How to deploy a React app to Netlify

Friday, January 9, 2026

#react #netlify #deployment #hosting #cicd

Deploying React applications requires a hosting platform that supports static files, provides HTTPS, and handles client-side routing properly. As the creator of CoreUI with over 12 years of React experience since 2014, I’ve deployed numerous production applications to various hosting platforms. Netlify is a popular choice for React apps offering automatic builds from Git, instant rollbacks, and built-in CDN with zero configuration. The deployment process connects your Git repository to Netlify for automatic deployments on every push.

Connect your Git repository to Netlify for automatic deployment with continuous integration.

Method 1: Deploy via Netlify Dashboard

Build your React app locally:

npm run build

Sign up at netlify.com
Click “Add new site” → “Import an existing project”
Connect your Git provider (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
Configure build settings:
- Build command: npm run build
- Publish directory: build
Click “Deploy site”

Method 2: Deploy via Netlify CLI

# Install Netlify CLI
npm install -g netlify-cli

# Login to Netlify
netlify login

# Initialize and deploy
netlify init

# Or deploy manually
npm run build
netlify deploy --prod

Configure client-side routing - Create public/_redirects:

/*    /index.html   200

Set environment variables in Netlify Dashboard:

Site settings → Build & deploy → Environment → Edit variables
Add variables like REACT_APP_API_URL

Best Practice Note

The _redirects file ensures client-side routing works correctly by redirecting all routes to index.html. Netlify automatically provides HTTPS and a CDN. Use branch deploys for preview environments—each Git branch gets its own URL. Enable deploy previews for pull requests to test changes before merging. This is how we deploy CoreUI React templates—Git-based continuous deployment with automatic builds, preview URLs for testing, and instant production deployments.

Speed up your responsive apps and websites with fully-featured, ready-to-use open-source admin panel templates—free to use and built for efficiency.

About the Author

Łukasz Holeczek, Founder of CoreUI, is a seasoned Fullstack Developer and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. As the lead developer for all JavaScript, React.js, and Vue.js products at CoreUI, they specialize in creating open-source solutions that empower developers to build better and more accessible user interfaces.

With expertise in TypeScript, JavaScript, Node.js, and modern frameworks like React.js, Vue.js, and Next.js, Łukasz combines technical mastery with a passion for UI/UX design and accessibility. CoreUI’s mission is to provide developers with tools that enhance productivity while adhering to accessibility standards.

Łukasz shares its extensive knowledge through a blog with technical software development articles. It also advises enterprise companies on building solutions from A to Z. Through CoreUI, it offers professional services, technical support, and open-core products that help developers and businesses achieve their goals.

Learn more about CoreUI’s solutions and see how your business can benefit from working with us.