5 Ways to Improve Your Experience with Next.js 14

Next.js is a popular framework for building React applications. With the release of Next.js 14, there are some new features and improvements that can make your life as a developer easier. In this tutorial, I will share 5 tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Next.js 14.

1. Use the new image component for optimized image loading

One of the most exciting features of Next.js 14 is the new image component. This component allows you to easily optimize images for the web by automatically generating several sizes and formats of an image and serving the appropriate one based on the device’s screen size and resolution.

To use the new image component, simply import it from ‘next/image’ and pass the src and alt props. Next.js will take care of the rest:

import Image from 'next/image';

function MyComponent() {
  return (
    <Image src="/my-image.jpg" alt="My Image" />
  );
}

By using the new image component, you can ensure that your images are optimized for the web and load quickly on all devices.

1. Enable the experimental feature flag for faster incremental static regeneration

Next.js 14 introduces experimental features that can improve performance and developer experience. One such feature is the experimental feature flag for faster incremental static regeneration.

To enable this feature flag, add the following line to your next.config.js file:

module.exports = {
  experimental: {
    faster: true,
  },
};

By enabling the experimental feature flag for faster incremental static regeneration, you can take advantage of performance improvements that reduce build times and improve the developer experience.

1. Use the new built-in middleware feature for custom server logic

Next.js 14 introduces a new built-in middleware feature that allows you to define custom server logic without the need for an external server. This can be useful for implementing custom authentication or API routes.

To use the new built-in middleware feature, create a ‘middleware’ directory in your pages folder and add a JavaScript file with the following structure:

export default function middleware(req, res, next) {
  // Custom server logic here
}

By using the new built-in middleware feature, you can simplify your codebase and add custom server logic without the need for an external server.

1. Take advantage of the new script and link components for enhanced performance

Next.js 14 introduces new script and link components that allow you to defer loading of scripts and stylesheets until they are needed. This can improve performance by reducing the initial load time of your application.

To use the new script and link components, import them from ‘next/script’ and ‘next/link’ and pass the appropriate props:

import Script from 'next/script';
import Link from 'next/link';

function MyComponent() {
  return (
    <>
      <Script src="/my-script.js" />
      <Link href="/my-stylesheet.css" />
    </>
  );
}

By using the new script and link components, you can optimize the loading of scripts and stylesheets in your application for enhanced performance.

1. Leverage the new static site generation capabilities for faster page loading

Next.js 14 includes improved static site generation capabilities that can significantly improve page loading times. By pre-rendering pages at build time, you can serve static HTML files that load quickly and provide a better user experience.

To take advantage of the new static site generation capabilities, enable the ‘static’ option in your next.config.js file:

module.exports = {
  target: 'experimental-serverless-trace',
};

By enabling static site generation in Next.js 14, you can improve the performance of your application and provide a faster and more seamless user experience.

In conclusion, Next.js 14 offers several new features and improvements that can make your life as a developer easier. By using the tips and tricks outlined in this tutorial, you can take advantage of the latest capabilities of Next.js 14 and build high-performance React applications with ease.