---
title: "How to Deploy a Next.js App with Cloudflare: A Step-by-Step Guide"
description: "Learn how to deploy a Next.js app on a server with Cloudflare, enabling free SSL, secure HTTPS, and global domain access in minutes."
slug: "how-to-deploy-a-nextjs-app-with-cloudflare-a-step-by-step-guide"
url: "https://furkanbaytekin.dev/blogs/how-to-deploy-a-nextjs-app-with-cloudflare-a-step-by-step-guide"
author: "Furkan Baytekin"
category: "Software"
tags: []
published: 2025-09-30T11:23:18Z
updated: 2025-09-30T11:23:18Z
readTime: 3
cover: "https://myblogcms.furkanbaytekin.dev/uploads/cover/how-to-deploy-a-nextjs-app-with-cloudflare-a-step-by-step-guide+1759231398074"
---

Deploying a Next.js application to a server and connecting it to a domain using Cloudflare is straightforward. This guide ensures your app is live, secure with free HTTPS SSL/TLS, and optimized. Follow these steps to deploy globally.

## Prerequisites

- A server with SSH access
- A Next.js project in a Git repository (e.g., GitHub)
- A domain name (optional: buy via Cloudflare)
- A Cloudflare account

## Step 1: Connect to Your Server via SSH

Access your server.

```bash
ssh -p [PORT] user@server
```

## Step 2: Clone Your Project

Clone your repository.

```bash
git clone [REPO_ADDRESS]
# Example: git clone https://github.com/Elagoht/ninitarch.git
```

Or with GitHub CLI:

```bash
gh repo clone [USER]/[REPO]
# Example: gh repo clone Elagoht/ninitarch
```

## Step 3: Navigate to Your Project Directory

Change directory.

```bash
cd [YOUR_PROJECT]
# Example: cd ninitarch
```

## Step 4: Build Your Next.js Project

Install and build.

```bash
npm install
npm run build
```

## Step 5: Keep Your App Running with Screen

Install `screen` if needed:

```bash
apt install screen
# Use dnf, pacman, or zypper per distribution
```

Create a session:

```bash
screen -S [PROJECT_ALIAS]
# Example: screen -S ninitarch
```

## Step 6: Start Your App

Run on a port (e.g., 3234).

```bash
npm run start -- -p 3234
```

Access at `http://[YOUR_SERVER_IP]:3234`. Detach with `Ctrl+A`, `Ctrl+D`.

## Step 7: Set Up Your Domain with Cloudflare

Purchase a domain if needed. Connect to Cloudflare by updating nameservers. Cloudflare provides free HTTPS SSL/TLS for secure connections.

## Step 8: Create a Cloudflare Tunnel

1. Log in at dash.cloudflare.com.
2. Press `Ctrl+K`, type `tunnels`, go to **Zero Trust | Network | Tunnels**.
3. Click **Create Tunnel**, select **Cloudflared**, name it (e.g., `ninitarch`).
4. Choose **Docker**, copy the command with token (keep private):

   ```bash
   docker run cloudflare/cloudflared:latest tunnel --no-autoupdate run --token eyJh...
   ```

5. Modify to:

   ```bash
   docker run -d --restart=always --network=host cloudflare/cloudflared:latest tunnel --no-autoupdate run --token eyJh...
   ```

6. Run it for an ID output.

## Step 9: Connect the Tunnel to Your App

1. Go to **Published application routes**.
2. Click **Add a published application route**.
3. Add subdomain (e.g., `ninitarch`) and domain (e.g., `furkanbaytekin.dev`).
4. Select **HTTP**, enter `localhost:3234`.
5. Save.

## Step 10: Verify Your Deployment

Your app is live at `https://[SUBDOMAIN].[YOUR_DOMAIN]` with free HTTPS SSL/TLS from Cloudflare. Propagation may take 48 hours.

## Why Use Cloudflare?

Cloudflare offers free HTTPS SSL/TLS for security, DDoS protection, caching, and tunneling, enhancing your Next.js app’s performance and safety.

## Conclusion

You’ve deployed a Next.js app with free HTTPS SSL/TLS via Cloudflare, ensuring secure, global access. Explore Cloudflare’s settings for more optimization.

---

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