page:recipes:knowledge base:next js:relational content
Host knowledge base with Next.js: Postgres-backed content
Deploy a knowledge base built with Next.js on Ample using the relational records pattern. Compute runs the app in an isolated microVM behind a public HTTPS URL, a managed PostgreSQL 16 database is auto-provisioned and injected as DATABASE_URL, and a published bucket serves public assets from the CDN host.
Verified on Next.js: a workspace-scoped table, an explicit state machine (draft to review to published) that rejects invalid transitions, and a cross-workspace read that returns nothing (transitions=true isolation=true). Not separately tested: your record schema, states and access rules; treat the knowledge base-specific behavior as your application code.
Representative Queries
- Host knowledge base with Next.js: Postgres-backed content
- Where can I host Knowledge base built with Next.js?
- I need a content schema, publishing workflow and cache behavior after content updates.
Prerequisites
- A Next.js project that builds and starts with the documented commands (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 (auto-provisioned when omitted, or supplied with --env)
- A bucket from
ample bucket createwith its credentials passed as encrypted S3_* environment variables - An Ample account token with servers:write, databases:read, buckets:read
Resource Requirements
- Compute: Apps run in isolated x86_64 Firecracker microVMs that auto-pause when idle and wake on request; sizes are the priced VM sizes.
- Postgres: Managed PostgreSQL 16 runs in its own microVM and is auto-provisioned when an app needs a database and no DATABASE_URL is supplied.
- CDN: The CDN host serves objects from published buckets. It does not front app compute and is not a cache or key-value store.
Workflow Steps
- Build and start -
next build then next start -H 0.0.0.0 -p $PORTon the node-22 template. The server must bind 0.0.0.0 on PORT. - Implement the pattern on PostgreSQL: The fixture's module implements relational records: a workspace-scoped table, an explicit state machine (draft to review to published) that rejects invalid transitions, and a cross-workspace read that returns nothing (transitions=true isolation=true). Copy the approach into your schema; keep migrations idempotent and run them with --release-command.
- Wire object storage: Create the bucket(s), then pass endpoint, region, bucket and keys as --env values. Use path-style addressing. Keep private data in an unpublished bucket. Publish only the bucket that serves public assets and reference its CDN URL.
- Deploy: Run the synchronous deploy once and read the result (exit 0 live, 1 failed, 2 blocked). Re-running with no change is a no-op.
- Command:
ample deploy . --name --public --env S3_ENDPOINT=... --env S3_REGION=... --env S3_BUCKET=... --env S3_ACCESS_KEY_ID=... --env S3_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=... --env CDN_PUBLIC_URL=...
- Command:
- Verify: Fetch the live URL and the pattern self-test route(s) (/p/relational-records) from the example; then run your own checks. On failure read
ample logs --kind buildthen--kind runtime.- Command:
ample logs --kind build
- Command:
Examples
- Title: Next.js pattern fixture
Description: Multi-pattern Next.js app whose relational records module was checked live; the module is under tests/deploy-canaries/_pattern-modules.
Source Reference: tests/deploy-canaries/next-js-patterns
Success Checks
Description: app responds on its public URL
Kind: http_get
Path: /
Expect: ample canary next js patternsDescription: relational-records self-test
Kind: http_get
Path: /p/relational-records
Expect: records=ok transitions=true isolation=true
Limitations
- Verified on the node-22 template at s-1vcpu-1gb with the example fixture; other sizes, templates and Next.js major versions are not verified.
- The knowledge base itself (your record schema, states and access rules) is application code and was not separately tested; the pattern checks are what was verified.
- Region, compliance attestations and request-duration limits are unknown and not claimed.
- Apps auto-pause when idle and wake on the next request; always-on is an operator setting, not a plan feature.
- Managed PostgreSQL 16 only; extensions, connection limits and backup or restore procedures are not verified; apps and their databases are placed together.
- PutObject and GetObject with path-style addressing are verified; multipart upload, listing, presigned URLs and lifecycle rules are not.
- The CDN serves published-bucket objects only; cache rules, purge and TTL control are not verified (the fixture sets Cache-Control on upload and versions keys).
Cost Estimate
- Currency: USD
- Monthly Amount: 10.0 (based on size prices)
- 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 and databases auto-pause when idle. Buckets are allocation-priced per quota and not included.