Build and deploy a Node.js web site to Windows Azure using WebMatrix

This tutorial shows you how to use WebMatrix to develop and deploy a Node.js application to a Windows Azure Web site. WebMatrix is a free web development tool from Microsoft that includes everything you need for web site development. WebMatrix includes several features that make it easy to use Node.js including code completion, pre-built templates, and editor support for Jade, LESS, and CoffeeScript. Learn more about WebMatrix for Windows Azure.

Upon completing this guide, you will have a Node.js web site running in Windows Azure.

A screenshot of the completed application is below:

Sign into Windows Azure

Follow these steps to create a Windows Azure Web Site.

 

1. Launch WebMatrix

2. If this is the first time you've used WebMatrix, you will be prompted to sign into Windows Azure. Otherwise, you can click on the Sign In button, and choose Add Account. Select to Sign in using your Microsoft Account.

   

3. If you have signed up for a Windows Azure account, you may log in using your Microsoft Account:

   

Create a site using a built in template for Windows Azure

1. On the start screen, click the New button, and choose Template Gallery to create a new site from the Template Gallery:

   

2. In the Site from Template dialog, select Node and then select Express Site. Finally, click Next. If you are missing any prerequisites for the Express Site template, you will be prompted to install them.

   

3. If you are signed into Windows Azure, you now have the option to create a Windows Azure Web Site for your local site. Choose a unique name, and select the data cetner where you would like your site to be created:

   

4. After WebMatrix finishes building the web site, the WebMatrix IDE is displayed.

   

Publish your application to Windows Azure

1. In WebMatrix, click Publish from the Home ribbon to display the Publish Preview dialog box for the web site.

   

2. Click Continue. When publishing is complete, the URL for the web site on Windows Azure is displayed at the bottom of the WebMatrix IDE

   

3. Click the link to open the web site in your browser.

   

Modify and republish your application

You can easily modify and republish your application. Here, you will make a simple change to the heading in in the index.jade file, and republish the application.

1. In WebMatrix, select Files, and then expend the views folder. Open the index.jade file by double-clicking it.

   

2. Change the second line to the following:

   p Welcome to #{title} with WebMatrix on Windows Azure!

3. Save your changes, and then click the publish icon. Finally, click Continue in the Publish Preview dialog and wait for the update to be published.

   

4. When publishing has completed, use the link returned when the publish process is complete to see the updated site.