The server setup described in this article establishes a ReactJS frontend that communicates with a WordPress backend. An NGINX reverse proxy server is used to appropriately handle requests for the NodeJS and Apache servers. Finally, the script generates and enables an SSL via CertBot. All of this is accomplished by running a single script!
You can also watch this setup tutorial on YouTube.
This configuration is useful for both websites and web apps, and the backend can be used for mobile apps as well. Leveraging WordPress’s extensive library, the core plugin that is automatically uploaded and activated via the install.sh script allows developers to start building at a further stage with fully functioning authentication, API endpoints, and database structure. Further, clients are able to easily change content via the WordPress admin panel, an ergonomic method that removes the requirement for the developer to be involved in content updates.
A VPS, or Virtual Private Server, and domain name are required prior to running the script. DigitalOcean is the best place for VPS hosting, and as of the time of writing this, they are offering a $60 credit if you sign up via this referral link. For domain names, NameCheap is our preferred source and they often provide discounts with this referral link.
When creating your droplet, or DigitalOcean VPS instance, select the latest stable version of Ubuntu. The 1 GB Regular SSD CPU for $6.00 per month suffices for most projects.
Once your VPS is created, SSH into it as root and add a new user.
adduser newuser
Then, add this user to the sudoers file.
visudo
SSH back into your VPS as the non-root user, clone the Gray Alien Ventures server-setup repo, enter the directory, and run install.sh as sudo.
git clone https://github.com/grayalienventures/server-setup
cd server-setup
sudo ./install.sh
To view your website, go to the domain name you entered in the script. Note that it may take about a minute or so for your site to be built, before which time you will see a ‘Not found.’ error. You can log in and out to the app skeleton, as well as set personal information in the ‘Settings’ menu item.
To access the WordPress backend, go to https://<your domain>/admin/wp-admin.
Happy hacking 👽