Functions /

Deploy functions

This page describes workflows for deploying your functions.

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The deployment preparation process includes both compiling and bundling your TypeScript function files into executable artifacts.

You can use continuous deployment, the Netlify CLI, or the Netlify API to deploy functions.

# Continuous deployment with Git

With continuous deployment, your functions are built if needed and deployed each time you push changes to your Git provider. You can rely on Netlify’s default automatic build process, use your own custom build process on Netlify, or build outside of Netlify.

# Automatic build

Netlify can automatically detect and build your functions from their source files. This is the most common workflow.

To use this option, follow the TypeScript file naming instructions on the get started with functions page.

TypeScript and JavaScript together

If you include TypeScript and JavaScript functions with the same name, for example, my-function.ts and my-function.js, the TypeScript function is ignored while the JavaScript function is deployed. This allows you to handle TypeScript compilation in a custom build command, if preferred. Netlify then bundles and deploys the resulting JavaScript function.

# Custom build

If you want more control over the handling of your function source files, you can use your site’s build command to customize the build process.

Netlify runs your build command before accessing your functions directory to prepare and deploy your functions. This means you can use your build command to override any part of the default preparation process up until the point Netlify deploys executable artifacts.

Here are some examples of customizations you could make to the process:

  • Bundle your functions with tools not available through Netlify such as Webpack or Rollup.
  • Run unit tests to validate your functions before they’re deployed.

If you want your custom build to bypass Netlify’s automated function and dependency preparation entirely, your build process needs to result in Node.js ZIP archives in your functions directory. Netlify will deploy these without modification.

To customize the build process, do one of the following:

  • Include customizations directly in your build command. For example:

    tsc hello/function.ts --outfile netlify/functions/hello.js
    

    This example customizes the TypeScript compilation stage.

  • Invoke scripts through a file called by your build command. For example:

    npm run test:functions && npm run build
    

    Where test:functions is a unit testing script configured in package.json. For more information, visit our Forums for a verified Support Guide on testing your Netlify builds.

# External build

For even more control over the handling of your function source files and dependencies, you can bundle ZIP archives outside of Netlify.

If you put your bundled ZIP archives in your functions directory before you push changes to your Git provider, Netlify will deploy these executable artifacts without modification.

Consider CLI deploys instead

It’s not a best practice to track bundling results in Git. So, if you want to bundle your own ZIP archives, we recommend you use CLI deploys instead of continuous deployment with Git.

# Manual deploys with CLI

Netlify CLI can upload files directly from your local project directory to your site on Netlify.

Common use cases for this workflow:

  • updating a site while builds are stopped
  • deploying to Netlify at the end of external CI tool tasks

Prepare your function dependencies before you deploy with the CLI.

  1. Install your dependencies. This enables Netlify CLI to automatically zip dependencies with your functions for deployment.
  2. Follow the instructions on the CLI page to deploy your site including your functions.

TypeScript and JavaScript together

If you include TypeScript and JavaScript functions with the same name, for example, my-function.ts and my-function.js, the TypeScript function is ignored while the JavaScript function is deployed. This allows you to handle TypeScript compilation locally, if preferred. Netlify then bundles and deploys the resulting JavaScript function.

# File digest deploys with API

Netlify API can upload functions when you use the file digest method for manual deploys.

Common use cases for this workflow:

  • updating a site while builds are stopped
  • automating workflows that connect with other systems

Prepare your functions before you deploy with the API.

  1. Zip each function with its dependencies.
  2. Follow the instructions on the API page to deploy your site including executable artifacts for Netlify Functions.