Launchfile Docs

Learn Launchfile

A step-by-step course that takes you from a 3-line Launchfile to deploying multi-component apps with databases, secrets, and health checks.

3 modules · 7 lessons · ~30 min read

Start the course

Part 1

Basics

Start from zero. By the end you'll write Launchfiles with databases, environment variables, and secrets.

Your First Launchfile

Three fields and a start command — the simplest valid Launchfile.

Adding a Database

Declare a Postgres dependency and wire it into your app.

Env Vars & Secrets

Configure your app with defaults, required values, and generated secrets.

Part 2

Production-Ready

Everything you need for a production deployment: ports, storage, health checks, and lifecycle commands.

Ports, Storage & Health

Expose endpoints, persist data, and tell providers how to check your app.

Lifecycle Commands

Build, release, start, seed — the full app lifecycle.

Part 3

Advanced

Multi-component apps, cron jobs, prebuilt images, and host access patterns.

Multi-Component Apps

Wire a frontend and backend together with dependency ordering.

Specialized Patterns

Cron jobs, prebuilt images, host access, and optional dependencies.