How do I transfer a developed web application, along with Weweb's database, to my own server or hosting provider?

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1

Hello!

I’m not a particularly experienced developer, and I have a question: is it possible to migrate my existing web application (built using WeWeb and Weweb’s database) to my own hosting provider, along with the database? In other words, I’m using the database provided by WeWeb (not Xano or Supabase).

How time-consuming is this process for someone without a technical background?

Even just a general idea of how to do this (and whether it’s possible) – are there any instructions? And will it be possible in future to update my app on an external server (i.e. if I create some new functionality on WeWeb and want to update the web app on my server)? I’d appreciate any advice.

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Hi Alexander :waving_hand:

Here’s the documentation on how to export and self-host a WeWeb frontend: Hosting & Code Export | Documentation

The export and self-hosting of an app using the WeWeb backend is also possible but more complex and we haven’t gotten around to documenting the process yet.

Re the possibility to update your app on an external server, it is technically doable but not straightforward at all and not recommended because the exported code is structured by a machine for a machine and is not organized like a human developer would organize it. Editing these files safely requires in-depth knowledge of WeWeb’s internal logic.

3

Joyce, thank you for your quick reply!

In that case, what would you recommend?

On the one hand, using a fully-fledged development ‘core’ built entirely on WeWeb is very convenient and logical, as it results in a unified and cohesive system. I don’t need to build the backend and frontend logic separately; everything is handled in one place.

On the other hand, I do have a project, but it has a strict requirement that the web application must be hosted on our own server. I started developing the backend on Supabase, but thought that switching to WeWeb’s internal backend would be more logical and efficient. Everything will be developed within a single ‘ecosystem’, and then I’ll be able to deploy the finished web application on my own server.

For the sake of simplicity, should I stick with Supabase?

It would be great to have some sort of (universal) mechanism that would allow non-technical users to deploy applications on their own server. Naturally, the server would need to meet certain technical requirements for deploying a ready-made application and contain all the necessary services and libraries. Ideally, I’d like it to be as simple as installing a WordPress site (I’m very sorry for such a crude comparison, but it’s just to illustrate how much I’d like the deployment to be straightforward) – that is, installation in a few ‘steps’:

  1. Initial installation of the Postgres database
  2. Installation of all necessary scripts and libraries (such as TypeScript, Node.js, JavaScript, etc.)
  3. Installing a special “operating environment” from WeWeb
  4. Migration of the application’s database schema (via migration or another method)
  5. Migration of the front-end and workflow (file structure, scripts, etc.).

Perhaps there could be a special script (a step-by-step installation wizard or something similar) that would allow the web application to be installed quickly.

I realise I’m “asking for too much” and that the development environment needs to be hosted on WeWeb’s servers… but I haven’t yet seen a service like this for non-technical users; I think it would be a major advantage for WeWeb. In my opinion, if it’s possible to no-code develop a fully-fledged application and, on top of that, you’re offered the option to host it on your own server, then the hosting process should also be as ‘no-code’ as possible. In other words, maximum convenience for visual web developers who don’t have full programming skills.

I would be delighted if you could include this feature in your roadmap in the future.

P.S. I once tried to deploy a web application with a backend on a remote server using AI assistant (it wasn’t created using WeWeb), but I never managed to do it. What I need is a comprehensive, ready-to-use guide and/or a universal deployment system created by WeWeb professionals.