version: "1.0.1" name: netlify-cli-and-deploy description: Guide for using the Netlify CLI and deploying sites. Use when installing the CLI, linking sites, deploying (Git-based or manual), managing environment variables, or running local development. Covers netlify dev, netlify deploy, Git vs non-Git workflows, and environment variable management.

Netlify CLI and Deployment

Installation

npm install -g netlify-cli    # Global (for local dev)
npm install netlify-cli -D    # Local (for CI)

Requires Node.js 18.14.0+.

Authentication

netlify login       # Opens browser for OAuth
netlify status      # Check auth + linked site status

For CI, set NETLIFY_AUTH_TOKEN environment variable instead.

Linking a Site

Check if already linked with netlify status. If not:

# Interactive
netlify link
 
# By Git remote (if using Git)
netlify link --git-remote-url https://github.com/org/repo
 
# Create new site
netlify init           # With Git CI/CD setup
netlify init --manual  # Without Git CI/CD

Site ID is stored in .netlify/state.json. Add .netlify to .gitignore.

Deploying

Git-Based Deploys (Continuous Deployment)

Set up with netlify init. Automatic deploys trigger on push/PR:

• Push to production branch → production deploy
• Open PR → deploy preview with unique URL
• Push to other branches → branch deploy

Build runs on Netlify's servers. Configure build settings in netlify.toml.

Manual / Local Deploys (No Git Required)

Build locally, then upload:

netlify deploy          # Draft deploy (preview URL)
netlify deploy --prod   # Production deploy
netlify deploy --dir=dist  # Specify output directory

This works without Git — useful for prototypes, local-only projects, or CI pipelines.

Local Development

Option 1: netlify dev

netlify dev

Wraps your framework's dev server and provides:

• Environment variable injection
• Functions and edge functions
• Redirects and headers processing

Option 2: Netlify Vite Plugin (Vite-based projects)

For projects using Vite (React SPA, TanStack Start, SvelteKit, Remix), the Vite plugin provides Netlify platform primitives directly in the framework's dev server:

npm install @netlify/vite-plugin

// vite.config.ts
import netlify from "@netlify/vite-plugin";
export default defineConfig({ plugins: [netlify()] });

Then run your normal dev command (npm run dev) — no netlify dev wrapper needed. This gives you access to Blobs, DB, Functions, and environment variables during development.

See the netlify-frameworks skill for framework-specific local dev guidance.

Environment Variables

CLI Management

# Set
netlify env:set API_KEY "value"
netlify env:set API_KEY "value" --secret              # Hidden from logs
netlify env:set API_KEY "value" --context production   # Context-specific
 
# Get
netlify env:get API_KEY
 
# List
netlify env:list
netlify env:list --plain > .env                        # Export to file
 
# Import from file
netlify env:import .env
 
# Delete
netlify env:unset API_KEY

Context Scoping

Variables can be scoped to deploy contexts:

netlify env:set API_URL "https://api.prod.com" --context production
netlify env:set API_URL "https://api.staging.com" --context deploy-preview
netlify env:set DEBUG "true" --context branch:feature-x

Accessing in Code

• Server-side (Functions): Use Netlify.env.get("VAR") (preferred) or process.env.VAR
• Client-side (Vite): Only VITE_-prefixed vars via import.meta.env.VITE_VAR
• Client-side (Astro): Only PUBLIC_-prefixed vars via import.meta.env.PUBLIC_VAR

Never use `VITE_` or `PUBLIC_` prefix for secrets — these are exposed to the browser.

Useful Commands