# Vercel CLI with Tokens

Deploy and manage projects on Vercel using the CLI with token-based authentication, without relying on `vercel login`.

## Step 1: Locate the Vercel Token

Before running any Vercel CLI commands, identify where the token is coming from. Work through these scenarios in order:

### A) `VERCEL_TOKEN` is already set in the environment

```bash
printenv VERCEL_TOKEN
```

If this returns a value, you're ready. Skip to Step 2.

### B) Token is in a `.env` file under `VERCEL_TOKEN`

```bash
grep '^VERCEL_TOKEN=' .env 2>/dev/null
```

If found, export it:

```bash
export VERCEL_TOKEN=$(grep '^VERCEL_TOKEN=' .env | cut -d= -f2-)
```

### C) Token is in a `.env` file under a different name

```bash
grep -i 'vercel' .env 2>/dev/null
```

Inspect the output to identify which variable holds the token (Vercel tokens typically start with `vca_`), then export it as `VERCEL_TOKEN`.

### D) No token found — ask the user

If none of the above yield a token, ask the user to provide one. They can create a Vercel access token at vercel.com/account/tokens.

**Important:** Once `VERCEL_TOKEN` is exported as an environment variable, the Vercel CLI reads it natively — **do not pass it as a `--token` flag**.

```bash
# Bad — token visible in shell history and process listings
vercel deploy --token "vca_abc123"

# Good — CLI reads VERCEL_TOKEN from the environment
export VERCEL_TOKEN="vca_abc123"
vercel deploy
```

## Step 2: Locate the Project and Team

```bash
# Check environment
printenv VERCEL_PROJECT_ID
printenv VERCEL_ORG_ID

# Or check .env
grep -i 'vercel' .env 2>/dev/null
```

If you have both `VERCEL_ORG_ID` and `VERCEL_PROJECT_ID` in your environment, export them — the CLI will use these automatically and skip any `.vercel/` directory. Both parameters must be set together.

## CLI Setup

```bash
npm install -g vercel
vercel --version
```

## Deploying a Project

Always deploy as **preview** unless the user explicitly requests production.

### Quick Deploy (project ID available)

```bash
vercel deploy -y --no-wait
vercel deploy --scope <team-slug> -y --no-wait

# Production (only when explicitly requested):
vercel deploy --prod --scope <team-slug> -y --no-wait

# Check status:
vercel inspect <deployment-url>
```

### Full Deploy Flow (linking required)

```bash
# Check project state first
git remote get-url origin 2>/dev/null
cat .vercel/project.json 2>/dev/null || cat .vercel/repo.json 2>/dev/null

# Link with git remote (preferred)
vercel link --repo --scope <team-slug> -y

# Link without git remote
vercel link --scope <team-slug> -y

# Link to specific project by name
vercel link --project <project-name> --scope <team-slug> -y
```

## Managing Environment Variables

```bash
# Set for all environments
echo "value" | vercel env add VAR_NAME --scope <team-slug>

# Set for a specific environment
echo "value" | vercel env add VAR_NAME production --scope <team-slug>

# List environment variables
vercel env ls --scope <team-slug>

# Pull env vars to local .env.local file
vercel env pull --scope <team-slug>

# Remove a variable
vercel env rm VAR_NAME --scope <team-slug> -y
```

## Inspecting Deployments

```bash
# List recent deployments
vercel ls --format json --scope <team-slug>

# Inspect a specific deployment
vercel inspect <deployment-url>

# View build logs (requires Vercel CLI v35+)
vercel inspect <deployment-url> --logs

# View runtime request logs
vercel logs <deployment-url>
```

## Managing Domains

```bash
# List domains
vercel domains ls --scope <team-slug>

# Add a domain (linked directory)
vercel domains add <domain> --scope <team-slug>

# Add a domain (unlinked directory — requires project name)
vercel domains add <domain> <project> --scope <team-slug>
```

## Troubleshooting

### Token not found
```bash
printenv | grep -i vercel
grep -i vercel .env 2>/dev/null
```

### Authentication error
Verify: `vercel whoami` (uses `VERCEL_TOKEN` from environment). Ask for a fresh token if expired.

### Wrong team
```bash
vercel whoami --scope <team-slug>
```

### Build failure
```bash
vercel inspect <deployment-url> --logs
```

Common causes: missing dependencies, missing environment variables, framework misconfiguration.

## Working Agreement

- **Never pass `VERCEL_TOKEN` as a `--token` flag.** Export it as an environment variable.
- **Check the environment for tokens before asking the user.**
- **Default to preview deployments.**
- **Ask before pushing to git.**
- **Do not modify `.vercel/` files directly.**
- **Use `--format json`** for structured output.
- **Use `-y`** on commands that prompt for confirmation.

## Installation

```bash
npx skills add https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills --skill vercel-cli-with-tokens
```

---

*Mirrored from [https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills) — original author: **vercel-labs**, license: **MIT**.*
*This is an unclaimed mirror. Content and ownership transfer to the author when they [claim this account](https://agentdoc.sh/docs/claim).*


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