Deploy Strapi CMS to Google Cloud in Minutes

Strapi, an open-source headless CMS, is well-suited for deployment on Google Cloud Platform (GCP), offering scalability and ease of use. This guide explains how to download and set up Strapi on GCP using Compute Engine, with optional integration of Cloud SQL and Cloud Storage.

GCP brings several benefits for Strapi:

• Cost-Effective: Offers a free tier and pay-as-you-go pricing.

• Scalability: Adjust resources with Compute Engine.

• Storage: Use Cloud Storage for file uploads.

• Database: Cloud SQL supports PostgreSQL and MySQL.

Prepare these before starting:

• GCP Account: Sign up at cloud.google.com if needed.

• Node.js: Install version 18+ locally.

• Git: Verify with git --version.

• SSH Client: Use an SSH tool for Compute Engine access.

• GCP SDK: Install with gcloud init to configure your project.

Follow these steps to set up Strapi on GCP:

Step 1: Create a Compute Engine Instance

• Log in to the GCP Console and search for Compute Engine.
• Click “Create Instance,” choose Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, and select e2-small (2GB RAM minimum for Strapi).
• Create or select an SSH key pair and configure a firewall rule to allow ports 22, 80, and 1337.

Step 2: Connect to the Instance

• Use SSH with gcloud compute ssh --zone your-zone your-instance-name
• Update the system with sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 3: Install Node.js and Dependencies

• Install Node.js with curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo -E bash - and sudo apt install -y nodejs
• Verify with node -v
• Install Git with sudo apt install -y git

Step 4: Install Strapi

• Navigate to your home directory with cd ~ .
• Run npx create-strapi-app@latest strapi-project --quickstart to create a project.
• Set up the admin user as prompted.

Step 5: Configure the Database

• Create a Cloud SQL instance (e.g., PostgreSQL) in the GCP Console.
• Edit config/database.js with your Cloud SQL connection string.
• Example: { "defaultConnection": "default", "connections": { "default": { "connector": "bookshelf", "settings": { "client": "postgres", "host": "/cloudsql/your-project:your-region:your-instance", "port": 5432, "database": "strapi", "username": "your-username", "password": "your-password" }, "options": { "ssl": false } } } }
• Install the client (e.g., npm install pg) if needed.

Step 6: Build and Start Strapi

• Build the admin panel with npm run build.
• Start the server with npm run start or use PM2 with npm install -g pm2 and pm2 start npm -- start.
• Access Strapi at http://your-instance-ip:1337.

Step 7: Set Up Cloud Storage (Optional)

• Create a Cloud Storage bucket in the GCP Console.
• Install the Cloud Storage plugin with npm install @strapi/provider-upload-google-cloud-storage
• Configure it in plugins.js with your service account key, bucket name, and region (see Strapi docs).

Resolve these potential problems:

• SSH Connection Fails: Check firewall rules and SSH key setup.

• Strapi Won’t Start: Verify Node.js version and database connectivity.

• Cloud SQL Errors: Ensure the instance is in the same region and network settings allow access.

• Storage Issues: Confirm bucket permissions and plugin configuration.

Enhance your setup with these ideas:

• Use PM2: Manage Strapi with pm2 save for auto-restart.

• Monitor with Cloud Monitoring: Track performance in the GCP Console.

• Backup Cloud SQL: Set up automated backups in the Cloud SQL settings.

• Secure Access: Use a load balancer with HTTPS.

Take your GCP deployment further:

• Custom Domains: Map a domain with Cloud DNS.

• Auto-Scaling: Use Managed Instance Groups.

• SSL: Enable HTTPS with Google Managed Certificates.

Deploying Strapi on GCP with Compute Engine, Cloud SQL, and Cloud Storage offers a scalable and cost-effective CMS solution. By creating an instance, installing Strapi, and configuring your database and storage, you can launch a robust site. With monitoring and advanced options, your Strapi deployment will thrive on GCP.

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