How to Configure Nginx with React and Express on a GCP VM

Learn how to seamlessly configure `Nginx` to work with `React` and `Express` applications on a Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Ubuntu Virtual Machine (VM).
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How to Configure Nginx with React and Express on a GCP VM

If you’re trying to deploy a React application backed by an Express API on a Google Cloud Platform (GCP) VM and running into issues, you're not alone. One common problem developers face is getting 404 Not Found errors when making API requests, while the React application itself might be functioning correctly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps necessary to configure Nginx to work harmoniously with both your React front-end and Express back-end applications.

Understanding the Problem

You have a simple React application serving front-end requests and an Express API to handle data. However, API requests sent from the React app to your Express back-end return a 404 error, indicating that the endpoint could not be found. This often results from incorrect Nginx routing for the API requests.

Example Scenario

Assuming your current project structure and configuration resemble the following:

React Application Code

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Express Application Code

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Nginx Configuration

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Given this setup, Nginx may be forwarding requests to http://localhost:3005/api instead of http://localhost:3005, leading to a 404 error.

Solution: Update Your Nginx Configuration

To resolve the incorrect routing issue, you will need to update your Nginx configuration to include a rewrite directive. This will ensure that the API requests are appropriately routed to the Express server without the unwanted /api prefix.

Step-by-Step Guide to Configure Nginx

Open Nginx Configuration File: Navigate to your Nginx configuration file, typically found at /etc/nginx/sites-available/default or similar.

Update the Location Block for API: Modify the location block related to API requests. Use the following configuration:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Test Nginx Configuration: After making changes, it's essential to test the configuration to ensure there are no syntax errors. Use the command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Restart Nginx: If the configuration test passes, restart the Nginx server for the changes to take effect:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Verify Everything Works: After restarting, try making API calls again from your React application. You should see the expected responses without encountering 404 errors.

Conclusion

Configuring Nginx to work with React and Express can pose some challenges, particularly when it comes to properly routing requests. By implementing the rewrite directive in your Nginx configuration, you can effectively resolve issues related to API requests returning 404 errors.

With these adjustments in place, you can operate your React app and Express API seamlessly on GCP, providing a smoother experience for your users. If you find any further issues, feel free to dive deeper into Nginx logs or make more adjustments to your server settings.

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