Shipping .NET and Next.js on a Linux VPS

When I started shipping client projects, I tried every "modern" PaaS. They all worked — until the free tiers got in the way. So I went back to basics: a Linux VPS, Nginx, and a small toolbox of commands I now know by heart.

The setup

• Nginx as the reverse proxy, handling SSL via Let's Encrypt
• systemd for .NET services, PM2 for Node.js apps
• MySQL on the same box for smaller projects, managed otherwise
• Git pull + build + reload for deploys — no fancy CI unless the project earns it

Why this still wins

1. You understand every layer. When something breaks, you know where to look.
2. No surprise bills. The VPS is fixed-cost.
3. It's fast. Real SSDs, a single hop between app and database, no cold starts.

What I wish I knew earlier

• Keep your Nginx config in version control from day one
• Set up automated backups before you need them
• Use pm2 save + pm2 startup so your apps survive reboots
• Monitor disk space — the one thing that will actually bite you

This isn't glamorous, but it's reliable. And for client work, reliable wins every time.