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Step 2 — Add the app from Git and deploy

This step adds the main app (website + API) and deploys it. Follow the screens in order.

Table of contents​

  1. Add a resource
  2. Pick Public Repository
  3. Enter the repo URL
  4. Use Dockerfile and continue
  5. Set the name and domain
  6. Set port 2000
  7. Add MONGODB_URI
  8. Check the env is saved
  9. Deploy and wait
  10. Open the live website
  11. Add an AI key

2.1 Add a resource​

In the project, click + Add Resource.

Click + Add Resource

2.2 Pick Public Repository​

Under Git Based, click Public Repository.

Coolify will clone the code from GitHub and build it.

Click Public Repository

2.3 Enter the repo URL​

Set the repository URL to:

https://github.com/thenbthoughts/ai-notes-xyz-deploy

Click Check repository.

This image builds the website and the API together. When Docker builds, it clones the client and API from GitHub. It does not use folders on your laptop.

Enter the repo URL

2.4 Use Dockerfile and continue​

Set Build Pack to Dockerfile. Leave Base Directory as /.

Click Continue.

Select Dockerfile and click Continue

2.5 Set the name and domain​

On General, set a name (for example ai-notes-xyz-demo).

Set Domains to your public URL, for example https://notes.example.com.

Point that domain at your Coolify server (DNS A record). Coolify can put HTTPS in front of the app.

Click Save.

Enter name and domain

2.6 Set port 2000​

Find Ports Exposes. Set it to 2000.

The app listens on port 2000. That is both the website and /api. Do not use port 3000.

Set Ports Exposes to 2000

2.7 Add MONGODB_URI​

Open Environment Variables. Click + Add.

Add one required variable:

  • Name: MONGODB_URI
  • Value: your MongoDB URL, for example:
mongodb://USERNAME:PASSWORD@HOST:27017/ai-notes-xyz?authSource=admin&directConnection=true

Replace USERNAME, PASSWORD, and HOST with your values.

Keep Available at Buildtime and Available at Runtime checked. Click Save.

MongoDB is the database. The app will not start without a working URL. Coolify does not create MongoDB for you.

Add MONGODB_URI

2.8 Check the env is saved​

You should see MONGODB_URI in the list. The value is hidden. That is normal.

Verify MONGODB_URI is saved

2.9 Deploy and wait​

Click Deploy.

The first build is slow. Coolify clones GitHub, builds the website, then builds the API. Wait until the deploy is green.

If it fails, read the build log. A common cause is a bad MONGODB_URI, or a Git clone error.

Click Deploy

When it is done, Deployments should show Success, and the app should say Running.

Deployed successfully

2.10 Open the live website​

Open your domain in a browser. You should see the AI Notes login page.

Create an account, or log in if you already have one.

Live website login

2.11 Add an AI key​

Go to Settings → API keys.

Add a key for chat:

  • OpenRouter, or
  • Groq, or
  • Ollama, or
  • an OpenAI-compatible key

Click Verify and save. A green Valid badge means it worked.

The app is now running. Stop here if you only want notes, tasks, and chat.

Add an API key in Settings