So you’ve got your project in GitHub and Claude Code is helping you ship changes. Now what? Time to press “go live.”
Make sure to read my last article: set up your vibe coding starter pack to follow along & deploy your own app!
That’s where Vercel comes in. It’s a hosting platform that takes your repo and turns it into a running web app with almost zero setup. On the free “Hobby” tier, you can launch prototypes, side projects, and vibe-coded experiments without paying a cent.
Why Vercel?
Instant deploys: Every git push becomes a new live version.
Preview links: Share work-in-progress with teammates before merging.
Framework friendly: React, Next.js, Vite, Svelte: it just works.
Free tier perks: Hobby tier gives you 1GB storage, 125GB bandwidth, and generous preview deploys.
Step 1: Sign up
Head to vercel.com and sign up with your GitHub account.
Authorize Vercel so it can see your repos.
Step 2: Import your project
Click “New Project” → “Import Git Repository.”
Select the repo you made earlier with GitHub Desktop.
Vercel auto-detects the framework (React, Vite, Next.js). If it asks:
Framework preset: pick your stack.
Root directory: leave as / unless your code lives in a subfolder.
Build command: it usually guesses correctly (npm run build).
Output folder: often dist or .next depending on framework.
Step 3: Deploy
Click Deploy. In 30–60 seconds you’ll get a live URL like the sudoku app I recently released:
https://sudoku-flow.vercel.app
That’s your app, live on the internet. Every branch you push gets its own preview link, so you can test features without breaking main.
Step 4: Connect Claude Code to the loop
Here’s the magic combo:
Claude Code: describe changes → approve diff → commit.
GitHub: save history.
Vercel: auto-deploys every push.
The flow is now idea → code → live demo in minutes.
Step 5: Tweak settings (optional but useful)
Environment variables: Add secrets (API keys, DB URLs) under Project Settings → Environment Variables.
Custom domain: Connect your own domain if you want something nicer than vercel.app.
Analytics: Free tier includes basic insights into visitors and speed.
A simple one-week plan
Day 1: Connect your new repo to Vercel, deploy once.
Day 2: Push a small change; confirm auto-deploy works.
Day 3: Add environment variables for a simple API key.
Day 4: Share a preview link with a friend or coworker.
Day 5: Tweak the README to include your new live link.
By the weekend, you’ll have a working app you can share, edit with Claude Code, and re-deploy at will—without paying a dime.
Final thoughts
No-code app platforms like Lovable get you a prototype. Claude Code + GitHub + Vercel gets you a product you own, live on the web, scaling from free hobby projects to serious apps. Your “idea → live app” cycle is now measured in pushes, not platforms.
Check out my Github projects here!
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