Next.js Configuration

Introduction

Next.js is a powerful React framework that allows for server-side rendering, static site generation, and more. Proper configuration is essential to maximize its features and optimize performance.

Key Concepts

• **Pages**: Every file in the `pages` directory becomes a route in your application.
• **Static Generation vs Server-side Rendering**: Choose between pre-rendering pages at build time or on each request.
• **API Routes**: Create backend functionality directly in your Next.js application.

Configuration Files

The main configuration file in Next.js is next.config.js. Here’s how you can set it up:

// next.config.js
module.exports = {
    reactStrictMode: true,
    env: {
        CUSTOM_KEY: 'my_value',
    },
    images: {
        domains: ['example.com'],
    },
}
                

This file allows you to:

• Enable or disable React's strict mode.
• Set environment variables accessible in your code.
• Configure external image domains.

Advanced Configuration

For more advanced setups, you can customize Webpack and modify headers:

// next.config.js
const withTM = require('next-transpile-modules')(['some-module']);

module.exports = withTM({
    webpack: (config) => {
        config.module.rules.push({
            test: /\.svg$/,
            use: ['@svgr/webpack'],
        });
        return config;
    },
});
                

This example shows how to:

• Transpile specific modules using next-transpile-modules.
• Add custom Webpack rules (like SVG handling).

Best Practices

• Use environment variables for sensitive information.
• Regularly check performance using tools like Lighthouse.
• Optimize images and assets for faster load times.

FAQ