Vercel Deploy Hooks — Quick Setup

Where: Project Settings → Git → Deploy Hooks

Create a hook:

1. Name it (e.g., main-deploy, staging-deploy)
2. Select the branch (main or staging)
3. Hit Create → Copy the URL

You’ll get a unique URL like:

https://api.vercel.com/v1/integrations/deploy/prj_xxxx/yyyy

Trigger a deploy:

curl -X POST https://api.vercel.com/v1/integrations/deploy/prj_xxxx/yyyy

Create Staging Environment on Vercel

Where: Project Settings → Environments

1. Create the staging environment:

• Click “Create Environment”
• Name it staging (or Staging)
• Set Branch Tracking → staging - you will have to create staging branch on GitHub first
• Optionally attach domain
• Import Variables from production environment

2. Disable Deployment Protection:

Navigate to project settings -> Deployment Protection:

• Deployment Protection → Vercel Authentication → OFF

Now anyone with the URL can view staging without logging in.

3. Add a custom domain (optional):

Project Settings → Domains → Add staging.yourdomain.com

Edit → assign it to the staging environment/branch.

GitHub Actions Setup

1. Store the hook URL as a secret:

Repo → Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions → New repository secret

• Name: VERCEL_DEPLOY_HOOK_MAIN (and/or VERCEL_DEPLOY_HOOK_STAGING)
• Value: your deploy hook URL

2. Create workflow file .github/workflows/deploy.yml:

name: Trigger Vercel Deploy
 
on:
  push:
    branches: [main, staging]
  # or trigger manually:
  workflow_dispatch:
 
jobs:
  deploy:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Deploy Main
        if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
        run: curl -X POST ${{ secrets.VERCEL_DEPLOY_HOOK_MAIN }}
 
      - name: Deploy Staging
        if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/staging'
        run: curl -X POST ${{ secrets.VERCEL_DEPLOY_HOOK_STAGING }}