My First App on Doprax: From Zero to Deployment

Prerequisites

Before starting this tutorial, you'll need three main things. First, you need a working Python installation (version 3.x is recommended) on your local machine. Second, you must have a GitHub account to host your code repository. Finally, you should have a modern Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like VS Code or a JetBrains IDE with the Gemini Code Assist extension installed. This setup ensures you have the necessary tools for both writing and deploying your application quickly.

The goal here is to get a functioning "Hello World" app with minimal effort, showcasing the power of AI.

Step	Action	Tools/Context
1. Set up Your Environment	Install an IDE (like VS Code or IntelliJ) and the Gemini Code Assist extension.	Gemini Code Assist is free for individuals and helps you write, debug, and understand code.
2. Generate the Code	Create a new Python file (app.py) and use Gemini Code Assist to generate a basic Flask app.	Prompt Example: "Using Python and the Flask framework, create a simple web application with one endpoint / that displays 'Hello from Doprax! My first app is live!'. The app should listen on port 8080."
3. Define Dependencies	Create a requirements.txt file listing all necessary Python packages.	Content: Flask
4. Add the Dockerfile	Create a Dockerfile in the same directory. Ask Gemini to generate it.	Prompt Example: "Create a Dockerfile for the Python Flask app I just created. Use a lightweight base image like python:3.11-slim and expose port 8080."

This is a mandatory step, as modern platforms like Doprax deploy directly from a Git repository.

Step	Action	Tools/Context
1. Create a New Repo	Go to GitHub and create a new public repository (e.g., my-doprax-flask-app). Do not initialize it with a README yet.	GitHub is where your code lives and how Doprax fetches it.
2. Initialize Git Locally	Open your terminal in the app directory and initialize Git.	git init
3. Commit and Push	Add your files, commit them, and link your local repository to the new GitHub repo.	git add . git commit -m "First commit: Flask app and Dockerfile" git branch -M main git remote add origin [Your_GitHub_URL] git push -u origin main

Let's deploy the app.

Step	Action	Tools/Context
1. Create Doprax Account	Sign up for Doprax at doprax.com.
2. Start a New Project	On your Doprax Dashboard, go to 'App Market' -> 'My Apps' and select the option to 'Deploy from Git/GitHub'.	This securely links your Doprax account to your GitHub profile.
3. Select Repository	Authorize Doprax to access your GitHub account if prompted. Then, select your my-doprax-flask-app repository from the list.	Doprax will automatically detect your Dockerfile and Python project type.
4. Configure and Deploy	Review the deployment settings. Since we used a standard Dockerfile exposing port 8080, the defaults should be correct. Click 'Deploy'.	Doprax will build your Docker image and start the deployment. Watch the live log!
5. Your App is Live!	Once the deployment status turns green, click the provided URL to visit your live app!	🎉 Congratulations! You have successfully deployed your first app using a modern, AI-assisted workflow.