catalystbyzoho/codex-plugin/catalyst-appsail

How It Works

1. Identify the runtime — Managed runtime (Node.js, Java, Python) or custom Docker container.
2. Load `references/appsail-basics.md` — for PORT config, environment variables, Dockerfile requirements, and deploy commands.
3. PORT rule — Always use process.env.X_ZOHO_CATALYST_LISTEN_PORT, never hardcode PORT or 3000.
4. Serve & test locally, THEN deploy (local-first). Before catalyst deploy appsail, run catalyst serve and exercise the app's routes on Local (managed-service calls proxy to the Development environment), and run the project's test suite. Iterate locally until it passes; only then deploy to Development (catalyst deploy appsail --name <name> -ni), verify on the Development URL, and promote to Production only after that. Full loop: ../catalyst-basics/references/project-basics.md → Environments.
5. AppSail vs Functions decision — If the user is unsure which to use, apply this matrix:

Triggers

Use this skill for: "AppSail", "persistent server", "Docker on Catalyst", "backend hosting", X_ZOHO_CATALYST_LISTEN_PORT, appsail:add, "catalyst managed runtime", "deploy Express app", "AppSail vs Functions", "long-running process on Catalyst", or "containerized app on Catalyst".

References