How do I create account and deploy first site?

# Step 1: Get Started with Netlify 1. Visit [netlify.com](https://www.netlify.com/) and sign up for a free account. 2. In the dashboard, select **Add new site > Import an existing project** or use **Netlify Drop** (drag & drop a folder/zip). - For demo: Click **Deploy to Netlify** on [netlify-feature-tour](https://github.com/netlify/netlify-feature-tour) repo. 3. Authorize GitHub if prompted, select repo, use default build settings. 4. Click **Deploy site**. Wait for build, note the live URL (e.g., `random-name.netlify.app`). 5. Customize site name in **Site settings > General > Site details > Site name**. This deploys a static site instantly.

How do I set up continuous deployment from git?

# Step 2: Connect Git Repository 1. Ensure your project is in a GitHub repo (push if not). 2. In Netlify dashboard: **Add new site > Import existing project > GitHub**. 3. Select repo, set **Branch: main**, **Build command: npm run build** (or auto-detect), **Publish directory: dist** (adjust per framework). 4. Click **Deploy site**. 5. Push changes to `main`: Netlify auto-builds/deploys. For existing site: **Site settings > Build & deploy > Continuous deployment > Link repository**. Test: Edit file, commit/push, check **Deploys** tab.

How do I configure builds and env variables?

# Step 3: Customize Builds 1. Go to **Site settings > Build & deploy > Environment**. 2. Add variables: **Name: MY_API_KEY**, **Value: your-secret**, Scope: All scopes. 3. In `netlify.toml` (repo root): ```toml [build] command = "npm run build" publish = "dist" [build.environment] MY_VAR = "value" ``` 4. Commit/push: Triggers rebuild with vars. 5. Test: Use `process.env.MY_API_KEY` in code. View logs: **Deploys > Select deploy > Build logs**.

How do I implement forms and functions?

# Step 4: Add Serverless Features **Forms:** 1. Add `data-netlify="true" name="contact"` to ` `. 2. **Site settings > Forms > Enable forms**. 3. Deploy, submit form, check **Forms > contact** for submissions. **Functions:** 1. Create `netlify/functions/hello.js`: ```js exports.handler = async () => ({ statusCode: 200, body: 'Hello!' }); ``` 2. Add `_redirects`: `/api/* / .netlify/functions/:splat` 3. Deploy, visit `/api/hello`. Use env vars in functions.

How do I develop locally with netlify cli?

# Step 5: Local Dev and CLI Mastery 1. Install CLI (Node 20+): `npm install -g netlify-cli`. 2. `netlify login` (browser auth). 3. In project: `netlify link` (link to site). 4. `netlify dev` (local server, functions, forms). 5. Test: localhost:8888/.netlify/functions/hello. 6. Deploy: `netlify deploy --prod`. 7. Env: `netlify env:set KEY value`. Debug: `netlify status`, `netlify logs`.

Master Netlify: Deploy & Manage Sites in 5 Steps

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Instant Toolkit

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Step-by-Step Guide

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Step 1: Get Started with Netlify

Visit netlify.com and sign up for a free account.
In the dashboard, select Add new site > Import an existing project or use Netlify Drop (drag & drop a folder/zip).
- For demo: Click Deploy to Netlify on netlify-feature-tour repo.
Authorize GitHub if prompted, select repo, use default build settings.
Click Deploy site. Wait for build, note the live URL (e.g., random-name.netlify.app).
Customize site name in Site settings > General > Site details > Site name.

This deploys a static site instantly.

Why this step matters:

-Establishes core deployment workflow quickly
-Provides hands-on experience with live hosting

15-30 minutes

Netlify Account, Browser, GitHub Account

$0

Definition of Done

•Netlify account created
•First site deployed and accessible via live URL
•Site name customized

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Skipping GitHub authorization

→Click 'Connect to GitHub' and grant full repo access

❌ Using wrong folder for drag & drop

→Zip the built/dist folder (e.g., _site or dist)

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🌐 Helpful Websites

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Master Netlify: Deploy & Manage Sites in 5 Steps