3 Ways to Host a React App in Xano

Xano isn't just for your backend anymore. You can now host your React front end right alongside your Xano backend — no third-party hosting services required. Whether you prefer a visual interface, working inside your IDE, or automating deployments programmatically, there's a method that fits your workflow.

Here's a breakdown of all three approaches so you can pick the one that works best for you.

Uploading a React Build Through the Xano UI

If you're already working inside the Xano platform, this is the most straightforward option. Head to the Library tab and find Static Hosting. From there, create a new site, give it a name, and you'll be presented with a drag-and-drop upload interface.

What you'll want to upload is your compiled React build — zip your project's build output and drag it right into the uploader. Xano will process the file and begin building it automatically. You can monitor progress and troubleshoot any issues using the log panel in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Once your build is ready, you'll see options to deploy to development or production — a useful distinction that lets you test changes without pushing them live to your users.

Deploying from VS Code with the Xano Extension

If you spend most of your time in an IDE like VS Code, Cursor, or Windsurf, you can deploy without ever leaving your editor. With the Xano extension installed, open the command palette (Cmd+Shift+P or Ctrl+Shift+P) and run XanoScript: Upload Static Files.

You'll be prompted to choose between a development or production deployment, and that's it — your front end is uploaded directly from your project directory. This makes it a natural fit for day-to-day development where you want fast iteration without switching contexts.

Automating Uploads with the Xano MCP Server

For scripted or automated workflows, the Xano MCP server integration gives you the most flexibility. To set it up, navigate to your instance settings, open Metadata API and MCP Server, and enable the Front End tool. Copy your SSE connection URL and generate an access token to authenticate your requests.

In your workflow, you'll combine your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into a zip file, encode it as Base64 with the correct data:application/zip;base64 header, then use the create static host build MCP tool to push the file. You'll pass parameters like the file data, name, description, workspace ID, and static host name.

This method is especially powerful when building with AI tools or running automated deployment pipelines — and it's the backbone of projects like the Xano Lovable Clone demo.

Choosing the Right Method

Each approach serves a different need: the UI is great for one-off uploads, the VS Code extension suits active development, and the MCP server is ideal for automation and scripted workflows. All three give you the same end result — a live React app running entirely within Xano.