One thing we’ve learned in supporting some of the most ambitious enterprise and media sites on the web is that their development needs are as varied as they are far-reaching. 

To that end, we’re excited to showcase our newest feature—Custom Deployments, designed to help developers push better code, faster, using tools they know and love on WordPress VIP’s scalable platform.

Custom Deployments allow you to develop on a repository (of your choosing) before deploying the code directly to an application’s environment with the VIP-CLI. Depending on your needs as an organization, this will open up new possibilities for development and provide your technical teams with enhanced flexibility and ownership. 

More options, flexibility in code deployment

Custom Deployments offer a versatile way for customers to handle their code deployment. Traditionally, customers relied solely on the GitHub Repository provided by WordPress VIP. With this new deployment method, you’re no longer tied to this single repository. Instead, you have the option to simply send WordPress VIP the code you want to deploy. 

This method opens up a new world of possibilities for developers who prefer to use different version control systems or who want more direct control over their deployment processes.

Let’s explore how a development team could use a full suite of GitHub features, including Codespaces, in conjunction with WordPress VIP’s Custom Deployments.

1. Develop on GitHub Codespaces

The team begins by developing their WordPress project using GitHub Codespaces, a cloud-based development environment that provides a consistent setup across different machines and developers. Codespaces allows the team to write, test, and debug code efficiently, leveraging the power of the cloud.

2. PR to main

Once development work is complete, team members submit pull requests (PRs) to the main branch of their repository. Individual QA practices can be implemented here.

3. Create release

After merging PRs into the main branch, the team creates a new release in GitHub. This release represents a stable version of the codebase that is ready for deployment by WordPress VIP.

4. Trigger deployment through GitHub Actions

With the release created, GitHub Actions come into play. A GitHub Actions workflow, specifically designed for deployment, is triggered upon the creation of a new release. This workflow packages the release into a deployment-ready artifact, which is then sent to WordPress VIP using the Custom Deployment method.

Custom Deployments accelerate developer agility

In a nutshell, this feature puts the development reins back in your hands. Prepare your code exactly how you want it, and let WordPress VIP handle the rest. Whether you’re using GitLab, Bitbucket, or any other version control system, Custom Deployments make your deployment process smoother and more aligned with your preferred workflows.

“Custom deployments are exactly what we were looking for. It’s easy, fast, and helps streamline our development and deployment process.”

Rob Gindes, Sr. Development Manager at Gannett

We let customers choose where to use proven tooling like our included GitHub repository or use their expertise to add WordPress VIP into their CI/CD system—without compromising on enterprise features like insights, deployment rollbacks, or vulnerability notifications. 

Streamlined deployment process

Custom Deployments enable application code to be developed in a version control system outside of a GitHub repository. Developed code can then be deployed to a VIP Platform environment with VIP-CLI or a continuous deployment method. This flexibility allows developers to maintain their preferred workflows and version control systems while still leveraging the power and reliability of WordPress VIP’s infrastructure.

Once the code is prepared and packaged into a deployment-ready artifact, it can be sent directly to the VIP Platform environment. The process ensures transparency and traceability throughout the deployment process, giving you confidence that your code is deployed correctly and efficiently.

For a detailed guide on using Custom Deployments, visit the official documentation.

Enjoy more control, more freedom

Custom Deployments by WordPress VIP bring a new level of flexibility and autonomy to your code deployment process. By allowing you to use your preferred version control systems and providing a streamlined deployment process via VIP-CLI, Custom Deployments help you tailor your workflow to fit your unique needs. 

Stay tuned for more updates from WordPress VIP as we continue to innovate and enhance our platform to better serve your needs.