From GitHub repo to live Shiny app in a few clicks.

Lightbulb handles server provisioning, Nginx configuration, SSL certificates and deployment - so you spend your time building apps, not managing infrastructure.

1

Connect your DigitalOcean account

Paste your DigitalOcean API token into Lightbulb. We use it to provision servers in your account on your behalf. You can revoke access at any time from your DigitalOcean dashboard.

Lightbulb stores your token encrypted and uses it only to create and manage Droplets you authorise.

2

Provision a server

Choose a server size and region. Lightbulb creates a DigitalOcean Droplet, installs Ubuntu, configures Nginx, and sets up the Shiny Server runtime - all automatically. You'll need an SSH public key added under SSH Keys first - Lightbulb installs it on the server so you can access your own infrastructure directly at any time.

Takes a few minutes. The resulting server is a standard Droplet visible in your DigitalOcean dashboard.

3

Add a site and domain

Point your domain at the server IP (we show you exactly where), then create a site in Lightbulb. SSL is provisioned via Let's Encrypt automatically.

No DNS expertise needed - we tell you which record to set. HTTPS is handled without you touching the server.

4

Deploy your Shiny app

Paste the GitHub URL of your Shiny or Golem app. Lightbulb clones the repo onto the server and wires it up to your site.

Public repos work on the free plan. Private repos are supported on Pro and above.

5

Redeploy when your app changes

Push an update to GitHub, then hit redeploy in the Lightbulb UI. Your new code is pulled and the app restarts - no SSH required.

One click. No CI/CD setup needed to get started.

Under the hood

Servers Standard Ubuntu DigitalOcean Droplets - nothing proprietary or locked in.
App runtime Shiny Server Open Source handles app hosting on your server.
Web server Nginx acts as a reverse proxy for each site, handling HTTPS termination.
SSL Certificates are issued by Let's Encrypt and auto-renewed.

Ready to deploy your first app?

No DevOps experience required. Get started free.

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