GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot · Lesson

Deploying Spring Boot GraphQL

Explore strategies for packaging and deploying your Spring Boot GraphQL application to various environments, including cloud platforms.

Deploying Spring Boot GraphQL is a free GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Getting Your GraphQL Live

After building your Spring Boot GraphQL API, the next crucial step is making it accessible to users. This process is called deployment.

Deployment involves packaging your application, moving it to a server, and running it so clients can send queries and mutations.

Packaging Your Spring Boot App

Spring Boot applications are typically packaged as self-contained executable JAR (Java Archive) files. This JAR includes your application code, its dependencies, and an embedded web server (like Tomcat).

This "uber-JAR" simplifies deployment, as you only need a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to run it.

Our Simple Web Application

Let's consider a minimal Spring Boot application. While our main focus is GraphQL, the deployment steps are similar for any Spring Boot web app. This example shows a basic REST endpoint.

Try running this simple app:

import org.springframework.boot.SpringApplication;
import org.springframework.boot.autoconfigure.SpringBootApplication;
import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.GetMapping;
import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RestController;

@SpringBootApplication
@RestController
public class DeploymentApp {

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    SpringApplication.run(DeploymentApp.class, args);
  }

  @GetMapping("/")
  public String hello() {
    return "Hello from DeploymentApp!";
  }
}

Building the Executable JAR

To create the executable JAR file for your Spring Boot application, you'll use a build tool like Maven or Gradle. The command is straightforward:

Maven: mvn clean package
Gradle: gradlew bootJar

These commands compile your code, run tests, and then bundle everything into a single JAR file, usually found in the target/ or build/libs/ directory.

Running the Packaged JAR

Once you have your executable JAR file, running your application is as simple as executing a single Java command. You'll need a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed on your server.

The command looks like this:

java -jar your-application-name.jar

This starts your embedded web server, and your API becomes accessible.

Common Deployment Environments

Where can you deploy your Spring Boot GraphQL API? Several common options exist:

On-Premise Servers: Your own physical hardware.
Virtual Machines (VMs): Cloud-based virtual servers (e.g., AWS EC2, Azure VMs).
Platform as a Service (PaaS): Managed platforms (e.g., Heroku, Elastic Beanstalk).
Container Orchestration: Using Docker and Kubernetes.

PaaS for Simplicity

Platform as a Service (PaaS) offers a highly abstracted environment. You deploy your code, and the platform handles the underlying infrastructure, operating system, and often scaling.

Examples include Heroku, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Azure App Service. This is great for quick deployments and reduced operational overhead.

Containerizing with Docker

Docker allows you to package your application and all its dependencies into a standardized unit called a container. This ensures your application runs consistently across different environments.

Containers provide isolation, portability, and make your application immutable, which is excellent for microservices and cloud deployments.

Crafting a Dockerfile

A Dockerfile is a script that contains instructions for building a Docker image. Here's a basic example for a Spring Boot application:

FROM openjdk:17-jdk-slim
WORKDIR /app
COPY target/deployment-app.jar deployment-app.jar
EXPOSE 8080
ENTRYPOINT ["java", "-jar", "deployment-app.jar"]

This tells Docker to use a Java 17 base image, copy your JAR, expose port 8080, and then run your application.

Orchestration with Kubernetes

For managing and scaling many containers, especially in microservice architectures, Kubernetes is the industry standard. It automates deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

While setting up Kubernetes involves more configuration, it provides robust capabilities for high-availability and complex deployments.

Choosing a Deployment Path

You've built your Spring Boot GraphQL API and packaged it into an executable JAR. Now, consider the following scenario:

You need to deploy your application quickly, with minimal infrastructure management, and you anticipate moderate scaling needs without deep DevOps expertise. Which deployment strategy would be most suitable?

Recap: Deployment Essentials

We've covered the essentials of deploying your Spring Boot GraphQL API:

Packaging: Creating executable JARs.
Running: Executing JARs with java -jar.
Environments: VMs, PaaS, and containers.
Docker: For consistent containerization.
Kubernetes: For robust container orchestration.

Choosing the right strategy depends on your project's scale, team expertise, and operational needs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Deploying Spring Boot GraphQL” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Deploying Spring Boot GraphQL” is free to read here on the web, and the GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Deploying Spring Boot GraphQL”?

Explore strategies for packaging and deploying your Spring Boot GraphQL application to various environments, including cloud platforms. You practise GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot?

No prior experience is required. GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Deploying Spring Boot GraphQL” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot lesson?

Yes. Every GraphQL APIs with Spring Boot lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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