Next.js Installation and Setup

1. Introduction

Next.js is a powerful React framework that enables developers to build server-rendered applications with ease. This lesson covers the installation and setup process for Next.js, allowing you to get started with building your applications.

2. Prerequisites

Before installing Next.js, ensure that you have the following:

Node.js (version 12.22.0 or later)
npm or yarn as a package manager
A code editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code)

3. Installation

To install Next.js, follow these steps:

Open your terminal.
Navigate to the directory where you want to create your project.
Run the following command to create a new Next.js app:

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

Replace my-next-app with your desired project name.

Important Note

Ensure you have Node.js installed. You can check your version by running node -v in your terminal.

4. Setup

After the installation is complete, navigate into your project directory:

cd my-next-app

Next, start the development server:

npm run dev

Your Next.js application is now running! Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser to view your new app.

Project Structure

Your new Next.js app has the following structure:

pages/ - Contains the pages of your application.
public/ - Static assets like images.
styles/ - CSS styles for your application.

5. FAQ

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a React framework that allows for server-side rendering and generating static websites for React-based web applications.

How do I update Next.js?

You can update Next.js using npm or yarn. Run npm install next@latest or yarn add next@latest.

Can I use CSS in Next.js?

Yes, Next.js supports CSS modules and global styles. You can import CSS files directly in your components.