> Source URL: /unit-3/project-paths/makayla-c/makayla-c-2026-04-28-render-deploy.guide
# Makayla C — Render Deploy Guide

**Project:** CLP Curator  
**Repo:** `final-project-makaylacarnahan`  
**Goal:** Put Victor Paladin's CLP recommendation app online for Demo Day.

This guide is tailored to your current repo. Your app has `app.py`, `clps.py`, `ai.py`, `data/clp_events.csv`, templates, static files, `pyproject.toml`, and `uv.lock`. The deploy needs `gunicorn`, one OpenAI environment variable, and a `render.yaml` file.

---

## Before You Start

Make sure the app works locally:

```bash
uv sync
uv run flask --app app run --debug
```

Open the preview, enter a sentence like `I like music and social justice`, and confirm the results page shows Victor's message and event cards.

---

## Step 1 — Add the Production Server

Render should run your Flask app with `gunicorn`.

```bash
uv add gunicorn
```

This updates `pyproject.toml` and `uv.lock`.

---

## Step 2 — Add `.env.example`

Your app reads the OpenAI key in `ai.py`:

```text
OPENAI_API_KEY
```

Create `.env.example` at the project root:

```text
OPENAI_API_KEY=
```

Keep your real `.env` file private. Do not commit the actual key.

---

## Step 3 — Create `render.yaml`

Create a new file at the project root named `render.yaml`:

```yaml
services:
  - type: web
    name: clp-curator
    env: python
    plan: free
    buildCommand: uv sync --frozen && uv cache prune --ci
    startCommand: uv run gunicorn app:app
    autoDeploy: true
    envVars:
      - key: OPENAI_API_KEY
        sync: false
```

Your `data/clp_events.csv` file is committed in the repo, so Render will have the same CLP data your local app uses.

---

## Step 4 — Commit and Push

In Source Control, stage and commit:

- `pyproject.toml`
- `uv.lock`
- `.env.example`
- `render.yaml`

Use a message like:

```text
add render deploy config
```

Then click **Sync Changes**.

---

## Step 5 — Create the Render Service

1. Go to [render.com](https://render.com) and sign in with GitHub.
2. Click **New +** → **Web Service**.
3. Connect `final-project-makaylacarnahan`.
4. Confirm these settings:
   - **Environment:** `Python`
   - **Build Command:** `uv sync --frozen && uv cache prune --ci`
   - **Start Command:** `uv run gunicorn app:app`
   - **Plan:** `Free`
5. In **Environment Variables**, add your real `OPENAI_API_KEY`.
6. Click **Create Web Service**.

---

## Step 6 — Test the Live Site

When Render finishes, open the live URL and test the core flow:

1. Enter an interest sentence.
2. Wait for the loading page to redirect.
3. Confirm Victor gives a short message.
4. Confirm 1–3 CLP event cards appear with dates, topics, and commentary.

If the page errors after submit, check that `OPENAI_API_KEY` is set in Render and that `data/clp_events.csv` is committed.

---

## Demo Day Notes

CLP Curator reads from a committed CSV and does not save user data. Render's free tier may sleep after idle time, so open the live URL 1–2 minutes before presenting.


---

## Backlinks

The following sources link to this document:

- [April 28 — Render deploy](/unit-3/project-paths/projects.path.llm.md)
- [April 28 -- Render deploy](/unit-3/project-paths/makayla-c/makayla-c.path.llm.md)
- [April 28 - Render deploy](/unit-3/projects/showcase/makayla-c.project.llm.md)