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Hosting 🏠

Robo.js is built to work seamlessly with RoboPlay, a WavePlay service. But hey, we won't judge if you prefer to host it on another Node-supporting platform! This guide will show you the ropes of hosting your Robo.js, ensuring your creation stays up and running 24/7, even when your computer takes a nap.

Heads up: RoboPlay is currently invite-only, but keep an eye out for when it opens up to the public!

Deploying to RoboPlay 🚀​

Robo.js and RoboPlay are a match made in heaven, so deploying your code is a breeze. Just run robo deploy (or npm run deploy if you bootstrapped with create-robo):

npm run deploy

This command will optimize your source code and host it for free on RoboPlay. First-time deployers will be guided through a quick setup, including choosing a slot.

Robo slots 🎰​

Every account gets 2 free Microbot slots and can buy unlimited Mecha slots.

Microbot: A free, lightweight slot for your Robo. It's perfect for small bots that don't need much power.

  • 100MB size limit
  • Limited battery life
  • Might take a nap in idle mode to save energy

Mecha: A powerful slot for your Robo. It's perfect for large bots that need lots of power 24/7.

  • 1GB size limit
  • Unlimited battery power
  • Speedy CPU

Link your Robo's code to any of these slots, giving your software the hardware it deserves! Buying a Mecha? Choose to upgrade an existing Microbot (keeping your config intact) or get a new Mecha slot.

Upgrading an existing Microbot? You'll get a new Microbot slot, so you'll always have 2 free Microbots for tinkering!

Self-hosting 🏢​

Not feeling RoboPlay? No worries! Robo.js plays nice with any Node-supporting host, like W3Schools' Full Stack Spaces.

Building 🛠️​

Some hosts might need you to run robo build before or after uploading your code. This step compiles your source code into an optimized production format, especially important for TypeScript users.

npm run build

Starting 🏁​

After building your Robo, fire it up with the robo start command. If you used our interactive CLI, start is already in your package.json scripts:

npm start

Remember to set up your environment variables before starting your Robo! Check out the Environment variables page for more info. You'll need to set NODE_ENV to "production" to run your Robo in production mode.

Extra tidbits 📌​

Don't forget to invite your Robo to a Discord server! Check out the Adding to Discord servers page for all the deets.