How to Deploy SvelteKit: Step-by-Step Guide

To deploy a SvelteKit app, first choose an adapter like @sveltejs/adapter-vercel or @sveltejs/adapter-node. Then, install the adapter, update svelte.config.js, build your app with npm run build, and deploy using your platform's method or run the Node server.

Syntax

Deploying SvelteKit involves configuring an adapter in svelte.config.js. The adapter tells SvelteKit how to prepare your app for the target platform.

• adapter: The package that builds your app for a specific environment (e.g., Vercel, Netlify, Node).
• build command: Usually npm run build to create production files.
• deploy command: Depends on the platform, like vercel deploy or running node build for Node adapter.

javascript

import adapter from '@sveltejs/adapter-vercel';

/** @type {import('@sveltejs/kit').Config} */
const config = {
  kit: {
    adapter: adapter(),
  }
};

export default config;

Example

This example shows how to deploy a SvelteKit app to Vercel using the official adapter.

javascript

import adapter from '@sveltejs/adapter-vercel';

/** @type {import('@sveltejs/kit').Config} */
const config = {
  kit: {
    adapter: adapter()
  }
};

export default config;

Output

No visible output; config sets up deployment for Vercel.

Common Pitfalls

• Forgetting to install the adapter package with npm install.
• Not updating svelte.config.js to use the adapter.
• Running npm run dev instead of npm run build before deploying.
• Using the wrong adapter for your hosting platform.
• Not setting environment variables required by your platform.

javascript

/* Wrong: No adapter configured */
export default {
  kit: {}
};

/* Right: Adapter added */
import adapter from '@sveltejs/adapter-netlify';

export default {
  kit: {
    adapter: adapter()
  }
};

Quick Reference

Step	Command / Action
Install adapter	npm install @sveltejs/adapter-vercel
Update config	Set adapter in svelte.config.js
Build app	npm run build
Deploy	vercel deploy (or platform-specific)
Run Node server (if adapter-node)	node build

Key Takeaways

Always install and configure the correct adapter for your deployment platform.

Run npm run build before deploying to generate production-ready files.

Use platform-specific deploy commands or run the Node server if using adapter-node.

Check environment variables and platform docs for smooth deployment.

Avoid deploying without building or without adapter configuration.