Deploying a vibe-coded app, one built largely through AI-assisted prompting rather than manually writing every line, requires the same fundamental steps as any other app: choosing a hosting platform, setting environment variables correctly, and connecting a live domain. The AI helped you write the code, but it doesn’t automatically deploy it for you.
Start by identifying what you actually built
Most vibe-coded apps end up as either a static frontend (plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or a framework like React or Vite) or a frontend paired with a backend that calls an API, often including a call to an AI model itself. Knowing which one you have determines where you can actually host it.
Deploying a frontend-only app
If your app is purely frontend code with no server-side logic, platforms like Vercel, Netlify, or Cloudflare Pages let you deploy directly from a GitHub repository in minutes, often for free at low traffic levels. These platforms handle the build process and give you a live URL automatically.
Deploying an app with a backend or API calls
If your app calls an AI API and needs to keep an API key private, you need actual backend hosting, not just static hosting, since a key embedded directly in frontend code is publicly visible to anyone who opens their browser’s developer tools. Serverless functions, offered by the same platforms above, are usually the simplest way to add this without managing a full server yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Can you deploy a vibe-coded app for free?
Often yes, at least at low traffic levels, using free tiers from platforms like Vercel, Netlify, or Cloudflare Pages.
Do you need to know how to code to deploy a vibe-coded app?
Not extensively, but understanding basic concepts like environment variables and the difference between frontend and backend code helps avoid common mistakes.
Is it safe to put an API key directly in a vibe-coded app’s frontend code?
No, frontend code is visible to anyone using the app, so API keys need to be handled through a backend or serverless function instead.
For more on deploying AI apps, see Talmyn’s AI Tutorials desk.
