Automating Your CI/CD Pipeline with HCS Using Webhooks

Integrating GitHub with HCS (HostSpace) using webhooks for app deployment allows you to automate the process of deploying your applications upon code changes. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up this integration:

1. Prerequisites

• GitHub Repository: Ensure you have a repository on GitHub.

• HCS Account: Ensure you have access to the HCS dashboard and necessary permissions to create deployments.

2. Setting Up a Webhook in GitHub

1. Access Your Repository:

   • Log in to GitHub and navigate to your repository.

2. Navigate to Webhooks:

   • Go to Settings in your repository.

   • Click on Webhooks in the left-hand menu.

   • Click on Add webhook.

3. Configure the Webhook:

   • Payload URL: Enter the webhook URL provided by HCS for app deployment integration.

   • Content Type: Select application/json.

   • Secret: Enter a secret key (this will be configured in HCS as well).

   • Events: Choose Push events to trigger deployments on code changes.

   • Click on Add webhook to save the configuration.

3. Configuring HCS to Receive Webhooks

1. Login to HCS:

   • Open your browser and go to the HCS dashboard.

   • Log in with your credentials.

2. Navigate to Applications:

   • From the main dashboard, select the "Applications" section.

3. Create a New Application Deployment:

   • Click on “Create Application” or a similar button.

   • Name: Enter a name for your application.

   • Source Code Repository: Connect to your GitHub repository by providing the necessary credentials and repository URL.

   • Branch: Choose the branch you want to deploy.

4. Configure Webhook Integration:

   • In the application configuration, find the section for webhook settings.

   • Secret Key: Enter the same secret key you used when setting up the GitHub webhook.

   • Webhook URL: Ensure that the webhook URL matches the one you provided in GitHub.

5. Define Build and Deployment Steps:

   • Build Steps: Configure the steps to build your application, such as compiling and packaging.

   • Deployment Steps: Set up the steps to deploy your application to HCS’s environment.

6. Set Up Environment Variables:

   • Define any environment variables needed for your build and deployment processes.

7. Configure Notifications and Alerts:

   • Set up notifications to receive updates on the status of your deployment.

   • Create alerts for build failures or deployment issues.

4. Testing the Integration

1. Make a Push to Your Repository:

   • Make a code change and push it to the branch you configured for deployment.

2. Check HCS Dashboard:

   • Go to the HCS dashboard and check the status of your application deployment.

   • Ensure that the deployment is triggered by the push event and that the build and deployment steps are executed correctly.

3. Review Logs and Status:

   • Review the logs for each step to troubleshoot any issues.

   • Confirm that the deployment was successful.

5. Managing and Monitoring Your Application Deployment

1. Edit Application Configuration:

   • Update build and deployment steps as needed.

   • Adjust webhook settings if necessary.

2. Monitor Deployment Performance:

   • Use the HCS dashboard to monitor the performance of your deployments.

   • Review metrics and logs to optimize your deployment process.

3. Version Control and Documentation:

   • Keep your deployment configuration in version control.

   • Document your deployment setup and processes to help team members understand the configuration.