How to Deploy an Elixir Application to Production in May 2025?

Deploying an Elixir application to production can seem intimidating, especially with the evolving technologies and practices in 2025. However, by harnessing a few essential strategies, you can deliver your application efficiently and securely. In this article, we will guide you through a step-by-step process to deploy your Elixir application, ensuring that best practices are followed.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the deployment process, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

Elixir: Make sure Elixir and Erlang/OTP are installed on your system.
Source Code: Your application code is thoroughly tested and stored in a version control system.
DevOps Tools: Familiarize yourself with essential DevOps tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines for seamless continuous deployment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deploying Elixir Applications

1. Prepare Your Elixir Application

Before deploying, verify that your Elixir application is optimized and ready for production. Here’s a quick checklist:

Code Review: Conduct peer reviews to ensure code quality and adherence to best practices.
Dependencies: Run mix deps.get to download and lock all required dependencies.
Environment Configurations: Update your configuration files for the production environment.

To learn more about handling data types and understanding configurations, check out Elixir Data Types.

2. Containerize Your Application

Containerization isolates your application and its dependencies, making it portable across different environments. Use Docker to containerize your Elixir application:

Create a Dockerfile in your application’s root directory:


FROM elixir:latest
WORKDIR /app
COPY . .
RUN mix local.hex --force && mix local.rebar --force
RUN mix deps.get && mix compile
CMD ["mix", "phx.server"]

Build the Docker image:

1 2	docker build -t elixir_app:latest .

3. Push to a Container Registry

Push your Docker image to a container registry (like Docker Hub or AWS ECR) for easier deployment:

1 2	docker tag elixir_app:latest username/elixir_app:latest docker push username/elixir_app:latest

4. Deploy Using Kubernetes

Kubernetes is a powerful tool for managing containerized applications. Create a Kubernetes deployment file:

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: elixir-app
spec:
  replicas: 3
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: elixir-app
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: elixir-app
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: elixir-app
        image: username/elixir_app:latest
        ports:
        - containerPort: 4000

Deploy the application:

1	kubectl apply -f k8s-deployment.yaml

5. Set Up Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

Implement a CI/CD pipeline to automate build, test, and deployment processes. Popular CI/CD tools compatible with Elixir include GitHub Actions, Travis CI, and Jenkins.

By using regex for any required string manipulations or operations, consult Elixir Split Char.

6. Monitor and Maintain

Once your application is live:

Monitoring: Use observability tools like Prometheus and Grafana to monitor performance.
Logging: Implement centralized logging with tools like Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana (ELK stack).
SSH and Remote Access: Ensure secure access to your Kubernetes cluster for management and troubleshooting.

For further information on optimizing your Elixir application, explore Elixir Programming.

Conclusion

Deploying an Elixir application to production in 2025 requires careful planning, a solid understanding of containers, Kubernetes orchestration, and a robust CI/CD pipeline. By following these steps and utilizing the recommended resources, you can ensure a seamless and efficient deployment process that is aligned with modern best practices. Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge, it’s time to take your Elixir applications live with confidence!

How to Deploy an Elixir Application to Production in 2025?