Build & Deploy

Build and Deploy on Koyeb

Koyeb provides multiple ways to deploy your applications, giving you the flexibility to choose the deployment method that best fits your workflow. Whether you're working with a git repository, deploying from your local machine, or using pre-built Docker images, Koyeb has you covered.

Deployment methods

Koyeb supports three primary deployment methods:

Deploy from GitHub

Connect your GitHub repository to Koyeb for automated, git-driven deployments with built-in continuous deployment. Each time you push or merge changes to your production branch, Koyeb automatically builds and deploys your application.

Key features:

Learn more about deploying with GitHub

Deploy a Project Directory

Use the Koyeb CLI to deploy your application directly from your local project directory without requiring an intermediary git service or container registry.

Key features:

  • Deploy directly from your machine
  • No git repository required
  • Ideal for rapid prototyping and testing
  • Uses the same build process as git deployments

Learn more about deploying a project directory

Deploy Pre-built Docker Images

Deploy applications using Docker images from public or private container registries. This method gives you complete control over your build environment and allows you to integrate with your existing CI/CD pipeline.

Key features:

  • Support for any Docker-compatible registry
  • Private registry support with Secrets
  • Full control over the build environment
  • Override entrypoint, command, and arguments at deployment time

Learn more about deploying pre-built Docker images

Build methods

When deploying from GitHub or a project directory, Koyeb offers two build methods to transform your source code into a runnable container image:

Buildpack Builder

The buildpack builder uses cloud native buildpacks (opens in a new tab) to automatically detect your application's language and dependencies, then builds a container image without requiring a Dockerfile.

How it works:

  1. Analyzes your project files to detect the language and framework
  2. Installs required dependencies automatically
  3. Packages your application into an OCI-compliant container image
  4. Deploys the image to the Koyeb platform

Supported languages:

Customization options:

  • Custom build commands (executed after automated build steps)
  • Custom run commands or Procfile support
  • Environment variables
  • Work directory configuration for monorepos

Learn more about the buildpack build process

Dockerfile Builder

The Dockerfile builder uses a Dockerfile in your repository to build your application, giving you complete control over dependencies, build steps, and the runtime environment.

How it works:

  1. Locates the Dockerfile in your repository (configurable path)
  2. Executes the Docker build process using standard Docker tools
  3. Produces an OCI-compliant container image
  4. Deploys the image to the Koyeb platform

Customization options:

  • Custom Dockerfile location
  • Multi-stage build support with target stage selection
  • Override entrypoint, command, and arguments
  • Environment variables
  • Work directory configuration for monorepos

Learn more about the Dockerfile build process

Additional features

Private Container Registries

Deploy images from private registries by creating Secrets with your registry credentials. Koyeb supports:

  • Azure Container Registry (ACR)
  • DockerHub private repositories
  • DigitalOcean Container Registry
  • GCP Container Registry
  • GitHub Container Registry (ghcr.io)
  • GitLab Container Registry
  • Any Docker-compatible registry

Learn more about private container registry secrets

Configuration files

Koyeb supports various configuration approaches:

  • Procfile: Define your application's run command in a Procfile at your repository root
  • Environment variables: Configure application settings through environment variables
  • Work directories: Deploy from subdirectories for monorepo support

Learn more about configuration files

Learn more about monorepo deployments

Build logs

Every git-driven deployment generates build logs that help you understand the build process and troubleshoot issues. Build logs are stored for 30 days and can be accessed through the control panel (opens in a new tab) or the Koyeb CLI.

Testing builds locally

For buildpack-based deployments, you can reproduce the build process locally using the pack CLI. This is useful for troubleshooting and testing before pushing to production.

pack build -B koyeb/builder <YOUR_IMAGE_NAME>

Learn more about testing builds locally

Next steps

Ready to deploy your application? Choose the deployment method that works best for you:

StreamlitBuild from Git