I have a Node project that is using Bundler and Guard to handle my pre-compilations steps. This means that I have a Gemfile in the root of my project along with the package.json file.
My problem is that Heroku believes that my project is a Ruby app, just because the Gemfile exists. And complains that I have not committed the Gemfile.lock, which I don't want to commit.
-----> Heroku receiving push
-----> Ruby app detected
!
! Gemfile.lock is required. Please run "bundle install" locally
! and commit your Gemfile.lock.
!
! Heroku push rejected, failed to compile Ruby app
Is there a way to tell Heroku that the app is a Node app and not a Ruby app?
The solution to this, with a lot of help from Heroku Support is: use a build pack!
Override the Heroku default buildpacks by specifying a custom buildpack in the BUILDPACK_URL config var
$ heroku config:add BUILDPACK_URL=https://github.com/heroku/heroku-buildpack-nodejs
You can also specify a buildpack during app creation
$ heroku create -s cedar --buildpack https://github.com/heroku/heroku-buildpack-nodejs
Simple when you know it. Some more documentation can be found at Heroku Dev Center