How can I deploy a custom app on AWS EC2 without using NGROK?

Topic summary

Deploying a custom embedded Shopify app to AWS EC2 without ngrok. The app (Node/Express + React, using the latest template) is embedded in Shopify Admin and launched via an Admin link from an order detail page; it uses the order ID to fetch customer email and redirects to an external site with query parameters. The app is running in a Docker container on EC2.

Key guidance provided:

  • ngrok is not required.
  • Point a valid domain to the EC2 instance.
  • Use nginx to manage the domain and reverse proxy to the Shopify app.
  • Configure Shopify app callback URLs to use that domain.

Open questions (no answers yet):

  • Which port nginx should proxy to.
  • How to start the JavaScript app (exact node command).
  • Which environment variables are required and how to set them.
  • Which JavaScript processes run and when.
  • How to support webhooks.

Status: Partial, high-level consensus that production deployment on EC2 works without ngrok via domain + nginx + proper callback URLs. Detailed implementation steps remain unanswered; discussion is ongoing.

Summarized with AI on December 30. AI used: gpt-5.

Same answer I wrote in the original post :slightly_smiling_face: