YañSans

Posted on Sep 2

How YOU Can Deploy Web Apps Free with Tencent EdgeOne Makers

#tencentedgeone #edgeonemakers #codepolitan #edgeone

As part of the DevHandal Batch #2 challenge organized by CODEPOLITAN and Tencent EdgeOne, this tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to taking a local web project global. We will utilize EdgeOne Makers, a high-performance frontend and serverless deployment platform built directly on Tencent Cloud’s extensive global edge network.

1. Introduction & Platform Overview

In today's fast-moving software ecosystem, frontend developers and Al builders require rapid, frictionless deployment platforms. Whether launching a Single Page Application (SPA), an Al agent interface, a documentation site, or full-stack SSR applications, waiting for server configurations or managing expensive cloud hosting is a thing of the past.
Tencent EdgeOne Makers (and its zero-friction upload tool, Makers Drop) is built specifically for developers looking for high-performance edge deployment without infrastructure overhead. Operating on Tencent Cloud's global Content Delivery Network (CDN), EdgeOne provides enterprise-level security, ultra-low edge latency, and generous free allocations.

2. EdgeOne Makers Free Tier Breakdown

Unlike many free-tier cloud platforms that impose harsh bandwidth caps or restrictive build limits, Tencent EdgeOne offers a robust set of features out of the box:

Resource / Feature	Free Tier Specification	Developer Benefit
Project Allocation	Up to 40 Active Projects	Host multiple client projects, side hustles, or micro-apps under one account.
Single File Limit	25 MB per individual file	Accommodates rich media assets, compiled JS bundles, and WASM modules easily.
Total Project Limits	Up to 1,000 files per deployment	Ideal for standard static exports and client-side applications.
Domain & SSL	Free `*.edgeone.dev` subdomains + Custom Domains	Instant production URL with automated, managed Let's Encrypt / TrustAsia HTTPS certificates.
Network Infrastructure	Global Edge CDN & Anycast Routing	Delivers sub-50ms TTFB (Time to First Byte) by caching content across global PoPs.
Edge Computing	Serverless Edge Functions (Node.js)	Execute lightweight API routes, request rewrites, and headers at the edge without a backend.

3. Deployment

Method 1: Instant Drag-and-Drop (Makers Drop)

Makers Drop provides the fastest path from local build to a live production URL without requiring Git repository authentication or command-line installation.

Step 1: Prepare Your Production Build

Generate static assets from your web project. For standard frameworks, run your build script:

# React / Vite / Vue / Astro
npm run build
# Next.js (Ensure output: 'export' in next.config.js)
npm run build

This will produce a build directory such as dist/, out/ or
build/

Step 2: Upload to Makers Drop

Navigate to pages.edgeone.ai/drop. Drag your build folder (or a zipped archive of your build output) directly into the browser drop zone.

Step 3: Configure Subdomain & Launch

Enter your desired subdomain name (e.g., my-ai-app.edgeone.dev). Click Deploy. Your site will be published globally across edge nodes in seconds.

Important: Claim Your Guest Deployment
Guest deployments on Makers Drop are fully functional immediately, but unauthenticated guest links expire after 1 hour. To make your project URL permanent and link custom domains, click "Claim Project" and log into your free Tencent EdgeOne account.

Method 2: Automated Git Integration (CI/CD)

For ongoing software projects, EdgeOne Makers integrates directly with GitHub and GitLab for automatic continuous deployment whenever you push code.

Connect Repository Connect your GitHub account in the EdgeOne console. Select your repository and target branch (e.g., main).
Configure Environment Specify build commands (npm run build) and output directory (dist). Add required environment variables.

See the Build Guide

4. Why EdgeOne Deployment is 100% Safe & Secure

Security is a primary concern when evaluating free hosting platforms. Tencent EdgeOne leverages enterprise cloud security architecture to protect hosted applications:

Automated HTTPS Encryption: Every deployment receives automatic TLS certificates with mandatory HTTP-to-HTTPS redirect enforced at the edge.
Isolated Edge Containers: Edge Functions and build processes execute inside sandboxed container runtimes, preventing cross-tenant leakage or code contamination.
DDoS & Bot Mitigation: Built atop Tencent Cloud's global security layer, sites hosted on EdgeOne are shielded from volumetric DDoS attacks and malicious web scraping.
No Server Maintenance: Serverless edge hosting eliminates traditional OS-level vulnerabilities, SSH exposure, and unpatched server software risks.

5. Framework Configuration Reference

To ensure smooth client-side routing (handling 404 fallbacks for single-page apps), configure your project build settings as follows:
React / Vite SPA Routing
Ensure all routes redirect to index.html for client-side routing.

# vercel.json or routes.json
{
   "rewrites": [
     { "source": "/(.*)", "destination":
"/index.html" }
   ]
}

Next.js Static Export
Configure next.config.js for static output generation.

// next.config.js
module.exports = {
output: 'export',
images: { unoptimized: true } 
};

6. Summary & Next Steps

Tencent EdgeOne Makers offers a powerful, secure, and completely free solution for hosting modern web applications and Al tools. With zero server maintenance, enterprise DDoS protection, free SSL, and instantaneous global deployments via Makers Drop, it is an ideal platform for independent developers and engineering teams alike.

Ready to Launch?
Start deploying right away at pages.edgeone.al/drop or connect your GitHub repository for automated cloud builds.

DEV Community