netlify-cli-and-deploy

name	netlify-cli-and-deploy
description	Guide for using the Netlify CLI and deploying sites. Use when installing the CLI, linking sites, deploying (Git-based or manual), managing environment variables, or running local development. Covers netlify dev, netlify deploy, Git vs non-Git workflows, and environment variable management.

Netlify CLI and Deployment

Installation

npm install -g netlify-cli    # Global (for local dev)
npm install netlify-cli -D    # Local (for CI)

Requires Node.js 18.14.0+.

Authentication

netlify login       # Opens browser for OAuth
netlify status      # Check auth + linked site status

For CI, set NETLIFY_AUTH_TOKEN environment variable instead.

Linking a Site

Check if already linked with netlify status. If not:

# Interactive
netlify link

# By Git remote (if using Git)
netlify link --git-remote-url https://github.com/org/repo

# Create new site
netlify init           # With Git CI/CD setup
netlify init --manual  # Without Git CI/CD

Site ID is stored in .netlify/state.json. Add .netlify to .gitignore.

Deploying

Git-Based Deploys (Continuous Deployment)

Set up with netlify init. Automatic deploys trigger on push/PR:

• Push to production branch → production deploy
• Open PR → deploy preview with unique URL
• Push to other branches → branch deploy

Build runs on Netlify's servers. Configure build settings in netlify.toml.

Manual / Local Deploys (No Git Required)

Build locally, then upload:

netlify deploy          # Draft deploy (preview URL)
netlify deploy --prod   # Production deploy
netlify deploy --dir=dist  # Specify output directory

This works without Git — useful for prototypes, local-only projects, or CI pipelines.

Local Development

Option 1: netlify dev

netlify dev

Wraps your framework's dev server and provides:

• Environment variable injection
• Functions and edge functions
• Redirects and headers processing

Option 2: Netlify Vite Plugin (Vite-based projects)

For projects using Vite (React SPA, TanStack Start, SvelteKit, Remix), the Vite plugin provides Netlify platform primitives directly in the framework's dev server:

npm install @netlify/vite-plugin

// vite.config.ts
import netlify from "@netlify/vite-plugin";
export default defineConfig({ plugins: [netlify()] });

Then run your normal dev command (npm run dev) — no netlify dev wrapper needed. This gives you access to Blobs, DB, Functions, and environment variables during development.

See the netlify-frameworks skill for framework-specific local dev guidance.

Environment Variables

CLI Management

# Set
netlify env:set API_KEY "value"
netlify env:set API_KEY "value" --secret              # Hidden from logs
netlify env:set API_KEY "value" --context production   # Context-specific

# Get
netlify env:get API_KEY

# List
netlify env:list
netlify env:list --plain > .env                        # Export to file

# Import from file
netlify env:import .env

# Delete
netlify env:unset API_KEY

Context Scoping

Variables can be scoped to deploy contexts:

netlify env:set API_URL "https://api.prod.com" --context production
netlify env:set API_URL "https://api.staging.com" --context deploy-preview
netlify env:set DEBUG "true" --context branch:feature-x

Accessing in Code

• Server-side (Functions): Use Netlify.env.get("VAR") (preferred) or process.env.VAR
• Client-side (Vite): Only VITE_-prefixed vars via import.meta.env.VITE_VAR
• Client-side (Astro): Only PUBLIC_-prefixed vars via import.meta.env.PUBLIC_VAR

Never use VITE_ or PUBLIC_ prefix for secrets — these are exposed to the browser.

Useful Commands

Command	Description
netlify status	Auth and site link status
netlify dev	Start local dev server
netlify build	Run build locally (mimics Netlify environment)
netlify deploy	Draft deploy
netlify deploy --prod	Production deploy
netlify dev:exec <cmd>	Run command with Netlify environment loaded
netlify env:list	List environment variables
netlify clone org/repo	Clone, link, and set up in one step