How do I master routing, layouts, and navigation?

Use App Router (default). # Create Pages In `app/`, add `dashboard/page.tsx`: ```tsx export default function Dashboard() { return Dashboard ; } ``` # Nested Layout `app/dashboard/layout.tsx`: ```tsx export default function DashboardLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) { return {children} ; } ``` # Navigation Install none needed. Use `Link`: ```tsx import Link from 'next/link'; Go to Dashboard ``` Test dynamic routes: `app/blog/[slug]/page.tsx`.

How do I style, optimize fonts and images?

Tailwind is pre-installed. # Tailwind `globals.css` has @tailwind directives. Use classes: ` ` # Fonts Install `@next/font` not needed, use `next/font`: ```tsx import { Inter } from 'next/font/google'; const inter = Inter({ subsets: ['latin'] }); ``` # Images ```tsx import Image from 'next/image'; ``` Place images in `public/`.

How do I fetch data and handle mutations?

# Fetch in Server Components (default) `app/dashboard/page.tsx`: ```tsx async function getData() { const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/invoices'); return res.json(); } export default async function Page() { const data = await getData(); return {data.map((i: any) => {i.name} )} ; } ``` # Mutations with Server Actions ```tsx 'use server'; async function createInvoice(formData: FormData) { 'use server'; // mutate } ``` Explore streaming with `loading.tsx`.

How do I add auth, error handling, and deploy?

# Auth with NextAuth `npm i next-auth` Follow [official guide](https://nextjs.org/learn/dashboard-app/adding-authentication). # Errors Add `app/error.tsx`, `not-found.tsx`. # Deploy to Vercel git push origin main `npx vercel --prod` Build project from official Learn dashboard app.

Master Next.js: Build Full-Stack Apps in 5 Steps

Q: How do I set up environment and create first app?

# Prerequisites - Install Node.js 20.9+ from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org) - Install VS Code # Create App Run: ```bash npx create-next-app@latest my-next-app --typescript --tailwind --eslint --app --src-dir --import-alias="@/*" --yes cd my-next-app npm run dev ``` Open http://localhost:3000. Explore `app/` directory: `layout.tsx`, `page.tsx`. # Next Steps Commit to Git: `git init`, `git add .`, `git commit -m "Initial Next.js app"`.

🧰

Instant Toolkit

2 artifacts

📋
Step-by-Step Guide

1

Prerequisites

Install Node.js 20.9+ from nodejs.org
Install VS Code

Create App

Run:

npx create-next-app@latest my-next-app --typescript --tailwind --eslint --app --src-dir --import-alias="@/*" --yes
cd my-next-app
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:3000. Explore app/ directory: layout.tsx, page.tsx.

Next Steps

Commit to Git: git init, git add ., git commit -m "Initial Next.js app".

Why this step matters:

-Establishes a solid development workflow for all projects
-Enables hands-on experimentation from minute one

30-60 minutes

Node.js 20.9+, VS Code, Terminal, Git

$0

Definition of Done

•Local dev server runs at localhost:3000 without errors
•Understand app/, public/, and key config files
•Initial commit pushed to GitHub

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using Node.js version below 20.9

→Install latest LTS with nvm: nvm install --lts

❌ Port 3000 already in use

→Kill process with lsof -ti:3000 | xargs kill -9 or use npm run dev -- -p 3001

❌ Missing TypeScript setup

→Always include --typescript flag in create-next-app

2

Following along, or just reading? 👀

Spin up a personalized “learn Next.js” plan you can save, check off, and return to anytime — unlimited on the free trial.

Start free trial →

3

4

5

🎥
Suggested Videos

NextJS 15 Full Course 2025 | Become a NextJS Pro

Next.js Full Course for Beginners | Nextjs 13 Tutorial

Next js Tutorial for Beginners | Nextjs 13 (App Router)

📚
Learning Resources

📖 Online Courses

Learn Next.js

beginner

Official Next.js

Next JS: The Complete Developer's Guide

beginner

Paid

Udemy

Learn Next.js

beginner

Coursera

📖 Recommended Books

Real-World Next.js

intermediate

by Alexandru Vladutu

The Next.js Handbook

beginner

by Flavio Copes

🌐 Helpful Websites

Next.js Documentation

documentation

Comprehensive reference for all features

Next.js Learn

tutorial

Interactive course building a dashboard app

Next.js GitHub

repository

Source code, examples, and issues

🛠️ Useful Tools

Vercel

Hosting

One-click deploys for Next.js apps

create-next-app

CLI

Official CLI to bootstrap projects

Master Next.js: Build Full-Stack Apps in 5 Steps