---
title: "The 12-Factor App"
description: "Best practices for building modern, scalable, and reliable applications."
image: "https://assets.bytebytego.com/diagrams/0028-12-factor-app.png"
createdAt: "2024-02-21"
draft: false
categories:
  - cloud-distributed-systems
tags:
  - "Application Architecture"
  - "Best Practices"
---

![](https://assets.bytebytego.com/diagrams/0028-12-factor-app.png)

The "12 Factor App" offers a set of best practices for building modern software applications. Following these 12 principles can help developers and teams in building reliable, scalable, and manageable applications.

Here's a brief overview of each principle:

## I. Codebase

Have one place to keep all your code, and manage it using version control like Git.

## II. Dependencies

List all the things your app needs to work properly, and make sure they're easy to install.

## III. Config

Keep important settings like database credentials separate from your code, so you can change them without rewriting code.

## IV. Backing Services

Use other services (like databases or payment processors) as separate components that your app connects to.

## V. Build, Release, Run

Make a clear distinction between preparing your app, releasing it, and running it in production.

## VI. Processes

Design your app so that each part doesn't rely on a specific computer or memory. It's like making LEGO blocks that fit together.

## VII. Port Binding

Let your app be accessible through a network port, and make sure it doesn't store critical information on a single computer.

## VIII. Concurrency

Make your app able to handle more work by adding more copies of the same thing, like hiring more workers for a busy restaurant.

## IX. Disposability

Your app should start quickly and shut down gracefully, like turning off a light switch instead of yanking out the power cord.

## X. Dev/Prod Parity

Ensure that what you use for developing your app is very similar to what you use in production, to avoid surprises.

## XI. Logs

Keep a record of what happens in your app so you can understand and fix issues, like a diary for your software.

## XII. Admin Processes

Run special tasks separately from your app, like doing maintenance work in a workshop instead of on the factory floor.