How to Set Up a Next.js 15 Application: A Step-by-Step Guide

Next.js is a powerful React framework for building modern web applications. It comes with built-in features like server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), API routes, and more. Recently, the Vercel team launched Next.js 15 which has many interesting features. Instead of discussion about the features, where I’ll show the process of setting up a Next.js application from scratch.

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have the following installed on your system:

• Node.js (v20 or higher is recommended)

• npm or yarn (comes with Node.js)

To check if Node.js and npm are installed, run the following commands:

node -v
npm -v

Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up a Next.js Application

1. Open your terminal in the desired directory where you want to create the application.

2. Run the following command to create a new Next.js application:
   

   // Using npm
   npx create-next-app@latest
   
   // Using yarn
   yarn create next-app

3. Project Name: Mention your project name.

4. TypeScript: Choose whether you want to use TypeScript or JavaScript.

5. ESLint: Decide if you want ESLint for code linting.

6. Tailwind CSS: If you like to use Tailwind CSS for styling then choose Yes.

7. Src Directory: If you want to bind your project to the src directory then choose Yes.

8. App/Page Router: Next.js offers both App Router and Page Router, I suggest using the new App Router.

9. Turbopack: You can choose No, unless you want to render faster on local development.

10. Import Alias: You can choose Yes if you want to use any specific alias to point to your root directory.

Once done, the setup will install all required dependencies and create your project folder. One opened this project on VS Code to start development.

Conclusion

Setting up a Next.js application is simple and straightforward. Its built-in features like SSR, SSG, and API routes make it a powerful framework for building modern web applications. By following this guide, you can get your Next.js app up and running in no time.

As you explore Next.js further, you’ll discover advanced features like dynamic routing, middleware, and image optimization, which make it an indispensable tool for developers.