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

In today's fast-paced software development landscape, Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) have become essential practices for delivering high-quality applications swiftly and reliably. If you're developing a NestJS application, leveraging Azure for your CI/CD pipelines can streamline your workflow and enhance your deployment efficiency. In this article, we will explore the process of setting up CI/CD pipelines for a NestJS application on Azure, covering definitions, use cases, and actionable insights.

What is CI/CD?

Continuous Integration (CI)

Continuous Integration is a development practice where developers frequently integrate their code changes into a shared repository. Each integration is verified by an automated build and testing process, allowing teams to detect errors quickly and improve software quality.

Continuous Deployment (CD)

Continuous Deployment extends CI by automatically deploying every code change to production after passing the automated tests. This ensures that your application is always up-to-date with the latest features and fixes, reducing the time between development and release.

Why Use CI/CD for NestJS Applications?

• Faster Development Cycles: Automating the build and deployment processes speeds up the development cycle, allowing developers to focus on writing code.
• Improved Code Quality: Automated testing ensures that new changes do not introduce bugs, leading to a more stable application.
• Scalability: CI/CD pipelines can easily scale with your application, accommodating more complex workflows as your project grows.
• Collaboration: CI/CD fosters better collaboration among team members, as everyone can work on the same codebase with confidence that their changes will integrate smoothly.

Prerequisites

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

• A NestJS application ready for deployment
• An Azure account
• Azure DevOps Organization (free tier is available)
• Basic understanding of Git and command-line tools

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up CI/CD Pipelines

Step 1: Create a New Azure DevOps Project

1. Log in to Azure DevOps: Go to Azure DevOps and log in to your account.
2. Create a New Project: Click on "New Project" and fill in the necessary details. Name your project (e.g., NestJS-CI-CD), select visibility (private or public), and click "Create."

Step 2: Set Up a Repository

1. Navigate to Repos: In your newly created project, click on "Repos" in the left sidebar.
2. Import or Create a Repository: If your NestJS application is already in a Git repository, you can import it. Otherwise, create a new repository and push your local NestJS application code to this repository.

git remote add origin <your-repo-url>
git push -u origin master

Step 3: Configure the CI Pipeline

1. Go to Pipelines: Click on "Pipelines" in the left sidebar and then click on "Create Pipeline."
2. Select Your Repository: Choose the repository you created in the previous step.
3. Choose a Pipeline Configuration: You can either use the classic editor or YAML. We recommend YAML for its flexibility. Choose "YAML."
4. Define Your Pipeline: Create a new file named azure-pipelines.yml in your repository root. Here’s a sample configuration:

trigger:
  branches:
    include:
      - master

pool:
  vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'

steps:
  - task: NodeTool@0
    inputs:
      versionSpec: '14.x'

  - script: |
      npm install
      npm run build
    displayName: 'Install and Build'

  - task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
    inputs:
      PathtoPublish: 'dist'
      ArtifactName: 'drop'

Step 4: Set Up the CD Pipeline

1. Navigate to Releases: In your Azure DevOps project, click on "Releases" under the Pipelines section.
2. Create a New Release Pipeline: Click on "New" and select "Empty Job."
3. Add an Artifact: Click on the "Add an artifact" link and choose the build pipeline you created earlier.
4. Define Stages: Add a stage for deployment (e.g., "Production") and select the deployment target (e.g., Azure App Service).

Step 5: Configure Deployment

1. Select Azure App Service: In the stage you created, click on "Add" under the tasks section and select "Azure App Service Deploy."
2. Configure Azure Settings: Set up your Azure subscription, app service name, and package or folder (use $(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/_YourBuildPipelineName/drop).

Step 6: Triggering the Pipeline

1. Save and Create a Release: Save your changes and create a new release.
2. Monitor Progress: You can monitor your CI/CD pipeline's progress through Azure DevOps. Check for build and deployment logs for any errors.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Build Failures: If your build fails, review the logs for specific error messages. Common issues include outdated dependencies or build script errors.
• Deployment Issues: If the deployment fails, ensure that your Azure App Service is configured correctly and that the correct package path is specified.
• Environment Variables: Ensure that any required environment variables (like database connection strings) are set in your Azure App Service configuration.

Conclusion

Setting up CI/CD pipelines for your NestJS application on Azure empowers you to deliver high-quality software more efficiently. By automating your build and deployment processes, you can focus on coding while ensuring that your application is always up-to-date and stable. With the steps outlined in this guide, you're well on your way to a seamless development experience. Embrace CI/CD practices to stay competitive and responsive to your users' needs!