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Getting Started with Next.js 14

5 min read
Tom Wilkins

Learn the fundamentals of Next.js 14 and the App Router, including routing, server components, and data fetching.

Next.js 14 introduces several exciting features that make building React applications even more powerful. In this post, we'll explore the key concepts you need to know.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a React framework that provides a great developer experience with features like:

  • Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Improve performance and SEO
  • Static Site Generation (SSG): Pre-render pages at build time
  • API Routes: Build backend functionality alongside your frontend
  • File-based Routing: Organise your routes with the file system

The App Router

Next.js 14 uses the App Router by default, which provides:

  • Server Components: Components that render on the server by default
  • Layouts: Shared UI that persists across routes
  • Loading States: Built-in support for loading UI
  • Error Handling: Error boundaries for better UX

Getting Started

To create a new Next.js project, run:

bash
npx create-next-app@latest my-app

This will set up a new Next.js project with all the necessary dependencies.

Conclusion

Next.js 14 is a powerful framework that simplifies building React applications. The App Router provides a modern, intuitive way to structure your application.