Sanity GraphQL API deployment failing with internal server error

Hey! That "internal server error" when deploying your GraphQL API is likely not related to GCP being down. The sanity graphql deploy command is still the correct way to deploy GraphQL endpoints in Sanity (including Studio v3 and v4), and there are several common causes for this error.

First, Check Your Sanity Version

If you're on Studio v3 or v4, GraphQL APIs still require manual deployment using sanity graphql deploy - they're not auto-generated. You need to redeploy whenever your schema changes.

Common Causes & Solutions

1. Schema Compatibility Issues

GraphQL requires stricter schemas than Sanity Studio. The most common issue is anonymous/inline object types that need to be "lifted" to the global scope. For example, if you have an object defined inline like this:

fields: [
  {
    name: 'sponsor',
    type: 'object',  // ❌ Inline object - won't work with GraphQL
    fields: [...]
  }
]

You need to move it to a separate schema file and reference it by name. Check the GraphQL documentation on schema requirements for details.

2. Node.js/Dependency Issues

Try a fresh install:

rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json yarn.lock
npm install
sanity graphql deploy

Make sure you're on Node 20+ for Studio v4 compatibility.

3. Workspace Configuration

If you have multiple workspaces, ensure your sanity.cli.ts configuration is correct:

export default defineCliConfig({
  graphql: [
    {
      workspace: 'your-workspace-id',
      id: 'your-api-id'
    }
  ]
})

4. Check for Breaking Changes

The CLI validates your schema changes. Use --dry-run to see what's failing without deploying:

sanity graphql deploy --dry-run

Is GCP Actually Down?

While unlikely, you can verify at the Google Cloud status dashboard. Sanity infrastructure is robust, and full GCP outages are extremely rare.

Still Getting Errors?

The error logs should provide more specific details. If you can share the full error message or stack trace, the community can provide more targeted help!