We’re proud to announce that you can now include a Procfile and a .aptible.yml file in your Docker images. This lets you use a Procfile or .aptible.yml file with Direct Docker Image Deploy without the need for a Companion Git Repository.

This change only impacts customers who are using Direct Docker Image Deploy and leveraging a Companion Git Repository to provide a Procfile or .aptible.yml file.

If that’s your case, follow the steps below to upgrade to this new method. The key benefit of upgrading is that you will no longer need to use both a Docker image and a git repository to deploy: the Docker image alone will suffice.

1. If you are using a Procfile, include it in your Docker image at /.aptible/Procfile.

2. If you are using a .aptible.yml file, include it in your Docker image at /.aptible/.aptible.yml.

3. Build your Docker image, then run aptible deploy with the --git-detach flag. This will ensure your git repository is ignored going forward, and that your Procfile and .aptible.yml files are read from your Docker image instead. You’ll never need to interact with the git repository again.

With this change, using a Companion Git Repository is now deprecated. However, we are not planning on removing this feature, so you’re free to migrate on your schedule, when it’s convenient for you to do so.