CI/CD Is Not Only for the Cloud: Building a CI/CD Pipeline for Shared Hosting Using GitHub Actions

This text debunks the myth that CI/CD is only for cloud platforms, showcasing its feasibility on shared hosting like Namecheap. It details a real-world Laravel application CI/CD pipeline built with GitHub Actions, SSH, and rsync. The author highlights the challenges specific to shared hosting, such as limited server control and SSH authentication issues. A step-by-step guide is provided, covering SSH key generation, GitHub secrets setup, and workflow creation. Rsync is chosen for its efficiency in transferring only changed files, preventing downtime. Best practices are emphasized, including security measures, deployment strategies, and general stability tips. The guide concludes that CI/CD, though more challenging on shared hosting, is achievable and beneficial for automation. The text emphasizes that the core of CI/CD lies in the process, not just the infrastructure.