How to containerize almost any Next.js app

I don't really know why you should want to do it, but if you want...

Our Plan

1. Install Docker - https://www.docker.com/ (download for your OS + few mouse clicks)
2. Create Next.js App - https://nextjs.org/ (in any terminal npx create-next-app@latest)

Preparation for containerization

First of all, in root directory of your Next application (I hope you already have got Next App) you should create Dockerfile with name Dockerfile and put inside following lines:

# Build Stage
FROM node:18-alpine AS BUILD_IMAGE
WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm ci
COPY . .
RUN npm run build


# Production Stage
FROM node:18-alpine AS PRODUCTION_STAGE
WORKDIR /app
COPY --from=BUILD_IMAGE /app/package*.json ./
COPY --from=BUILD_IMAGE /app/.next ./.next
COPY --from=BUILD_IMAGE /app/public ./public
COPY --from=BUILD_IMAGE /app/node_modules ./node_modules
ENV NODE_ENV=production
EXPOSE 3000
CMD ["npm", "start"]

Containerization

In any terminal go to your Next app folder (actually, you already should be here) and type

docker build -t my-great-app ./

this command will create docker image (it's like OS with your app) for you, and after that, only one step you should - run your created image (created OS) in container (it's like in virtual machine)

ERROR if something goes wrong and you met "Docker-credential-desktop executable file not found in $PATH" error in terminal, just try https://stackoverflow.com/a/65896682 and everything should be fixed.

Starting

docker run -p 3000:3000 my-great-app

This command will run your app on http://localhost:3000

That's it!

If everything work well - your welcome! If not - lets discuss...