# Dry-run deployments with Vercel CLI

Source: [Vercel](https://vercel.com/changelog/dry-run-deployments-with-vercel-cli)  
Feed7 permalink: https://feed7.dev/p/dry-run-deployments-with-vercel-cli-0ms7auu  
Published: Unknown  
Trust: Official Source (official_source)

## Why Included

vercel deploy --dry (CLI v54.17.2+) prints the framework and full file manifest a deploy would upload, as JSON when piped — a pre-deploy check agents can loop on without ever creating a deployment.

## Source Summary

**The gist** Vercel CLI **v54.17.2** adds **vercel deploy --dry**, which shows the detected framework preset and exactly which files a deployment would include, without uploading anything. With **--format=json** (automatic for piped or non-TTY output) it returns a full manifest: included and ignored paths, directory size distribution, largest files, **file modes and content hashes**.

## Practical Implication

**Why it matters** This gives a coding agent a cheap, deterministic pre-deploy gate: verify framework detection, catch missing or unexpected files, flag oversized assets, then edit **.vercelignore** or project config and rerun until the manifest matches intent — **no deployment is created** along the way.

## Agent-Ready Context

**The gist** Vercel CLI **v54.17.2** adds **vercel deploy --dry**, which shows the detected framework preset and exactly which files a deployment would include, without uploading anything. With **--format=json** (automatic for piped or non-TTY output) it returns a full manifest: included and ignored paths, directory size distribution, largest files, **file modes and content hashes**.

**Why it matters** This gives a coding agent a cheap, deterministic pre-deploy gate: verify framework detection, catch missing or unexpected files, flag oversized assets, then edit **.vercelignore** or project config and rerun until the manifest matches intent — **no deployment is created** along the way.

**Watch out** A dry run validates the **file manifest**, not the build — compile errors and runtime config issues still only surface on a real deployment. It requires CLI **v54.17.2 or later**.

## Context Map

- Layer: infra
- Domains: coding
- Topics: dev-ux, harness-engineering

## Uncertainty

- A dry run validates the **file manifest**, not the build — compile errors and runtime config issues still only surface on a real deployment. It requires CLI **v54.17.2 or later**.

## Agent Instruction

Use this item as source-backed context. Do not invent claims beyond the linked source. If this item conflicts with another source, call out the conflict.
