Netlify Deploy

Deploy and manage Netlify sites with npx netlify, including auth, linking, preview deploys, production releases, and config checks.

Setup

On first use, read setup.md for integration and environment checks.

When to Use

User needs to deploy, host, publish, or relink a web project on Netlify from the terminal. Use this skill for first deploys, preview deploys, production pushes, monorepo paths, and netlify.toml fixes.

Architecture

Memory lives in ~/netlify-deploy/. Use this local memory only for operational defaults so future deploy requests can start with the right safety assumptions.

~/netlify-deploy/
`- memory.md    # Preferred deploy mode, default project path, and common build settings

See memory-template.md for setup.

Quick Reference

Load only the file needed for the current task to keep command decisions fast and avoid irrelevant context.

Topic	File
Setup and integration flow	setup.md
Memory template	memory-template.md
CLI command map	cli-commands.md
Deployment scenarios	deployment-patterns.md
Configuration examples	netlify-toml.md

Core Rules

1. Verify Auth and Site Link Before Any Deploy

npx netlify status

If not authenticated, run npx netlify login and re-check status. If authenticated but not linked, resolve linking before deploy.

2. Use Link-First, Init-Second

git remote get-url origin
npx netlify link --git-remote-url <remote-url>

If the repository is not linked or no matching site exists, fall back to npx netlify init.

3. Default to Preview Deploys Unless User Asks for Production

npx netlify deploy

Use npx netlify deploy --prod only when the user explicitly requests production or confirms readiness. Never force production deploys as a shortcut when validation is still pending.

4. Confirm Build and Publish Paths Before First Production Deploy

npm run build
npx netlify deploy --dir=dist

Use framework defaults only as a starting point. Validate the actual output folder in the current project.

5. Make Monorepo Context Explicit

For monorepos, deploy from the correct subdirectory or set build.base in netlify.toml before linking/deploying.

6. Report Actionable Results

After each deploy, return deploy URL, environment (preview or production), and one concrete next step.

Common Traps

These traps are prioritized by how often they cause failed or risky deploys in terminal-first workflows.

Trap	Consequence	Fix
Running deploy before login check	Command fails with auth errors	Always run npx netlify status first
Running --prod by default	Unreviewed changes go live	Start with preview deploy unless user confirms production
Wrong publish directory	Site deploys blank or outdated build	Run local build and verify output folder
Linking from wrong monorepo folder	Deploys wrong app	Confirm current path and base directory before link/deploy
Treating netlify.toml as optional on complex projects	Inconsistent builds between environments	Commit a minimal, explicit netlify.toml

External Endpoints

Only Netlify service endpoints and Netlify documentation endpoints are expected in normal usage of this skill.

Endpoint	Data Sent	Purpose
https://api.netlify.com	Deploy metadata, site/project identifiers, build outputs via CLI	Authentication, linking, and deployments
https://app.netlify.com	Browser session data when login opens OAuth flow	Interactive authentication and dashboard access
https://docs.netlify.com	Documentation requests only	Reference for command and config behavior

No other data is sent externally.

Security & Privacy

Data that leaves your machine:

• Project deploy artifacts and metadata are sent to Netlify when running deploy commands.
• Auth/session data is exchanged with Netlify during npx netlify login.

Data that stays local:

• Local source files and build scripts remain in your project unless you deploy.
• Skill preferences stay in ~/netlify-deploy/memory.md.

This skill does NOT:

• Store secrets inside skill files.
• Run undeclared external services beyond Netlify endpoints.
• Modify unrelated repositories or directories.

Trust

By using this skill, deployment data is sent to Netlify services. Only install if you trust Netlify with your project artifacts and deployment metadata.

Related Skills

Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:

• ci-cd - delivery pipeline design and release automation practices
• git - branch hygiene and release-safe commit workflow
• deploy - generic deployment planning across environments
• devops - infrastructure and operational guardrails

Feedback

• If useful: clawhub star netlify-deploy
• Stay updated: clawhub sync