin

     - name: Push Docker image
       run: docker push myregistry.azurecr.io/mynestapp

 deploy:
   runs-on: ubuntu-latest
   needs: build

   steps:
     - name: Deploy to Azure Web App
       uses: azure/webapps-deploy@v2
       with:
         app-name: myNestApp
         slot-name: production
         publish-profile: ${{ secrets.AZURE_PUBLISH_PROFILE }}

```

Step 4: Configure Secrets in GitHub

To securely store sensitive information, such as Azure credentials:

1. Go to your GitHub repository.
2. Navigate to Settings > Secrets > New repository secret.
3. Add the following secrets:
4. AZURE_USERNAME: Your Azure username.
5. AZURE_PASSWORD: Your Azure password.
6. AZURE_PUBLISH_PROFILE: The publish profile for your Azure Web App, which can be downloaded from the Azure portal.

Step 5: Trigger Your CI/CD Pipeline

Once everything is set up, any push to the main branch will trigger the CI/CD pipeline. You can monitor the progress through the Actions tab in your GitHub repository.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Failed Builds: Check your CI/CD logs for error messages. Common issues include missing dependencies or incorrect Docker configurations.
• Deployment Errors: Ensure your Azure settings are correctly configured and that the correct secrets are used.

Conclusion

Setting up a CI/CD pipeline for your NestJS application on Azure not only enhances your development workflow but also ensures that your application is delivered promptly and reliably. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a robust CI/CD pipeline that automates testing and deployment, allowing you to focus on what you do best—writing code! Embrace the power of automation, and watch your productivity soar. Happy coding!