Streamine your WIX deployment

1. Set Up Local Development Environment

Although Wix doesn't allow direct local development, you can simulate a development environment by using Velo by Wix for custom coding and testing.

Enable Velo by Wix

• Go to the Dev Mode section in your Wix Editor and enable Velo by Wix.
• This gives you access to custom backend files, APIs, and database collections.

Export/Sync Code:

• Use the Wix CLI to sync your Wix site's code to your local environment. Install the CLI using:

npm install -g @wix/velo-cli        

• Log in to your Wix account via the CLI and sync the codebase:

velo init
velo pull        

Local Code Development:

• Make edits to your site's backend, frontend, and database schemas locally.
• Use version control (e.g., GitHub) to manage changes.

2. Test Site for Client Access

Wix doesn't support true staging environments out of the box, but you can create a duplicate site as a test site for client approvals.

Duplicate the Site:

• Go to your site's dashboard.
• Click on Site Actions > Duplicate Site.
• Rename this site to reflect its role (e.g., MySite-Test).

Deploy Changes to Test Site:

• Push updates from your local environment to the test site using the CLI:

velo push --site {test-site-id}        

• Alternatively, manually update the duplicated site using the Wix Editor.

Share Test Site:

• Provide the URL of the test site to your clients for approval.
• Use password protection or restrict access to certain users for privacy.

3. Production Deployment

Once changes are approved on the test site, deploy them to your live production site.

Automate Deployments:

Use the Wix CLI to push the approved code to the production site:

velo push --site {production-site-id}        

Sync Databases:

If you use databases in your site, ensure the database content is synced from the test site to the production site using Wix's Data Manager.

4. Automating the Workflow with CI/CD

To make this process seamless, integrate a CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or another CI/CD tool.

Setup GitHub Repository:

• Store your Wix code in a GitHub repository.

Add CI/CD Configuration:

• Use a tool like GitHub Actions to create a pipeline for pushing changes.
• Example ci.yml file:

name: Wix Deployment

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  deploy:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest

    steps:
      - name: Checkout Code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2

      - name: Install Wix CLI
        run: npm install -g @wix/velo-cli

      - name: Deploy to Test Site
        run: velo push --site {test-site-id}

      - name: Deploy to Production (manual approval)
        if: github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
        run: velo push --site {production-site-id}        

• Trigger the test site deployment automatically on pushes to the main branch.
• Deploy to production with manual approval.

Schedule Backups:

Use the Wix CLI to pull production site code regularly and back it up in your repository:

velo pull --site {production-site-id}        

5. Manage Feedback and Changes

• Track Issues: Use project management tools like Jira or GitHub Issues for tracking client feedback on the test site.
• Iterate Quickly: Push changes locally and redeploy to the test site as needed.

Why This Matters

Setting up this CI/CD-like workflow for Wix allows you to:

• Develop locally with a structured codebase.
• Offer clients a test environment for reviewing changes.
• Deploy with confidence to production.

While Wix may not support traditional CI/CD pipelines, creativity and tools like Velo by Wix and the Wix CLI can bridge the gap.