page:guides:next js:schema changes

Apply Database Schema Changes for Next.js

Summary

Schema changes for a Next.js app on Ample. Verified on Next.js: a --release-command migration ran before activation and its marker was readable by the live app (migrated=release-ok). Build and start: next build then next start -H 0.0.0.0 -p $PORT on the node-22 template.

Requirements

Resource Requirements:
- Compute
- Postgres
Infrastructure Requirements:
- Compute: Apps run in isolated x86_64 Firecracker microVMs that auto-pause when idle and wake on request.
- Postgres: Managed PostgreSQL 16 runs in its own microVM and is auto-provisioned when needed.

Prerequisites

A Next.js project (next build then next start -H 0.0.0.0 -p $PORT on the node-22 template)
A PostgreSQL driver reading DATABASE_URL at runtime
An Ample account token with servers:write, databases:read

Workflow Steps

Build and Start:
- next build then next start -H 0.0.0.0 -p $PORT on the node-22 template; the server must bind 0.0.0.0 on PORT.
Run Migrations as the Release Command:
- Ample runs the command before activation and fails if it exits non-zero; keep migrations idempotent.
- Command: ample deploy . --name <app_name> --public --release-command "node migrate.cjs"
Verify:
- Fetch the live URL and /p/migrated on the example; on failure read the build and runtime logs.
- Command: ample logs <app_name> --kind build

Success Checks

App responds on its public URL (Expect: ample canary next js patterns)
Migrated check from the example (Expect: see the pattern fixture checks)

Limitations

Verified on the node-22 template at s-1vcpu-1gb; other sizes and Next.js major versions are not verified.
Region, compliance attestations, and request-duration limits are unknown.

Cost Estimate

Currency: USD
Monthly Amount: 10.0
Components:
- App server (size: s-1vcpu-1gb, quantity: 1.0, monthly amount: 5.0)
- Managed PostgreSQL database (size: s-1vcpu-1gb, quantity: 1.0, monthly amount: 5.0)
Note: Always-on monthly price of the tested sizes; apps auto-pause when idle.

Examples

Next.js Pattern Fixture: Verified schema changes on Next.js. Source: tests/deploy-canaries/next-js-patterns

Evidence Summary

Next.js pattern fixture deployed on Ample (next build then next start -H 0.0.0.0 -p $PORT on the node-22 template); for this guide: a --release-command migration ran before activation.

Last Verified At

2026-09-21T02:34:39Z