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Node & Python apps for beginners

A Node or Python app is a program that runs on the server and answers requests (dynamic). That sounds like a lot to set up — but OrbixPanel’s Deploy from Git does the whole chain for you. Here’s what’s actually happening, so it’s not a black box.

Deploy from Git clones, installs, builds and runs your app as a service behind a reverse proxy Your repo code on GitHub Panel builds + runs install deps, start as a service on a port (e.g. 3000) Reverse proxy api.you.com → port 3000 Live + SSL one click: Deploy from Git

Two words worth knowing

  • Port — your app listens on a numbered “door” on the server, like 3000. That’s internal; visitors never type a port.
  • Reverse proxy — the server’s front desk (nginx). It takes requests for api.yoursite.com on the normal web port and quietly forwards them to your app’s port. OrbixPanel sets this up so your app gets a clean domain with HTTPS.

Deploy it (the easy way)

  1. Push your app to a Git repo (keep package.json / requirements.txt at the root).
  2. In OrbixPanel: Apps → Deploy from Git → paste the repo URL (add a token for a private repo).
  3. Pick the runtime (Node/Python), the port your app listens on, and a domain or subdomain.
  4. Deploy. The panel clones, installs dependencies, builds, and starts it as a service that restarts itself if it crashes — then wires the domain + SSL.

To ship an update later, just Deploy again.

Settings & upkeep

  • Environment variables (database URL, API keys) go in the app’s env editor — see Environment variables & secrets. They’re stored encrypted.
  • Database? Create one first (Databases for beginners) and point your app at it.
  • Start / stop / logs are on the app — the logs are your first stop if it won’t start.
  • Install deps / build / run migrations without SSH: use the app’s Maintenance panel. Full walkthrough: Deploy an API without SSH.

Node vs static, one more time: if your project is a React/Vite frontend, that’s static — you upload the build, no “app” needed. “Node app” here means a backend/server (an API, an SSR site) that keeps running.

Next: Environment variables & secrets →