Step-by-Step Guide: Deploy Latest Branch on Netlify

Step 1: Log in to Netlify

Log in to Netlify at: https://app.netlify.com/

Use the GitHub SSO method to sign in. After logging in, navigate to the project dashboard at: https://app.netlify.com/sites/kubernetes-sigs-cluster-api-ibmcloud

If you do not have access to this Netlify project, you will need to request membership. Raise a Netlify project membership request similar to the following example: https://github.com/kubernetes/org/issues/5284

Note:

  • As of today, only @Prajyot-Parab has direct access to this specific Netlify project.
  • Members of the Kubernetes Docs Team in Netlify have access to all Netlify projects under the Kubernetes organization.

Step 2: Open Your Project

From the Netlify dashboard, select the project (site) you want to deploy.

Step 3: Go to Project Configuration

In your project dashboard, navigate to Project configuration (or Site settings).

Step 4: Open Build & Deploy Settings

From the left-hand menu, click Build & deploy.

Step 5: Configure Deploy Contexts

Scroll to the Deploy contexts section.

Add the new release branch to the list of branches that should trigger deployments.

Step 6: Create a Pull Request to the Release Branch

In your Git repository (GitHub / GitLab / Bitbucket):

  • Create a pull request targeting the release branch
  • Ensure all checks pass
  • Merge the pull request into the release branch

Step 7: Trigger Netlify Branch Deployment

Once the pull request is merged, Netlify will automatically trigger a deploy for the release branch with the latest changes.

Step 8: Verify Deployment in Netlify

In Netlify, navigate to the Deploys section of your project.

You can:

  • Review the branch deploy status and logs for the latest release version
  • Preview the deployed site
  • Click Retry deploy → Deploy with latest commit if needed

Step 9: Disable Branch Deploys for Custom Domains

In Site settings → Domain management, configure automatic deploy subdomains:

  1. Go to Automatic deploy subdomains
  2. Click Edit custom domains
  3. Uncheck “Branch deploys”
  4. Click Save

This ensures branch deploys do not automatically attach to your custom domain.

Step 10: Configure Branch Subdomains

Still in Site settings, configure branch subdomains:

  1. Go to Domain management
  2. Navigate to Branch subdomains
  3. Click Add new branch subdomain
  4. Select or enter the new release branch
  5. Click Create branch subdomain

Step 11: Enable Branch Deploys for Custom Domains

In Site settings → Domain management, configure automatic deploy subdomains:

  1. Go to Automatic deploy subdomains
  2. Click Edit custom domains
  3. Check “Branch deploys”
  4. Click Save