JavaScript · deploy guide
Deploy Svelte on DockHive
Svelte (Vite) single-page app built and served by nginx. DockHive recognises it from svelte together with vite in package.json (without @sveltejs/kit), so you don't write a Dockerfile or a deploy config. Drone builds it, fixes failed builds and puts it live with HTTPS.
01
Deploy with Drone (zero config)
Drone is DockHive's AI deploy agent. It reads the repository, works out the stack, writes the Dockerfile, picks the port and health check and lists the env vars your Svelte app needs.
- 1 Push to GitHubPush the project to a GitHub repository. No Dockerfile or deploy config needed.
- 2 Pick the repoIn the DockHive console, open App Hosting and choose the repository.
- 3 Deploy with DroneDrone builds it. If the build or health check fails it reads the logs, fixes the build setup and retries, then goes live on <app>.dockhive.app with HTTPS.
Drone saves the working setup, so every push to the repository redeploys automatically. How Drone works
02
Deploy from the terminal
Install the hivepod CLI, sign in once, then run hivepod deploy in the project folder. It uploads the folder (without .git, node_modules, virtualenvs or secrets) and Drone builds it.
$ curl -fsSL https://dockhive.io/install.sh | sh > irm https://dockhive.io/install.ps1 | iex $ hivepod login $ hivepod deploy Deploying the same folder again updates the same app. Set variables on the way with hivepod deploy --env KEY=value.
03
Deploy from your AI agent (MCP)
The CLI includes an MCP server. Add it to Claude Code, then ask your agent to "deploy this to DockHive". The agent calls the deploy tool and hands back the live URL, or Drone's summary and any missing env vars if something needs your input.
$ claude mcp add dockhive -- hivepod mcp Using Claude Desktop, Cursor or Windsurf? Set up the DockHive MCP server.
04
What DockHive detects for Svelte
Detection reads your files; it never runs your code. Recognised by svelte together with vite in package.json (without @sveltejs/kit). These are the defaults; DockHive derives the exact commands from your repository (lockfile, scripts, entry module).
- Default port
- 8080
- Install
- npm ci
- Build
- npm run build
- Start
- nginx (static files)
- The build output is served as static files by nginx, so there is no start command and no Node process at run time.
- Using SvelteKit instead? See the SvelteKit guide.
- Needs a package.json in the app directory.
- Node.js version: taken from "engines.node" in package.json and rounded up to 20, 22 or 24 (22 when unset).
- Package manager: pnpm when there is a pnpm-lock.yaml (or "packageManager": "pnpm@…"), Yarn when there is a yarn.lock, npm otherwise.
- Install: npm ci with a package-lock.json (npm install without one), pnpm install --frozen-lockfile, or yarn install --frozen-lockfile (--immutable on Yarn Berry).
- Build: your "build" script runs when package.json has one.
- Generated images set PORT, listen on 0.0.0.0:$PORT and run as a non-root user wherever the runtime allows. Nothing is written back to your repository.
- Monorepo? When the repository root isn't an app, DockHive looks one level down (app, web, frontend, backend, server, api, src, site, client first).
05
Environment variables and custom domains
Environment variables
Drone spots the variables your app reads. Set the values in the console, with --env on hivepod deploy, or through your agent. Values are write-only. Secrets and .env files are never uploaded.
Custom domains
Every app gets <app>.dockhive.app with HTTPS. To use your own domain, add it to the app and point a CNAME record at DockHive; the Let's Encrypt certificate is issued automatically.
Svelte on DockHive: FAQ
Do I need a Dockerfile to deploy Svelte on DockHive?
No. DockHive recognises a Svelte app (from svelte together with vite in package.json (without @sveltejs/kit)) and generates the build itself. If your app directory already has a Dockerfile, DockHive builds that instead.
Which port does a Svelte app use on DockHive?
The built files are served by nginx on port 8080. You don't configure a server or a port yourself.
How do I set environment variables for my Svelte app?
Drone spots the variables your app needs. Set the values in the DockHive console, with hivepod deploy --env KEY=value, or from your AI agent over MCP. Secrets and .env files are never uploaded.
Does every push redeploy my Svelte app?
Yes. After the first successful deploy Drone saves the working setup, and every push to the connected GitHub repository redeploys automatically.
More deploy guides
Ship your Svelte app today
Start on the Free Tier. The Developer Plan is $3/month. See pricing