nextjs-development

App Router uses file-based routing where files in the app directory automatically become routes. Create folders for path segments and add page.js files to define what renders at each route. Server components are the default, enabling direct database access and keeping secrets server-side.

Server Components run only on the server, access databases directly, and keep API keys secure. Client Components run in the browser, handle interactivity, and use hooks. Use Server Components by default for data fetching and Client Components only where you need user interaction or browser APIs.

Static Site Generation (SSG) pre-builds pages at build time for fast performance. Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR) rebuilds pages in the background after a set interval. Use ISR for content that updates occasionally; it combines static performance with fresh data without full server rendering on each request.

Yes, create route.js files in the app directory to define API endpoints. Route handlers accept GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and other HTTP methods. They replace the pages/api directory pattern and integrate seamlessly with Server Components for full-stack applications.

Use the Next.js Image component for automatic optimization—it resizes, formats, and lazy-loads images. For deployment, the platform handles SSR, SSG, ISR, and edge functions. Vercel and other providers auto-detect your config and deploy without extra setup.

Middleware runs before requests are processed, letting you modify headers, redirect routes, or check authentication. Define middleware.js at the project root to run on every request. Use it to protect routes, add security headers, or handle locale-based redirects before reaching your pages.