Deploying applications to Heroku has been a common practice among developers due to its simplicity, scalability, and flexibility. However, many developers assume that .NET applications are difficult to deploy on Heroku because Heroku natively supports languages like Node.js, Python, Ruby, and Go. Fortunately, deploying .NET applications on Heroku is straightforward, and with the right setup, you can deploy your app with just a single command.

This article will guide you through setting up, configuring, and deploying your .NET application on Heroku using the Heroku CLI and Git. We will provide coding examples and a step-by-step explanation to ensure you can successfully deploy your app with minimal effort.

Prerequisites

Before deploying a .NET application on Heroku, ensure you have the following installed:

• .NET SDK
• Git
• Heroku CLI
• A Heroku account
• A PostgreSQL database (optional, if your application uses one)

Once you have these installed, you’re ready to proceed.

Setting Up Your .NET Application

1. Create a .NET Core Web API

First, create a new .NET Core web API by running the following command in your terminal:

 dotnet new webapi -n MyHerokuApp
 cd MyHerokuApp

This will create a new .NET Core Web API project named MyHerokuApp.

2. Initialize a Git Repository

To deploy the app to Heroku, we need to initialize a Git repository. Run the following commands:

git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"

3. Add a Procfile

Heroku requires a Procfile to specify how to run the application. Create a Procfile in the root directory and add the following content:

web: dotnet MyHerokuApp.dll

4. Configure the .NET Core App to Listen on the Correct Port

Modify Program.cs to ensure the app listens on the correct port that Heroku provides:

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
var app = builder.Build();

var port = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("PORT") ?? "5000";
app.Urls.Add("http://*:" + port);

app.MapGet("/", () => "Hello from Heroku!");

app.Run();

Deploying the Application to Heroku

1. Log in to Heroku

Authenticate with Heroku by running:

heroku login

2. Create a Heroku App

Create a new Heroku app by running:

heroku create my-dotnet-app

Replace my-dotnet-app with your desired app name.

3. Add a Buildpack for .NET

Heroku does not natively support .NET, so we need to add a third-party buildpack:

heroku buildpacks:set jincod/dotnetcore

4. Set Up Environment Variables

If your app requires environment variables, set them using:

heroku config:set ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT=Production

5. Deploying with Just One Command

Now, to deploy your application with a single command, use:

git push heroku main

If your branch is named master, use:

git push heroku master

Heroku will automatically detect the .NET buildpack, restore dependencies, build the application, and start running it.

6. Open Your Application

Once the deployment is complete, you can open your app in the browser using:

heroku open

Handling Database Configurations

If your application requires a PostgreSQL database, you can add the Heroku Postgres add-on:

heroku addons:create heroku-postgresql:hobby-dev

After adding the database, retrieve the connection string with:

heroku config

Update your appsettings.json or environment variables to use the Heroku database connection string.

Continuous Deployment (CD)

If you want to automatically deploy your changes whenever you push to GitHub, connect your Heroku app to a GitHub repository:

heroku git:remote -a my-dotnet-app

Then enable GitHub deployments using the Heroku dashboard:

1. Go to Heroku Dashboard
2. Select your app
3. Navigate to the Deploy tab
4. Connect to GitHub and enable automatic deploys

Debugging Issues

If you run into issues, check the logs using:

heroku logs --tail

This will display real-time logs from your Heroku app, helping you troubleshoot any deployment or runtime errors.

Conclusion

Deploying .NET applications on Heroku is not only possible but also efficient when following the correct steps. By utilizing a third-party buildpack, configuring a Procfile, and ensuring the correct environment settings, you can get your application running seamlessly in the cloud.

One of the most significant advantages of Heroku is its ease of deployment—once you set up your project correctly, deploying updates is as simple as running git push heroku main. This efficiency reduces the complexity typically associated with cloud deployments and enables developers to focus on building great applications rather than managing infrastructure.

Moreover, Heroku offers additional features such as scalable dynos, automated deployment integration with GitHub, and managed databases like PostgreSQL, making it a powerful platform for hosting .NET applications. Whether you are working on a personal project, a startup, or an enterprise application, Heroku provides a flexible and hassle-free hosting solution.

With a well-structured approach and adherence to best practices, deploying .NET applications on Heroku can be a seamless and rewarding experience. By leveraging the power of cloud-based deployment, you can ensure that your application is accessible, scalable, and maintainable with minimal effort. Now that you have the knowledge to deploy your .NET application to Heroku, it’s time to take your projects to the next level.