How to Deploy a Dockerized API to Azure App Service Using GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps

Objective

To demonstrate how to containerize an API (e.g., .NET, Node.js, Python), deploy it to Azure App Services using Docker, and set up an automated CI/CD workflow with GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps. We’ll also cover local development and testing.

Prerequisites

• Azure account with App Service plan (Linux).
• Docker installed on your local machine.
• A working API project.
• Azure CLI or Docker CLI authenticated.
• GitHub or Azure DevOps repository.

Step 1: Containerize Your API Locally

Sample Dockerfile (.NET 8 example)

Build and run locally

Step 2: Create an Azure App Service for Containers

Step 3: Push Your Docker Image

You can use Docker Hub or Azure Container Registry (ACR).

Docker Hub

ACR (optional)

Step 4: Configure App Service to Use Your Container

Step 5: Setup CI/CD with GitHub Actions

Sample GitHub Workflow (.github/workflows/deploy.yml)

Step 6: Local Development Tips

Debug with Docker locally

• Use docker-compose if you have dependencies (e.g., databases).
• Mount local volume for hot reload (optional).
• Use launchSettings.json and environment variables to simulate production.

Example for VS Code launch.json

Summary

1.Dockerize the API

2.Deploy App Service on Linux

3.Push Docker image

4.Connect App Service to container

5.Set up GitHub Actions for CI/CD

6.Debug locally with Docker

References

• Azure App Service Docker docs
• GitHub Actions for Azure
• Docker for .NET