Cursor Practice Project-16: Rapid Development of Social Media Image Tools with Cursor - A Complete Guide from Concept to Launch (Part 4) — Domain Purchase + GitHub + Vercel + Cloudflare → Website Deployment

Project Description

From Zero to Live: Deploy your website to the internet in 2 hours using domain + GitHub + Vercel + Cloudflare.

What you'll accomplish: Select/bind domain → Push code to GitHub → Vercel auto-build deployment → Configure DNS & HTTPS, all in one seamless process.

Core philosophy: Focus only on coding, let automation handle the rest; commits trigger deployments, updates go live instantly, with one-click rollback for errors.

Final outcome: A globally accessible, HTTPS-secured website under your custom domain.

Estimated time: ~2 hours, suitable for absolute beginners.

Demo

Live website: pixtoolkits.com

pixtoolkits.com

Prerequisites

Cursor
- Version: 1.3.9
- cursor rules: https://cursorpractice.com/zh/cursor-tutorials/prompts/system-prompts
- agent: claude-4-sonnet-thinking, GTP-5
- project rules: ./cursorpractice-06-10xUse.md
Optional: Gemini CLI
- Install: npm install -g @gemini-cli/gemini
- Usage: gemini --help

Why Choose This Approach

Component advantages: GitHub (collaboration & versioning), Vercel (zero-config deployment & edge capabilities), Cloudflare (global DNS & security).
Hassle-free: Push code to GitHub and your site auto-deploys, no server management.
Cost-effective: All services offer free tiers suitable for individuals/small teams.
Faster access: Global acceleration for smooth access worldwide.
Enhanced security: HTTPS by default with built-in protection.
Better collaboration: Version history, preview URLs, and one-click rollback.
Portable: Domain managed via Cloudflare allows future platform changes.
Notes:
- Initial domain/SSL setup may take minutes to hours.
- Cache images/pages but avoid forced caching for APIs/real-time data.
- Instant rollback available for deployment issues.

Workflow

Domain registration
Create GitHub repository
Code editing in Cursor, commit to GitHub
Vercel setup & GitHub integration
Domain binding, DNS configuration, auto HTTPS
Access via domain

Detailed Steps

1) Domain Registration

Multiple registrars available; we use NameSilo: www.namesilo.com/
Have Cursor suggest domain names based on project functionality, then verify availability
Purchase pixtoolkits.com

2) GitHub Repository Setup

GitHub account registration
Create new repository: Top-right '+' → "New repository"
Name repository (matching domain recommended), choose public/private visibility
Copy repository URL

3) Cursor Code Editing & GitHub Integration

In Cursor: Git icon → '...' → "Remote" → "Add Remote Repository" → Enter URL/name
Complete authentication if prompted (let Cursor assist if needed)
After successful binding, push code (left panel shows local commits and orange cloud icon for remote)

4) Vercel Setup & GitHub Integration

Vercel account registration
Create project: "ADD NEW..." → "Project"
Connect GitHub account (follow auth prompts)
Under 'Import Git repository', select your repo (may require GitHub App configuration first)
In GitHub: Settings → Applications → Repository access → Grant access to specific repos
Return to Vercel, select repo → 'Import'
Enter project name → 'Deploy'
Monitor deployment (errors may occur)
Share error screenshots with Cursor for fixes
After fixes, commit via Cursor → automatic deployment. Successful deployment shows dashboard link