Deploying a Node.js application in ECS with CodeCatalyst and Terraform

In this step-by-step guide, I'll walk you through the entire process of deploying a Node.js application in ECS Fargate with CodeCatalyst as CI/CD tool and Terraform as IaC. From setting up your environment to configuring your containers and services, we'll cover everything you need to know to get your application up and running in no time. So whether you're new to cloud deployment or just looking for a more streamlined process, this guide is for you. Let's get started!

Prerequisites
You will need the following :

• NPM to build and run the app locally
• Docker to build and test your image
• Terraform to create infrastructure in AWS
• AWS account + AWS Builder ID (for CodeCatalyst)

Note:
If you interested only in part of Creating CI/CD pipeline in CodeCatalyst please go to step # 4

Step 0 [Optional] Build and run app locally.

Feel free to skip if you already have existing node.js app.
Create the following files:

• src/app.js main app file in the src folder
• package.json that includes dependencies

// Import the express module
const express = require('express');

// Create an instance of express
const app = express();

// Define a port
const port = 3000;

// Define a route
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
  res.send('Hello, World!');
});

// Start the server
app.listen(port, () => {
  console.log(`Server is running at http://localhost:${port}`);
});

My example code

Now you can build and run your app locally

npm install
npm run build
npm test
npm start

Step 1 - Containerize the app

Let's create Dockerfile

# Use an official Node.js runtime as a parent image
FROM node:20-alpine

# set the current mode
ENV NODE_ENV=production

# Set the working directory to /app
WORKDIR /usr/src/app

# Copy the application code to the container
COPY --chown=node:node . .

# Install the dependencies
RUN npm ci --only=production

# Expose the port that your application listens on
EXPOSE 3000

USER node

# Start the application
CMD ["node", "src/app.js"]

Now you can run your app in Docker

docker build -t test:latest .
docker run -p 3000:3000 test:latest

Step 3 - Create Infra

We are going to implement the following architecture using Terraform and open source modules.

First you will need to bootstrap your account:

• create S3 and DynamoDB table for Terraform State file
• create ECR
• create IAM roles and policies for CodeCatalyst

More details in the readme

Then IaC for app

Step 4 - create Pipeline

1. create AWS Builder ID
2. Log into CodeCatalyst and create new space and project
3. Connect AWS accounts
4. Create environments