# Migrating a Next.js application to the Node.js Selector in cPanel

> Prepare a Next.js project with a custom server file and run it in cPanel using the Node.js Selector.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/software/migrating-a-next-js-application-to-the-node-js-selector-in-cpanel/

The **Node.js  Selector** in cPanel allows you to run Node.js  applications directly from your hosting account. If you already have a **Next.js  application**, you can migrate it to the Node.js  Selector with a few adjustments to ensure compatibility.

## Preparing Your Next.js Project for Migration

1. ### Install Node.js and npm locally

   - Make sure you have Node.js  (v18.17 or higher) and npm installed on your development machine.
2. ### Create or use an existing Next.js project

   - If starting fresh:

     ```
     npx create-next-app@latest
     ```
   - If you already have a project, skip this step.
3. ### Create a custom server file

   - In your project root, create a file named `server.js`.
   - Example:

     ```
     const { createServer } = require('http');
     const { parse } = require('url');
     const next = require('next');

     const dev = process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'production';
     const hostname = 'localhost';
     const port = 3000;

     const app = next({ dev, hostname, port });
     const handle = app.getRequestHandler();

     app.prepare().then(() => {
       createServer(async (req, res) => {
         try {
           const parsedUrl = parse(req.url, true);
           const { pathname, query } = parsedUrl;

           if (pathname === '/a') {
             await app.render(req, res, '/a', query);
           } else if (pathname === '/b') {
             await app.render(req, res, '/b', query);
           } else {
             await handle(req, res, parsedUrl);
           }
         } catch (err) {
           console.error('Error occurred handling', req.url, err);
           res.statusCode = 500;
           res.end('internal server error');
         }
       }).listen(port, () => {
         console.log(`Ready on http://${hostname}:${port}`);
       });
     });
     ```

     ```
     Update package.json
     ```
   - Replace the `start` script with:

     ```
     "start": "NODE_ENV=production node server.js"
     ```
4. ### Build and package the app

```
npm run build
zip -r ../nextapp.zip . --exclude ".git/*" .gitignore "node_modules/*" README.md
```

## Migrating to cPanel

1. ### Upload the project

   - Log in to **cPanel**.
   - Use **File Manager** to upload `nextapp.zip` to your account.
   - Extract it into `public_html/nextapp`.
2. ### Create a Node.js application

   - Go to **Tools → Software → Setup Node.js  App**.
   - Click **Create Application**.
   - Select the Node.js  version (must be ≥ 18.17).
   - Set **Application Mode** to **Production**.
   - Set **Application Root** to `nextapp`.
   - Set **Application Startup File** to `server.js`.
   - Click **Create**.
3. ### Install dependencies

   - Click **Run NPM Install** in the Node.js  Selector interface.
   - Wait for installation to complete.
4. ### Start the application

   - Click **Start App**.
   - Visit your domain (e.g., `example.com`) to confirm the Next.js  app is running.

> **Note:**
- Next.js requires **Node.js v18.17 or higher**.
- If `Run NPM Install` is disabled, refresh the Node.js Selector page to re‑scan applications.
- Always restart the app after making changes.