If you wish to [use server-side rendering (SSR)](https://docs.astro.build/en/guides/server-side-rendering/), Astro requires an adapter that matches your deployment runtime.
[Vercel](https://www.vercel.com/) is a deployment platform that allows you to host your site by connecting directly to your GitHub repository. This adapter enhances the Astro build process to prepare your project for deployment through Vercel.
Add the Vercel adapter to enable SSR in your Astro project with the following `astro add` command. This will install the adapter and make the appropriate changes to your `astro.config.mjs` file in one step.
1. Install the Vercel adapter to your project’s dependencies using your preferred package manager. If you’re using npm or aren’t sure, run this in the terminal:
-`edge`: SSR inside an [Edge function](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/functions/edge-functions).
-`serverless`: SSR inside a [Node.js function](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/functions/serverless-functions).
-`static`: generates a static website following Vercel's output formats, redirects, etc.
> **Note**: deploying to the Edge has [its limitations](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/functions/edge-functions#known-limitations). An edge function can't be more than 1 MB in size and they don't support native Node.js APIs, among others.
You can change where to target by changing the import:
You can deploy by CLI (`vercel deploy`) or by connecting your new repo in the [Vercel Dashboard](https://vercel.com/). Alternatively, you can create a production build locally:
You can enable [Vercel Analytics](https://vercel.com/analytics) (including Web Vitals and Audiences) by setting `analytics: true`. This will inject Vercel’s tracking scripts into all your pages.
Configuration options for [Vercel's Image Optimization API](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/image-optimization). See [Vercel's image configuration documentation](https://vercel.com/docs/build-output-api/v3/configuration#images) for a complete list of supported parameters.
When enabled, an [Image Service](https://docs.astro.build/en/reference/image-service-reference/) powered by the Vercel Image Optimization API will be automatically configured and used in production. In development, a built-in Squoosh-based service will be used instead.
> When building for the Edge, all the dependencies get bundled in a single file to save space. **No extra file will be bundled**. So, if you _need_ some file inside the function, you have to specify it in `includeFiles`.
The Vercel adapter builds to a single function by default. Astro 2.7 added support for splitting your build into separate entry points per page. If you use this configuration the Vercel adapter will generate a separate function for each page. This can help reduce the size of each function so they are only bundling code used on that page.
You can use Vercel Edge middleware to intercept a request and redirect before sending a response. Vercel middleware can run for Edge, SSR, and Static deployments. You may not need to install this package for your middleware. `@vercel/edge` is only required to use some middleware features such as geolocation. For more information see [Vercel’s middleware documentation](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/functions/edge-middleware).
The `@astrojs/vercel/serverless` adapter can automatically create the Vercel Edge middleware from an Astro middleware in your code base.
This is an opt-in feature, and the `build.excludeMiddleware` option needs to be set to `true`:
```js
// astro.config.mjs
import {defineConfig} from "astro/config";
import vercel from "@astrojs/vercel";
export default defineConfig({
output: "server",
adapter: vercel(),
build: {
excludeMiddleware: true
}
})
```
Optionally, you can create a file recognized by the adapter named `vercel-edge-middleware.(js|ts)` in the [`srcDir`](https://docs.astro.build/en/reference/configuration-reference/#srcdir) folder to create [`Astro.locals`](https://docs.astro.build/en/reference/api-reference/#astrolocals).
Typings requires the [`@vercel/edge`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@vercel/edge) package.
The data returned by this function will be passed to Astro middleware.
The function:
- must export a **default** function;
- must **return** an `object`;
- accepts an object with a `request` and `context` as properties;
-`request` is typed as [`Request`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Request);
-`context` is typed as [`RequestContext`](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/functions/edge-functions/vercel-edge-package#requestcontext);
#### Limitations and constraints
When you opt in to this feature, there are few constraints to note:
- The Vercel Edge middleware will always be the **first** function to receive the `Request` and the last function to receive `Response`. This an architectural constraint that follows the [boundaries set by Vercel](https://vercel.com/docs/concepts/functions/edge-middleware).
- Only `request` and `context` may be used to produce an `Astro.locals` object. Operations like redirects, etc. should be delegated to Astro middleware.
-`Astro.locals`**must be serializable**. Failing to do so will result in a **runtime error**. This means that you **cannot** store complex types like `Map`, `function`, `Set`, etc.
**A few known complex packages (example: [puppeteer](https://github.com/puppeteer/puppeteer)) do not support bundling and therefore will not work properly with this adapter.** By default, Vercel doesn't include npm installed files & packages from your project's `./node_modules` folder. To address this, the `@astrojs/vercel` adapter automatically bundles your final build output using `esbuild`.