Building and Running a Node.js App in Plesk
Learn how to install packages, run a build and start your Node.js app using the Node.js tool in Plesk. This is for projects that have a package.json file and their own server, such as Express or Next.js apps.
Steps
- Upload your project without its node_modules folder. See Uploading Your AI-Built Project to Plesk
- Log in to Plesk via your Zeniar Portal
- Select Websites & Domains from the left-hand menu
- Click Node.js under Dev Tools. If you have more than one domain, expand the domain you'd like to update first
- Click the number next to Node.js Version and select the version your project needs
- Check that Application Root is the folder that contains your package.json file, for example /httpdocs
- Set Document Root to the folder that holds your public files, for example /httpdocs/public. It must be inside the application root
- Set Application Mode to production
- Click the file name next to Application Startup File and enter the file that starts your app, for example app.js or server.js
- Click Enable Node.js
- Click NPM install and wait for it to finish
- If your project has a build step, click Run script, enter build and run it
- Click Restart App
- Visit your domain in a web browser to check that your app loads
Important: Click Restart App every time you upload new files or change a setting. Your changes do not take effect until the app restarts.
Please note: If you are not sure which file starts your app or whether it has a build step, ask your AI tool: What is the startup file for this app, and does it need a build command?
Note: A site built with React, Vue or Vite that has no server of its own does not need Node.js on the hosting. Build it first, then upload the contents of the dist or build folder as a normal website.
Please note: Node.js is not included with WordPress hosting plans. If you cannot see Node.js under Dev Tools, your plan does not include it.
Your Node.js app is now built and running on your domain.