deployment

Deployment Skill

Deploy to App Platform using GitHub Actions and the app_action workflow.

Philosophy: PUSH Mode Deployment

This skill focuses on PUSH mode — where you define infrastructure as code and GitHub Actions drives deployment.

PULL MODE (Console-driven) — NOT covered by this skill
• Go to DigitalOcean Console → Create App → Point to GitHub
• App Platform auto-generates app spec
• Good for: Quick starts, manual one-offs

PUSH MODE (CLI/Actions-driven) — THIS SKILL
• Define app spec in repo (.do/app.yaml)
• Use GitHub Actions + app_action to deploy
• Good for: CI/CD, automation, GitOps, multi-environment

Tip: For complex projects, consider the planner skill for staged approaches. See root SKILL.md for all skills.

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Quick Decision

Using GitHub Actions? (RECOMMENDED)
├── YES → Use digitalocean/app_action/deploy@v2
│         • Handles spec updates AND code deployments
│         • Manages app creation if doesn't exist
│         • Supports PR previews
│
└── NO (Manual/Scripting)
    ├── Spec changed? → doctl apps update --spec
    └── Code only? → doctl apps create-deployment

Command	Purpose	When to Use
doctl apps create --spec	Create new app	First deployment only
doctl apps update --spec	Update app spec	Config changes
doctl apps create-deployment	Trigger rebuild	Code changes only
app_action v2	Both spec + rebuild	Recommended: Handles everything

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Quick Start: Environment Setup

# 1. Create DigitalOcean projects
doctl projects create --name "myapp-staging" --environment "Staging"
doctl projects create --name "myapp-production" --environment "Production"

# 2. Create GitHub environments
gh api --method PUT repos/:owner/:repo/environments/staging
gh api --method PUT repos/:owner/:repo/environments/production

# 3. Set secrets per environment (user fills in values)
gh secret set DIGITALOCEAN_ACCESS_TOKEN --env staging
gh secret set DIGITALOCEAN_ACCESS_TOKEN --env production
gh variable set DO_PROJECT_ID --env staging --body "PROJECT_ID"
gh variable set DO_PROJECT_ID --env production --body "PROJECT_ID"