Deploy Django#
This page explains how to deploy a Django project on Fly.io, the popular deployment platform for developers.
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Framework Overview#
Django is a high-level Python web framework that follows the model-template-view (MTV) architectural pattern. It implements the βbatteries includedβ philosophy, providing robust built-in features for authentication, admin interface, ORM, and security.
Django is particularly suited for data-driven applications, content management systems, and enterprise-grade web applications.
Deployment Configuration#
Project Structure#
Standard Django application structure for deployment:
βββ app/
β βββ __init__.py
β βββ asgi.py
β βββ settings/
β β βββ __init__.py
β β βββ base.py
β β βββ production.py
β βββ urls.py
β βββ wsgi.py
βββ manage.py
βββ requirements.txt
βββ Dockerfile
βββ staticfiles/
βββ media/
### Essential Files Configuration
requirements.txt:
Django==5.0.0
gunicorn==21.2.0
psycopg2-binary==2.9.9
whitenoise==6.6.0
dj-database-url==2.1.0
django-environ==0.11.2
Dockerfile:
FROM python:3.11-slim
# Set environment variables
ENV PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1
ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ENV DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE=app.settings.production
# Set work directory
WORKDIR /app
# Install system dependencies
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
build-essential \
libpq-dev \
&& rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
# Install Python dependencies
COPY requirements.txt .
RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
# Copy project
COPY . .
# Collect static files
RUN python manage.py collectstatic --noinput
# Run migrations
RUN python manage.py makemigrations
EXPOSE 8000
# Start Gunicorn
CMD ["gunicorn", "--bind", "0.0.0.0:8000", "app.wsgi:application"]
app/settings/base.py:
import os
import environ
env = environ.Env()
# Read environment variables
environ.Env.read_env()
SECRET_KEY = env('DJANGO_SECRET_KEY')
DEBUG = env.bool('DJANGO_DEBUG', False)
ALLOWED_HOSTS = env.list('DJANGO_ALLOWED_HOSTS', default=['*'])
INSTALLED_APPS = [
'django.contrib.admin',
'django.contrib.auth',
'django.contrib.contenttypes',
'django.contrib.sessions',
'django.contrib.messages',
'django.contrib.staticfiles',
'whitenoise.runserver_nostatic',
# Add your apps here
]
MIDDLEWARE = [
'django.middleware.security.SecurityMiddleware',
'whitenoise.middleware.WhiteNoiseMiddleware',
'django.contrib.sessions.middleware.SessionMiddleware',
'django.middleware.common.CommonMiddleware',
'django.middleware.csrf.CsrfViewMiddleware',
'django.contrib.auth.middleware.AuthenticationMiddleware',
'django.contrib.messages.middleware.MessageMiddleware',
'django.middleware.clickjacking.XFrameOptionsMiddleware',
]
DATABASES = {
'default': env.db('DATABASE_URL', default='sqlite:///db.sqlite3')
}
STATIC_URL = '/static/'
STATIC_ROOT = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, 'staticfiles')
STATICFILES_STORAGE = 'whitenoise.storage.CompressedManifestStaticFilesStorage'
app/settings/production.py:
from .base import *
DEBUG = False
SECURE_SSL_REDIRECT = True
SECURE_PROXY_SSL_HEADER = ('HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO', 'https')
SESSION_COOKIE_SECURE = True
CSRF_COOKIE_SECURE = True
# HSTS settings
SECURE_HSTS_SECONDS = 31536000
SECURE_HSTS_INCLUDE_SUBDOMAINS = True
SECURE_HSTS_PRELOAD = True
.dockerignore:
*.pyc
*.pyo
*.mo
*.db
*.css.map
*.egg-info
*.sql.gz
.cache
.project
.idea
.pydevproject
.idea/workspace.xml
.DS_Store
.git/
.gitignore
.env
.venv/
env/
venv/
ENV/
staticfiles/
media/
Fly.io Configuration#
fly.toml:
app = "your-django-app"
primary_region = "dfw"
[build]
dockerfile = "Dockerfile"
[env]
PORT = "8000"
DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE = "app.settings.production"
[http_service]
internal_port = 8000
force_https = true
auto_stop_machines = true
auto_start_machines = true
min_machines_running = 1
processes = ["app"]
[[vm]]
cpu_kind = "shared"
cpus = 1
memory_mb = 512
[mounts]
source = "django_media"
destination = "/app/media"
[deploy]
release_command = "python manage.py migrate"
Deployment Process#
Initialize Fly.io application:
fly launch
Configure environment variables:
fly secrets set DJANGO_SECRET_KEY="your-secret-key"
fly secrets set DJANGO_DEBUG="False"
fly secrets set DJANGO_ALLOWED_HOSTS=".fly.dev"
Create and attach PostgreSQL database:
fly postgres create
fly postgres attach <database-name>
Deploy the application:
fly deploy
Database Management#
Run migrations:
fly ssh console -C "python manage.py migrate"
Create superuser:
fly ssh console -C "python manage.py createsuperuser"
Static Files and Media Storage#
Configure WhiteNoise for static files:
STATICFILES_STORAGE = 'whitenoise.storage.CompressedManifestStaticFilesStorage'
STATIC_ROOT = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, 'staticfiles')
For media files, configure volume storage:
fly volumes create django_media --size 1
Security Configuration#
Update settings/production.py:
SECURE_PROXY_SSL_HEADER = ('HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO', 'https')
SECURE_SSL_REDIRECT = True
SESSION_COOKIE_SECURE = True
CSRF_COOKIE_SECURE = True
Configure CORS if needed:
CORS_ALLOWED_ORIGINS = [
"https://your-domain.fly.dev",
]
Monitoring and Logging#
Configure Django logging:
LOGGING = {
'version': 1,
'disable_existing_loggers': False,
'handlers': {
'console': {
'class': 'logging.StreamHandler',
},
},
'root': {
'handlers': ['console'],
'level': 'INFO',
},
}
Monitor application:
fly logs
fly status
## Performance Optimization
Configure Gunicorn workers in gunicorn.conf.py:
import multiprocessing
bind = "0.0.0.0:8000"
workers = multiprocessing.cpu_count() * 2 + 1
worker_class = "gthread"
threads = 2
max_requests = 1000
max_requests_jitter = 50
Implement caching:
CACHES = {
'default': {
'BACKEND': 'django.core.cache.backends.redis.RedisCache',
'LOCATION': env('REDIS_URL'),
}
}
Health Checks#
Create health check view:
# health/views.py
from django.http import JsonResponse
from django.db import connections
from django.db.utils import OperationalError
def health_check(request):
try:
connections['default'].ensure_connection()
return JsonResponse({"status": "healthy"})
except OperationalError:
return JsonResponse({"status": "unhealthy"}, status=500)
Update fly.toml:
[checks]
[checks.health]
port = 8000
type = "http"
interval = "15s"
timeout = "2s"
grace_period = "5s"
method = "GET"
path = "/health"
## Common Issues and Solutions
Static Files Not Serving - Verify STATIC_ROOT configuration - Ensure collectstatic runs in Dockerfile - Check WhiteNoise configuration
Database Connectivity - Verify DATABASE_URL environment variable - Check database instance status - Review connection pool settings
Media Files - Ensure volume is properly mounted - Check file permissions - Verify media URL configuration
This guide provides a comprehensive approach to deploying Django applications on Fly.io. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential for optimal performance.
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