---
title: "How to deploy an Axum app"
description: "Deploy an Axum app to Ample with your coding agent, the CLI or MCP, using build and start commands verified on September 21, 2026."
canonical_url: "https://ample.computer/guides/axum"
last_updated: "2026-09-21"
author: "Ample Computer"
---

# How to deploy an Axum app

Deploy an Axum app to Ample with your coding agent, the CLI or MCP, using build and start commands verified on September 21, 2026.

## The short version

To deploy an Axum app on Ample, run `ample deploy . --name <app-name> --public` in the project directory, or ask your coding agent to deploy it to Ample. Ample builds it on the `ubuntu-24.04` template, runs the tested start command below and returns a public HTTPS URL.

## Deploy Axum

1. **Ask your coding agent.** Install the Ample CLI and create an account, then ask your agent: "Deploy this Axum app to Ample".

   ```sh
   curl -fsSL https://get.ample.computer/install.sh | sh
   ample auth signup
   ```

2. **Or deploy from the CLI.** It waits until the app is live or failed and prints the URL.

   ```sh
   ample deploy . --name <app-name> --public
   ```

3. **Or use MCP.** Call `ample_deploy` on `https://api.ample.computer/mcp` (or `ample mcp` over stdio).
4. **Verify.** On failure read `ample logs <deployment_id> --kind build`, fix the cause and deploy again.

## Tested configuration

| | |
|---|---|
| Template | `ubuntu-24.04` |
| Build | `cargo build --release` |
| Start | `./$(ls target/release/*.d \| grep -v '/lib' \| head -n 1 \| sed 's/\.d$//')` |
| Tested size | `s-1vcpu-2gb` |

Verified on Axum: the app built and started with the documented commands and answered on its public HTTPS URL. Build and start: cargo build --release in the rust builder image (stable toolchain, Cargo.lock committed, pure-Rust dependencies), then the release binary on the ubuntu-24.04 template reading PORT and DATABASE_URL.

Last verification (2026-09-21): Axum pattern fixture deployed on Ample (cargo build --release in the rust builder image (stable toolchain, Cargo.lock committed, pure-Rust dependencies), then the release binary on the ubuntu-24.04 template reading PORT and DATABASE_URL); for this guide: the app built and started with the documented commands and answered on its public HTTPS URL.

## You need

- An Axum project (cargo build --release in the rust builder image (stable toolchain, Cargo.lock committed, pure-Rust dependencies), then the release binary on the ubuntu-24.04 template reading PORT and DATABASE_URL)
- An Ample account token with servers:write

## Know the limits

- Verified on the ubuntu-24.04 template at s-1vcpu-2gb; other sizes and Axum major versions are not verified.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a Dockerfile to deploy Axum?

No. Ample detects Axum from the repository and builds it from source on the `ubuntu-24.04` template. Dockerfile build steps are not run.

### How do I add a database to a Axum app?

Leave DATABASE_URL unset and deploy: when the code needs Postgres, MySQL, Redis or MongoDB, Ample creates a managed database and passes its connection string to the app. See [Connect Postgres for Axum](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/database-connection).

### What does it cost to host a Axum app on Ample?

The Free plan runs 2 apps at once with no card and a hard monthly budget, so it never bills you. Larger needs are priced on volume; see [pricing](https://ample.computer/pricing).

### What if the deploy fails?

`ample deploy` waits until the app is live or failed. A failure returns who must act, a diagnosis and a suggested fix; read the logs with `ample logs <deployment_id> --kind build`. See [Diagnose deployment failures for Axum](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/deployment-diagnostics).

## More for Axum

- [How to serve Axum public assets through a CDN on Ample](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/cdn-assets): Cdn assets for a Axum app on Ample
- [How to set environment variables and secrets for an Axum app on Ample](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/configuration-secrets): Configuration and secrets for a Axum app on Ample
- [How to connect an Axum app to Postgres on Ample](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/database-connection): Database connection for a Axum app on Ample
- [How to fix a failed Axum deploy on Ample](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/deployment-diagnostics): Deployment diagnostics for a Axum app on Ample
- [How to use S3-compatible storage from an Axum app on Ample](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/object-client): Object storage client for a Axum app on Ample
- [How to serve private files from an Axum app on Ample](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/private-file-access): Private file access for a Axum app on Ample
- [How to run database migrations for an Axum app on Ample](https://ample.computer/guides/axum/schema-changes): Schema changes for a Axum app on Ample