STSS↗︎-72.2986%
MIST↗︎-60.8889%
WOLF↗︎-52.0446%
LGMK↗︎-50.1961%
XTIA↗︎-50.0%
ICON↗︎-48.0%
LKCO↗︎-46.3576%
DRCT↗︎-45.1278%
SBEV↗︎-45.0%
CCGWW↗︎-42.9769%
MSSAR↗︎-41.9795%
COOTW↗︎-40.8571%
COEPW↗︎-39.3939%
RCT↗︎-38.2051%
CYCUW↗︎-37.5%
AGMH↗︎-36.6091%
MOBBW↗︎-33.8636%
ECX↗︎-33.6283%
TDTH↗︎-33.5412%
FGIWW↗︎-33.3778%
STSS↘︎-72.2986%
MIST↘︎-60.8889%
WOLF↘︎-52.0446%
LGMK↘︎-50.1961%
XTIA↘︎-50.0%
ICON↘︎-48.0%
LKCO↘︎-46.3576%
DRCT↘︎-45.1278%
SBEV↘︎-45.0%
CCGWW↘︎-42.9769%
MSSAR↘︎-41.9795%
COOTW↘︎-40.8571%
COEPW↘︎-39.3939%
RCT↘︎-38.2051%
CYCUW↘︎-37.5%
AGMH↘︎-36.6091%
MOBBW↘︎-33.8636%
ECX↘︎-33.6283%
TDTH↘︎-33.5412%
FGIWW↘︎-33.3778%

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

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

This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to set up a Next.js project from scratch. It covers everything from installing Node.js and creating a new Next.js application to configuring essential settings and running your development server. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will help you navigate the initial setup process smoothly, allowing you to focus on building your application without any hassle.

Published: March 31, 2025 at 12:19 PM UTC

Introduction
In this article, we will walk you through the process of setting up a Next.js project from scratch. Next.js is a powerful React framework that enables developers to build server-rendered applications with ease. This guide is meticulous and suitable for both beginners and seasoned developers.
Prerequisites
Before you start, ensure that you have Node.js installed on your machine. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that allows you to run JavaScript server-side and is essential for Next.js. If you do not have Node.js installed, you can download and install it from the official Node.js website.
```
https://nodejs.org/en/
```
Step 1: Install Node.js
Follow the installation instructions provided on the Node.js website. After the installation, you can verify it by opening your terminal and running the command 'node -v' to check the installed version of Node.js.
```
node -v
```
Step 2: Create a New Next.js Application
Once Node.js is installed, you can create a new Next.js application using the command line. Ensure you are in the directory where you want to create the project, then run the following command. This command uses 'npx', which comes with Node.js to execute the create-next-app package.
```
npx create-next-app@latest my-next-app
```
Step 3: Navigate to Your Project Directory
After the Next.js application is created, navigate into your project folder to start working on your app. Change into the directory of your newly created app by using the following command.
```
cd my-next-app
```
Step 4: Run Your Development Server
Now that you are inside your Next.js application directory, you can start the development server. This command will start your application, and you can view it in your browser by going to 'http://localhost:3000'.
```
npm run dev
```
Step 5: Edit the Default Page
You can now start customizing your application. Open the 'pages/index.js' file in your preferred code editor. This is the initial file that renders your homepage. Modify it to fit your requirements, such as adding text or components.
```
// Example edit in pages/index.js
export default function Home() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome to My Next.js App!</h1>
    </div>
  )
}
```
Step 6: Adding Essential Settings
Depending on your project's requirements, you might want to configure some settings such as global CSS files or environment variables. You can add global styles in 'styles/globals.css'. For environment variables, create a '.env.local' file in the root of your project to define your variables securely.
```
// Example entry in .env.local
NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL='https://api.example.com'
```
Conclusion
You have now successfully set up a Next.js project from scratch! With this setup, you can start developing your application with server-side rendering capabilities out of the box. The Next.js framework provides you with powerful features as you continue to develop and scale your application.