I encountered mixed content errors from my browser as Netlify enforces api requests to be made over https, while my backend did not have a domain.

The Initial Solution:

Set lets encrypt on my Nginx Docker Container

Problems:

• No straightforward solution to install lets encrypt on docker container
• Difficult to set up renewal process for the certs as well

The Final Solution:

Caddy - reverse proxy from my localhost post to my domain with automatic HTTPS. Yes, automatic!! HTTPS!!

1. Get a domain

Yes you would still require a domain. Lets encrypt doesn't allow ip addresses to gain https certificates. So you have to get a domain or a subdomain.

2. Get domain to point to your droplet IP

In my case, the domain was managed by DO so we just had to create a new A record for the subdomain

3. Configure Caddy

Download Caddy.

curl https://getcaddy.com | bash -s personal

Create a Caddyfile (in my case, is of a redirect)

domain.com {
  proxy / localhost:3000
}

4. Get Caddy to run in the background

4a. use nohup

4b. use tmux

Tmux was a terminal multiplexer which served my needs sufficiently, hence I went with that.

Tada! Caddy to the rescue. No more nginx containers, no more renewal for lets encrypt. This is really a gem. Saved me time when trying to get my frontend and backend working together!