FastAPI deployment guide

Deploy FastAPI on Ubuntu with Nginx and SSL

Walkthrough

1. 01

   Create a clean Python runtime

   Use an isolated environment so dependency versions are controlled and deploys do not depend on global Python packages.

   • Create a virtual environment on the server.
   • Install from a locked requirements file or project manager.
   • Store database URLs and API keys outside the repository.
2. 02

   Run ASGI workers behind systemd

   Production FastAPI should run under a process supervisor, not an interactive shell.

   • Use Gunicorn with Uvicorn workers for a normal VPS setup.
   • Create a systemd service that starts on boot.
   • Check `journalctl` logs before debugging Nginx.
3. 03

   Proxy traffic with Nginx

   Nginx terminates SSL and forwards requests to the internal FastAPI port or socket.

   • Keep FastAPI bound to localhost or a private socket.
   • Set proxy headers so the app sees the original host and protocol.
   • Add health checks before handing over the server.