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Next.js 14

Getting Started with Next.js 14

•5 min read

Introduction

Next.js 14 represents a significant milestone in modern web development, introducing powerful features that make building production-ready applications easier and faster than ever. This guide will walk you through the essential features and help you get started with Next.js 14.

Whether you're migrating from an older version or starting fresh, Next.js 14 offers improved performance, better developer experience, and new capabilities that will transform how you build web applications.

What's New in Next.js 14?

1. Turbopack (Stable)

Next.js 14 marks Turbopack as stable for local development, offering up to 53% faster local server startup and 94% faster code updates with Fast Refresh. This Rust-powered bundler significantly improves the development experience.

2. Server Actions (Stable)

Server Actions are now stable, allowing you to write server-side mutations directly in your React components. This eliminates the need for separate API routes for simple data mutations.

3. Partial Prerendering (Preview)

A groundbreaking feature that combines static and dynamic rendering on the same page. Components can be rendered statically at build time while keeping other parts dynamic.

Getting Started

Create a New Project

npx create-next-app@latest my-app

The setup wizard will guide you through selecting TypeScript, ESLint, Tailwind CSS, and the App Router.

Project Structure

Next.js 14 uses the App Router by default, with a file-based routing system in the app directory. Each folder represents a route, and special files like page.tsx define the UI for that route.

Key Concepts

Server and Client Components

By default, all components in the App Router are Server Components. Use the 'use client' directive at the top of a file to create Client Components when you need interactivity or browser APIs.

Data Fetching

Next.js 14 simplifies data fetching with async/await in Server Components. You can fetch data directly in your components without useEffect or separate API routes.

Layouts and Templates

Create shared UI with layout.tsx files that wrap multiple pages. Layouts preserve state and don't re-render on navigation.

Best Practices

  • ✓Use Server Components by default for better performance
  • ✓Implement proper error boundaries with error.tsx files
  • ✓Use loading.tsx for instant loading states
  • ✓Leverage Route Handlers for API endpoints
  • ✓Optimize images with the built-in Image component

Conclusion

Next.js 14 brings significant improvements to performance, developer experience, and capabilities. With Turbopack, Server Actions, and Partial Prerendering, building modern web applications has never been more efficient. Start your Next.js 14 journey today and experience the future of web development.