---
title: '3 · Connect Vercel and go live'
description: 'Import your GitHub repo into Vercel, add your keys, and get your first live URL.'
canonical: 'https://cartwright.app/docs/getting-started/from-code-to-live/3-connect-vercel'
---

# 3 · Connect Vercel and go live (/docs/getting-started/from-code-to-live/3-connect-vercel)



Vercel turns the code in your GitHub repo into a real, fast website — and rebuilds it every time
you push a change. The free plan is plenty to launch.

<Steps>
  1. **Create a free Vercel account — sign in with GitHub.**

     Go to [vercel.com/signup](https://vercel.com/signup) and choose **Continue with GitHub**. This
     links the two accounts so Vercel can see your repos. (One click, no extra password.)

  2. **Import your shop's repository.**

  <Tabs items="['Uden terminal', 'Med terminal']">
    <Tab value="Uden terminal">
      In the Vercel dashboard: **Add New… → Project**. You'll see a list of your GitHub repos —
      find `my-shop` and click **Import**. If it's not listed, click **Adjust GitHub App Permissions**
      and give Vercel access to the repo.
    </Tab>

    <Tab value="Med terminal">
      From inside your shop folder:

      ```bash
      npm i -g vercel
      vercel link
      ```

      Follow the prompts to create/link the Vercel project to this repo.
    </Tab>
  </Tabs>

  3. **Add your environment variables (your keys and database).**

     Before the first build, Vercel needs a few values. In the import screen (or **Project →
     Settings → Environment Variables**), add at least:

     * `TURSO_DATABASE_URL` and `TURSO_AUTH_TOKEN` — your production database. See
       [Deployment → Turso](/docs/deployment/turso) to create one in two minutes (free tier).
     * `AUTH_SECRET` — a random secret for logins. Generate one with `openssl rand -hex 32`
       (or any 32+ character random string).

     <Callout type="tip" title="Optional keys can wait">
       Stripe, Anthropic, Gemini, Resend and the rest are optional — your shop runs without them and
       you can add them anytime in `/admin/integrations` or here in Vercel. The full list is in your
       project's `.env.example`.
     </Callout>

  4. **Deploy.**

     Click **Deploy** (or it starts automatically after import). Vercel builds your shop — about a
     minute — and gives you a live URL like `my-shop.vercel.app`. &#x2A;*That's your shop, on the
     internet.** 🎉

  5. **Finish setup in the admin.**

     Open `https://my-shop.vercel.app/admin/setup` and walk the wizard (brand, theme, first
     products). See [Go live](/docs/deployment/go-live) for the launch checklist.
</Steps>

<Callout type="info" title="From now on, publishing is automatic">
  Vercel is now watching your GitHub repo. &#x2A;*Every time you push a change to GitHub, Vercel
  rebuilds your live shop.** The next page shows the safe, everyday way to make changes.
</Callout>

Next: [Step 4 — The everyday loop](/docs/getting-started/from-code-to-live/4-everyday-workflow).