DEPLOY.md

# Deploying to Fly.io

This backend service uses `Docker` and `uv` for easy deployment. Since it uses SQLite for data persistence, we need to configure a persistent volume on Fly.io.

## Prerequisites

1. Install `flyctl` (Fly.io CLI).
2. Login: `fly auth login`.

## Deployment Steps

### 1. Initialize the App

Run the launch command in this directory (`backend/`):

```bash
fly launch
```

- **Choose a unique app name** (e.g., `my-chatkit-backend`).
- **Select a region** (choose one close to you).
- **Would you like to set up a Postgresql database now?** -> **No** (we use SQLite).
- **Would you like to set up an Upstash Redis database now?** -> **No**.
- **Do you want to deploy now?** -> **No** (we need to set secrets first).

This creates a `fly.toml` file.

### 2. Set Up Data Persistence (Volumes)

Since the app uses SQLite (`chatkit_threads.db` and `user_state.db`), you need a persistent volume so data isn't lost when the app restarts.

Create a 1GB volume (adjust size if needed):

```bash
fly volumes create chatkit_data --size 1 --region <your-region>
```
*Make sure to use the same region you selected in step 1.*

### 3. Update `fly.toml`

Open `fly.toml` and add the `[mounts]` section to mount the volume to `/data` in the container. Also add the environment variables to tell the app to use that path.

Add this to `fly.toml`:

```toml
[mounts]
  source = "chatkit_data"
  destination = "/data"

[env]
  CHATKIT_DB_PATH = "/data/chatkit_threads.db"
  USER_STATE_DB_PATH = "/data/user_state.db"
  PORT = "8000"
```

### 4. Set Secrets

Set your API keys using `fly secrets`. Copy values from your `.env.local`:

```bash
fly secrets set \
  GROQ_API_KEY=your_groq_key \
  OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_key \
  OPENROUTER_API_KEY=your_openrouter_key \
  DEEPSEEK_API_KEY=your_deepseek_key \
  GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_google_key \
  CARTESIA_API=your_cartesia_key
```

### 5. Deploy

Now you are ready to deploy:

```bash
fly deploy
```

## Verifying Deployment

Check the logs to ensure everything started correctly:

```bash
fly logs
```

Your app should now be running!