Getting Started with Next.js 15

Next.js 15 brings exciting new features that make building modern web applications easier and more efficient than ever. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the key features and learn how to build a production-ready application.

What's New in Next.js 15

Next.js 15 introduces several groundbreaking features:

• Improved App Router with better performance and developer experience
• Enhanced Server Components for optimal rendering strategies
• Turbopack for lightning-fast development builds
• Better TypeScript Support with improved type inference

Setting Up Your Project

Let's start by creating a new Next.js project:

npx create-next-app@latest my-app --typescript --tailwind --eslint
cd my-app
npm run dev

This command creates a new Next.js project with TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and ESLint preconfigured.

Project Structure

A typical Next.js 15 project structure looks like this:

my-app/
├── src/
│   ├── app/
│   │   ├── globals.css
│   │   ├── layout.tsx
│   │   └── page.tsx
│   └── components/
├── public/
├── package.json
└── next.config.js

Building Your First Component

Let's create a simple React component:

export default function WelcomeCard({ title, description }: {
  title: string;
  description: string;
}) {
  return (
    <div className="bg-white shadow-lg rounded-lg p-6 m-4">
      <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold text-gray-800 mb-2">{title}</h2>
      <p className="text-gray-600">{description}</p>
    </div>
  );
}

Server Components vs Client Components

One of the most powerful features in Next.js 15 is the distinction between Server and Client Components:

Server Components (Default)

• Render on the server
• No JavaScript bundle sent to client
• Perfect for static content and data fetching

Client Components

• Render on the client
• Use the "use client" directive
• Needed for interactivity and browser APIs

Best Practices

1. Use Server Components by default - only use Client Components when needed
2. Optimize images with the built-in next/image component
3. Implement proper SEO with metadata API
4. Use TypeScript for better developer experience and fewer bugs

Conclusion

Next.js 15 represents a major step forward in React framework evolution. With its powerful features and excellent developer experience, it's the perfect choice for building modern web applications.

Ready to dive deeper? Check out the official Next.js documentation for more advanced topics and examples.