In my previous post, where I delved into the basics of XM Cloud, I elaborated on the information architecture of XM Cloud and demonstrated how to navigate into the application. In this blog, my main focus will be to elucidate the process of launching a project using the deploy app, offering a detailed, step-by-step guide with thorough explanations.
As a novice user of XM Cloud, after you’re aware of the URL to access the XM Cloud gateway, your subsequent step is to start setting up a project. In XM Cloud, creating projects and environments can be done in two ways.
- Deploy App
- Sitecore CLI
This blog post concentrates on the Deploy App. It can readily be accessed either from the Quick Links section of the dashboard or by directly visiting the Deploy App URL. I’ll be providing a screenshot of both the Quick Links section and the Deploy App’s homepage for you to refer to.
So, let’s begin the process of creating a project by adhering to the guidance provided in the subsequent screenshots.
Click on the ‘Create Project’ button and the following screenshot will appear next.
Give a project name and click on continue ->Select Source controls as GitHub (I have selected GitHub here) → Connect -> Continue.
- If using the XM Cloud template — choose the provider where you want the Deploy app to create a new repository to store your environment code.
- If using your own source code — choose the provider that contains your customized XM Cloud template repository.
- If you want to use an existing source control connection, in the Choose GitHub account or Choose Azure DevOps account drop-down menu, click the account you want to use.
- If you want to use a new source control connection, click Connect to a new account, and follow the steps to authorize the Deploy app in your account.
I have selected GitHub -> using XM Cloud template ->enter name of new repository -> click on continue.
In last step just review the information and click on start deployment
Once you click start deployment Provisioning, Build, deployment, post actions steps will be performed.
Now let’s delve into understanding these steps, as it’s crucial to comprehend what occurs during each stage.
Provisioning
- creation of environment.
- creation of core , web , master db
- Setting up Experience Edge
- Configuring CM client
- Configuring index Sitecore
- Unified Identity
- Action Worker Identity
Build
- Downloading source code from git ref/commit: main
- Building Solution
- downloading artifacts
Deployment
- Deployment configuration file creation
- XDT transformations
- Binding redirects
Post Actions
- Warm Up Cm
- Populate Schema
- Reindex
Now click on Go to XM Cloud and you will land on below launchpad screen.
Here’s the highly anticipated launchpad screen, now with a fresh appearance and several new options (Pages, Components, Explorer), complemented by three new tabs named Sites, Tools, and System Settings.
As I conclude this blog post, I hope that the process of creating a project through the Deploy App has become familiar to you, if you’ve made it to the end.
Happy XM Cloud Learning…
