Next.js Best Practices

Principles for Next.js App Router development.

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1. Server vs Client Components

Decision Tree

Does it need...?
│
├── useState, useEffect, event handlers
│   └── Client Component ('use client')
│
├── Direct data fetching, no interactivity
│   └── Server Component (default)
│
└── Both? 
    └── Split: Server parent + Client child

By Default

Type	Use
Server	Data fetching, layout, static content
Client	Forms, buttons, interactive UI

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2. Data Fetching Patterns

Fetch Strategy

Pattern	Use
Default	Static (cached at build)
Revalidate	ISR (time-based refresh)
No-store	Dynamic (every request)

Data Flow

Source	Pattern
Database	Server Component fetch
API	fetch with caching
User input	Client state + server action

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3. Routing Principles

File Conventions

File	Purpose
page.tsx	Route UI
layout.tsx	Shared layout
loading.tsx	Loading state
error.tsx	Error boundary
not-found.tsx	404 page

Route Organization

Pattern	Use
Route groups (name)	Organize without URL
Parallel routes @slot	Multiple same-level pages
Intercepting (.)	Modal overlays

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4. API Routes

Route Handlers

Method	Use
GET	Read data
POST	Create data
PUT/PATCH	Update data
DELETE	Remove data

Best Practices

• Validate input with Zod
• Return proper status codes
• Handle errors gracefully
• Use Edge runtime when possible

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5. Performance Principles

Image Optimization

• Use next/image component
• Set priority for above-fold
• Provide blur placeholder
• Use responsive sizes

Bundle Optimization

• Dynamic imports for heavy components
• Route-based code splitting (automatic)
• Analyze with bundle analyzer

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6. Metadata

Static vs Dynamic

Type	Use
Static export	Fixed metadata
generateMetadata	Dynamic per-route

Essential Tags

• title (50-60 chars)
• description (150-160 chars)
• Open Graph images
• Canonical URL

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7. Caching Strategy

Cache Layers

Layer	Control
Request	fetch options
Data	revalidate/tags
Full route	route config

Revalidation

Method	Use
Time-based	revalidate: 60
On-demand	revalidatePath/Tag
No cache	no-store

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8. Server Actions

Use Cases

• Form submissions
• Data mutations
• Revalidation triggers

Best Practices

• Mark with 'use server'
• Validate all inputs
• Return typed responses
• Handle errors

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9. Anti-Patterns

❌ Don't	✅ Do
'use client' everywhere	Server by default
Fetch in client components	Fetch in server
Skip loading states	Use loading.tsx
Ignore error boundaries	Use error.tsx
Large client bundles	Dynamic imports

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10. Project Structure

app/
├── (marketing)/     # Route group
│   └── page.tsx
├── (dashboard)/
│   ├── layout.tsx   # Dashboard layout
│   └── page.tsx
├── api/
│   └── [resource]/
│       └── route.ts
└── components/
    └── ui/

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Remember: Server Components are the default for a reason. Start there, add client only when needed.