CLI for Launch

Launch is a deployment platform that enables you to host your Contentstack-powered JAM stack website instantly. Launch hosts websites managed by any CMS (headless or traditional).

You can create a new project in Launch and link it with your GitHub repository. Launch picks that code and deploys your website instantly. Launch also allows you to create a project by directly uploading a project folder or a .zip file.

This step-by-step guide discusses how you can perform different operations in Launch using the CLI.

Prerequisites

• Contentstack account
• CLI installed and configured for AWS (version 1.6.0 and above), Azure (version 1.23.0 and above), or GCP (version 1.31.0 and above)
• CLI authenticated (the cli-launch plugin supports only login-based authentication)
• Access to Launch for your organization
• GitHub account where your website code is hosted

  Note: This prerequisite is applicable only if you are importing a project via GitHub.

Commands

Contentstack Launch lets you perform the following operations in Contentstack CLI:

• Launch (Create a Project)
• Logs
• Functions
• Deployments
• Environments
• Open

Launch (Create a Project)

To begin with, create a project in Launch using the CLI by importing a project from GitHub or uploading a file. To do this, follow the steps given below:

1. Open the terminal and fire the launch command:
   • Run the below command if you are in the current working directory.
     csdx launch

   • If you are in a different directory, provide the path of the current working directory.
     csdx launch --data-dir <path>

     Note: If you choose GitHub to create your project, provide the directory path in the Git repository as the current working directory path.

   Note: Launch automatically identifies Git projects.

2. If your current working directory is not a Git repository, you will be prompted to choose a project type to proceed. Select Continue with GitHub or Continue with FileUpload to proceed.
   
3. Select the organization where you want to create your project.
4. In this step, select a branch if you decided to create your project using GitHub.
5. Enter a name for your project.
6. Enter a name for your Environment or press Enter to proceed with the Default environment.
7. By default, Launch identifies the framework. Select a Framework Preset if you want to change the default framework, and then press Enter.
8. In the Build Command section, perform one of the following:
   • Press Enter if you want to proceed with the default Build command npm run build.
   • Or, enter a new build command or update the existing command if you want to customize the command.
9. Enter the output path in the Output Directory section or press Enter to proceed with the default output path.
10. Enter the server command in the Server Command section or press Enter to proceed.
11. In the next step, follow the instructions provided on screen to choose one or more of the following options to import or add the variables:
    • Import variables from a stack

      Use this option to import environment variables directly from an existing stack in your organization.
      If selected, you’ll be prompted to choose a specific Stack and provide a valid Delivery Token.

    • Manually add custom variables to the list

      You can manually add variables as key-value pairs.
      If selected, after adding key-value pairs, a prompt, Would you like to add more variables.? appears.

      • Enter Y to add another custom variable.
      • Enter n to proceed with the project deployment.

    • Import variables from the .env.local file

      You can import variables from a .env.local file.

      Note: Create a .env.local file in the repo to import variables from your .env.local file. In this file, each key-value pair must be on a separate line using the format KEY=VALUE.

    • Skip adding environment variables

      Allows you to skip these options and create a project without any environment variables.

      Note: The 'Skip adding environment variables' option cannot be combined with other environment variable options. You can either choose 'Skip adding environment variables' or one or more of the other available options.

You have successfully deployed a Launch project using the CLI.

Usage

csdx launch

Options

• -a, --alias=alias_token: [optional] Alias (name) for the delivery token.
• -d, --data-dir=data-dir: [optional] Current working directory.
• -c, --config=config: [optional] Path to the local '.cs-launch.json' file.
• --type=type: [optional] Type of adapters. <options: GitHub|FileUpload>
• -e, --environment=environment: [optional] Environment name for the Launch project.
• -n, --name=name: [optional] Name of the project.
• --branch=branch: [optional] GitHub branch name.
• --build-command=build-command: [optional] Build Command.
• --env-variables=env-variables: [optional] Provide the environment variables in the key:value format, separated by comma. For example: APP_ENV:prod, TEST_ENV:testVal
• --framework=<option>: [optional] Type of framework. <options: Gatsby|NextJs|CRA (Create React App)|CSR (Client-Side Rendered)|Angular|VueJs|Other>
• --org=org: [optional] Provide the organization UID to create a new project or deployment.
• --out-dir=outdir: [optional] Output Directory.
• --variable-type=variable-type: [optional] Provide a variable type. <options: Import variables from a stack|Manually add custom variables to the list|Import variables from the .env.local file|Skip adding environment variables>
• --server-command=serverCommand: [optional] Server Command.

Examples

• To create a Launch project by providing the config file path and file type:
  csdx launch --config <path/to/launch/config/file> --type <options: GitHub|FileUpload>

• To create a Launch project by providing the directory path and file type:
  csdx launch --data-dir <path/of/current/working/dir> --type <options: GitHub|FileUpload>

• To create a Launch project by passing the server command:
  csdx launch --config <path to launch config file> --type <options: GitHub|FileUpload> --name=<value> --environment=<value> --branch=<value> --build-command=<value> --framework=<option> --org=<value> --out-dir=<value> --server-command=<value>

• To create a Launch project by providing a variable type:
  csdx launch --config <path to launch config file> --type <options: GitHub|FileUpload> --name=<value> --environment=<value> --branch=<value> --build-command=<value> --framework=<option> --org=<value> --out-dir=<value> --variable-type="Import variables from a stack" --alias=<value>

• To create a Launch project by providing a variable type and environment variables:
  csdx launch --config <path to launch config file> --type <options: GitHub|FileUpload> --name=<value> --environment=<value> --branch=<value> --build-command=<value> --framework=<option> --org=<value> --out-dir=<value> --variable-type="Manually add custom variables to the list" --env-variables="APP_ENV:prod, TEST_ENV:testVal"

Note: If multiple branches are identified in the configuration, you will be prompted to Choose a branch to proceed with the Launch operations. A single config file can have multiple configurations based on the branch.

Launch (Redeploy an Existing Project)

To redeploy or re-initialize an existing project, run the launch command using the project’s directory path or execute it from the current working directory.

• If the cs-launch.json file is present in the project directory, the existing project will be redeployed.
• If the cs-launch.json file is absent, you will be prompted to create a new project.

Usage

If the cs-launch.json file is present, then run the following command to redeploy from the current working directory:

csdx launch

If you are using GitHub projects, after running the command, you will see a prompt as shown in the screenshot below:

• Press Y to redeploy using the latest commit on GitHub.
• Press n to cancel the process.

If you are using the File Upload projects, after running the command, you will see a prompt as shown in the screenshot below:

• Press Y to redeploy the existing launch project.

  You will be prompted to select a redeployment method, as shown in the screenshot below:

  
  • Select the preferred redeployment method and press Enter.
    • Redeploy with last file upload: Redeploys the last uploaded file.
    • Redeploy with new file: Uploads a new file containing the latest changes to the project.

    Your project will be redeployed.

• Press n to cancel the process.

Options

• -d, --data-dir=data-dir: [optional] Current working directory.
• -e, --environment=environment: [optional] Environment name or UID.
• -c, --config=config: [optional] Path to the local '.cs-launch.json' file.
• --redeploy-latest: [optional] Redeploy the latest commit/code.
  • For 'File Upload' projects, redeploy by uploading the updated files.
  • For 'GitHub' projects, redeploy using the latest commit.
• --redeploy-last-upload: [optional] Redeploy using the last uploaded file (applicable only for the 'File Upload' projects).

Examples

• To redeploy using the project’s directory path, use --data-dir:
  csdx launch --data-dir <project-directory-path>

• To specify either the name or the UID of the environment to be redeployed, use --environment:
  csdx launch --environment <environment name or UID>

• To redeploy an existing GitHub project with the latest commit, use --redeploy-latest:
  csdx launch --redeploy-latest

• To redeploy an existing File Upload project with a new zip file, use --redeploy-latest:
  csdx launch --redeploy-latest

• To redeploy an existing File Upload project with the last uploaded file, use --redeploy-last-upload:
  csdx launch --redeploy-last-upload

• To redeploy an existing File Upload project with the new zip file from a specific path, using a specific config file, use --redeploy-latest, --data-dir and --config:
  csdx launch --data-dir=/root/src/project1  --redeploy-latest 
   --config=/root/configs/project1/dev.json

Using Launch CLI in a CI Environment

The Launch CLI can be utilized within CI environments to trigger redeployments for Launch projects. Follow the steps below to configure and use Launch CLI in your CI pipeline.

Prerequisites

• Environment Setup
  • Use the Launch UI to create the necessary environments for your Launch project. This is a one-time setup process.
  • For detailed steps, refer to the Creating a New Environment guide.
• Configuration in Codebase
  • In the root directory of your project, create a configuration file named cs-launch.json.
  • Use the following structure as a template:
  {
    "project": {
      "uid": "<projectUid>",
      "name": "<projectName>",
      "projectType": "GITHUB", // (Or FILEUPLOAD if it's a FILEUPLOAD-based project)
      "organizationUid": "<organizationUid>",
      "environments": [
        {
          "uid": "<environmentUid>",
          "name": "<environmentName>",
          "frameworkPreset": "OTHER" // Possible values: GATSBY, NEXTJS, CRA, CSR, ANGULAR, VUEJS, OTHER
        }
      ],
      "deployments": [
        {
          "uid": "<deploymentUid of latest or any previous deployment belonging to the particular environment>"
        }
      ]
    }
  }

  You can find the values for projectUid, environmentUid, organizationUid, and deploymentUid by inspecting the network requests made to your deployed site. These values are available in the response headers:

  • x-project-uid
  • x-environment-uid
  • x-org-uid
  • x-deployment-uid

  Commit the cs-launch.json file to your repository.

Triggering Redeployments in CI

Use the following steps to trigger a redeployment using the Launch CLI within your CI environment:

• Set Region

  Configure the CLI to use the appropriate region.

  Example: csdx config:set:region NA

• Authenticate with Launch CLI

  Use the csdx auth:login command to log in.

  Example: csdx auth:login --username youremail@contentstack.com --password *****

• Trigger Redeployment

  Use the following command to redeploy a specific environment:

  Example: csdx launch -c /path/to/project/launch-cli-config/cs-launch.json -e development --redeploy-latest

Note: The Launch CLI exits with a non-zero status code if the deployment fails. Ensure your CI pipeline is configured to handle this appropriately.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate Launch redeployments into your CI/CD pipeline, enhancing automation and deployment efficiency.

Logs

You can fetch the previous deployment logs and the latest server logs for Launch projects in CLI using the launch:logs command.

1. Open a terminal and fire the launch:logs command:
   csdx launch:logs

2. Select the organization where you created the project.
3. Then, select your project for which you want to fetch the logs.
4. Select the required environment.
You have successfully fetched the logs for your selected project.

Usage

csdx launch:logs

Options

• -d, --data-dir=data-dir: Current working directory.
• -c, --config=config: Path to the local '.cs-launch.json' file.
• -e, --environment=environment: Environment name or UID.
• --deployment=deployment: Deployment number or UID.
• --type=type: Type of flags to show logs. By default, these are server logs. Options [d - deployment logs, s - server logs]

Note: If you do not pass a deployment ID, by default Launch fetches the latest deployment logs.

Examples

• To fetch Launch project logs based on the environment number and type of flags:
  csdx launch:logs -e "environment number or uid" --type "types of flags"

• To fetch Launch project logs based on the environment number and deployment number:
  csdx launch:logs -e "environment number or uid" --deployment "deployment number or uid"

Functions

You can test your Launch project Cloud Functions locally using the launch:functions command in CLI.

Usage

csdx launch:functions

Options

• -d, --data-dir=data-dir: Current working directory.
• -c, --config=config: Path to the local '.cs-launch.json' file.
• -p, --port=port: [default: 3000] Port number.

Examples

• To test your Launch project Cloud Function locally:
  csdx launch:functions

• To test your Launch project Cloud Function locally in a specific port:
  csdx launch:functions -p "port number"

Deployments

You can display the list of deployments for an environment for Launch projects using the launch:deployments command in CLI.

1. Open a terminal and fire the launch:deployments command:
   csdx launch:deployments

2. Select the organization where you created the project.
3. Select your project.
4. Select the environment for which you want to list the deployments.

You have successfully listed the deployments for the selected environment.

Usage

csdx launch:deployments

Options

• -d, --data-dir=data-dir: Current working directory.
• -c, --config=config: Path to the local '.cs-launch.json' file.
• -e, --environment=environment: Environment name or UID.
• -–org=org: [Optional] Provide the organization UID.
• -–project=project: [Optional] Provide the project UID.

Examples

• To list the deployments in your current working directory
  csdx launch:deployments -d "current working directory"

• To list the deployments for a given environment
  csdx launch:deployments -e "environment number or uid"

Environments

You can display the list of environments that are available for a particular project using the launch:environments command in CLI.

1. Open a terminal and fire the launch:environments command:
   csdx launch:environments

2. Select the organization where you created the project.
3. Select your project.

You have successfully listed the environments for the selected project.

Usage

csdx launch:environments

Options

• -d, --data-dir=data-dir: Current working directory.
• -c, --config=config: Path to the local '.cs-launch.json' file.
• -–org=org: [Optional] Provide the organization UID.
• -–project=project: [Optional] Provide the project UID.

Examples

• To list the environments in your current working directory
  csdx launch:environments -d "current working directory"

• To list the environments for a specific project under a given organization
  csdx launch:environments --org=<org UID> --project=<Project UID>

Open

You can open the live site for an environment of your Launch projects using the launch:open command in CLI.

1. Open the terminal and fire the launch:open command:
   csdx launch:open

2. Select the organization where you created the project.
3. Select your project.
4. Select the environment for which you want to view the live site.

You have successfully opened the live site for the selected environment.

Usage

csdx launch:open

Options

• -d, --data-dir=data-dir: Current working directory.
• -c, --config=config: Path to the local '.cs-launch.json' file.
• -e, --environment=environment: Environment name or UID.
• -–org=org: [Optional] Provide the organization UID.
• -–project=project: [Optional] Provide the project UID.

Examples

• To open the website for an environment by passing your current working directory
  csdx launch:open --environment=environment --data-dir <path/of/current/working/dir>

• To open the website for an environment for a given configuration
  csdx launch:open --environment=environment --config <path/to/launch/config/file>

Limitations

• Creating a new Launch environment via the CLI is currently not supported. At this time, environment creation is a one-time setup that must be done through the Launch UI. Once the environment is created, the Launch CLI can be used to trigger redeployments on existing environments.
• Currently, the Launch CLI does not support Bitbucket Cloud as a source provider.