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The Static service provides a streamlined way to serve static content on Zerops. Built on Nginx but with a simplified configuration interface, it abstracts away complexity while maintaining the flexibility needed for modern web applications.

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Key Features

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Simplified Configuration

Instead of writing Nginx configuration directly, use YAML-based routing rules that are automatically translated into optimized Nginx configs. Focus on what your app needs, not how to configure a web server.

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Smart Default Routing

Out of the box, the Static service handles common patterns for modern web applications:
  1. Try exact path (/about → /about)
  2. Try with HTML extension (/about → /about.html)
  3. Try directory index (/docs → /docs/index.html)
  4. Fall back to SPA routing (/app/route → /index.html)
  5. Return 404 if nothing matches
Single Page Applications work without any configuration. The automatic fallback to /index.html ensures client-side routing works correctly.

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Advanced Routing Features

  • Masked redirects: Show content from another URL while keeping the original URL
  • Wildcard patterns: Handle multiple routes with a single rule
  • Domain management: Redirect between multiple domains
  • Path preservation: Keep paths when redirecting
  • Query preservation: Maintain query parameters across redirects

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Built-in CORS Support

Enable CORS with a single configuration line. No need to understand Nginx’s add_header directives.

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Custom Headers

Add security headers, cache control, or any custom headers with simple YAML configuration.

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SEO Optimization

Integrated Prerender.io support ensures search engines, social media crawlers, and AI tools can properly index your content.

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When to Use Static Service

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Perfect For:

  • Single Page Applications (React, Vue, Angular, Svelte)
  • Static site generators (Gatsby, Next.js static export, Nuxt static)
  • Documentation sites (Docusaurus, VitePress, MkDocs)
  • Landing pages and marketing sites
  • Simple static websites

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Consider Full Nginx If:

  • You need complete control over Nginx configuration
  • You have complex server-side logic requirements
  • You need custom Nginx modules
  • You want to use advanced Nginx features not exposed by the Static service
You can always switch from Static to full Nginx later. Zerops provides a migration tool that converts your Static configuration to a full Nginx config you can use as a starting point.

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Basic Configuration

Minimal zerops.yaml for a static service: 
zerops:
  - setup: app
    run:
      base: static
This simple configuration gives you:
  • Optimized Nginx server
  • SPA-friendly routing
  • Alpine Linux base
  • Automatic scaling

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Routing Configuration

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Simple Redirects

zerops:
  - setup: app
    run:
      base: static
      routing:
        redirects:
          # Permanent redirect
          - from: /old-page
            to: /new-page
            status: 301
          
          # Masked redirect (shows /about content but keeps URL)
          - from: /about
            to: /about-us

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Domain Management

zerops:
  - setup: app
    run:
      base: static
      routing:
        redirects:
          # Redirect entire domain
          - from: https://old-domain.com/*
            to: https://new-domain.com
            status: 301
            preserveQuery: true
          
          # Campaign-specific domain
          - from: https://promo.example.com/*
            to: https://example.com/campaign
            status: 302

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CORS Configuration

zerops:
  - setup: app
    run:
      base: static
      routing:
        # Simple CORS (allows all origins)
        cors: "*"
        
        # Or with Nginx syntax
        cors: "'*' always"

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Custom Headers

zerops:
  - setup: app
    run:
      base: static
      routing:
        headers:
          - for: "/"
            values:
              X-Frame-Options: "'DENY'"
              X-Content-Type-Options: "'nosniff' always"
              Content-Security-Policy: '"default-src ''self''" always'
Header values are inserted directly into Nginx configuration. Always include proper quotes:
  • Simple values: "'DENY'"
  • Values with internal quotes: '"default-src ''self''"’
  • With ‘always’ directive: "'value' always"

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Framework Integration

The Static service works with any framework that generates static files: 
zerops:
  - setup: app
    build:
      base: nodejs@20
      buildCommands:
        - npm install
        - npm run build
      deployFiles:
        - dist/~  # Your framework's output directory
    run:
      base: static
Popular frameworks:
  • React: Deploy build/ or dist/
  • Vue: Deploy dist/
  • Angular: Deploy dist/<project-name>/
  • Svelte: Deploy build/ or dist/
  • Next.js: Deploy .next/ (static export)
  • Nuxt: Deploy .output/public/
  • Gatsby: Deploy public/

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SEO with Prerender

Enable Prerender.io to make your SPA SEO-friendly:
  1. Set the PRERENDER_TOKEN secret variable in Zerops GUI
  2. Optionally configure custom host:
zerops:
  - setup: app
    run:
      base: static
      envVariables:
        PRERENDER_HOST: your.prerender.host
Prerender automatically detects crawlers (including AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude) and serves them pre-rendered HTML while users get the full interactive experience.

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Migration to Full Nginx

If you need more control, you can migrate to a full Nginx service:
  1. Go to your Static service in Zerops GUI
  2. Click the three dots (⋮) in the left panel
  3. Select Need to switch to full Nginx service?
  4. Copy the generated Nginx configuration
  5. Use it as a starting point for a full Nginx service
This preserves your routing logic and gives you complete control over Nginx configuration.

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Comparison: Static vs Nginx

FeatureStatic ServiceFull Nginx
ConfigurationYAML-based, simplifiedFull Nginx config files
SPA SupportBuilt-in, no config neededManual configuration required
RedirectsSimple YAML rulesNginx rewrite directives
CORSOne-line configurationManual header configuration
Custom HeadersYAML configurationNginx add_header directives
Prerender.ioBuilt-in supportManual configuration
FlexibilityLimited to exposed featuresComplete control
Learning CurveLowRequires Nginx knowledge

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Next Steps

Quickstart

Deploy your first static site

Routing Guide

Learn advanced routing patterns

SEO Optimization

Set up Prerender.io

Framework Examples

See framework-specific examples

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