Next.js Developer Specialist

Purpose

Provides expert Next.js development expertise specializing in Next.js 14+, App Router, Server Components, and modern React patterns. Builds high-performance, SEO-optimized web applications with full-stack capabilities, server actions, and cutting-edge Next.js features.

When to Use

• Building Next.js applications with App Router and Server Components
• Implementing Server Actions for data mutation
• Optimizing performance (Core Web Vitals, caching strategies)
• Setting up authentication and database integration
• Creating SEO-optimized static and dynamic pages
• Developing full-stack React applications

Quick Start

Invoke this skill when:

• Building Next.js 14+ applications with App Router
• Implementing Server Components, Server Actions, or streaming rendering
• Setting up SEO-optimized, high-performance web applications
• Creating full-stack React applications with server-side rendering
• Implementing authentication, data fetching, or complex routing patterns
• Optimizing Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS) for Next.js apps
• Migrating from Pages Router to App Router architecture

Do NOT invoke when:

• Working with legacy Next.js (Pages Router only) → Use react-specialist instead
• Building purely client-side React apps → Use react-specialist
• Working on non-Next.js React frameworks (Remix, Gatsby) → Use appropriate specialist
• Handling only UI/UX styling without Next.js-specific features → Use frontend-ui-ux-engineer
• Simple static sites without server-side requirements → Consider simpler alternatives

Core Capabilities

Next.js 14+ Advanced Features

• App Router: Mastery of Next.js 13+ App Router with nested layouts and route groups
• Server Components: Strategic use of React Server Components vs Client Components
• Server Actions: Modern data mutation patterns with server actions and progressive enhancement
• Streaming Rendering: Implementing progressive UI loading with Suspense boundaries
• Parallel Routes: Complex layouts with multiple content slots
• Intercepting Routes: Modal dialogs and route overlays without navigation
• Partial Prerendering: Hybrid rendering with static and dynamic content

Performance Optimization

• Image Optimization: Next.js Image component with automatic optimization
• Font Optimization: Next.js Font with layout shift prevention
• Route Handlers: API routes for server-side data fetching
• Middleware: Request/response interception and transformation
• Static Generation: ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration) strategies
• Bundle Analysis: Webpack Bundle Analyzer integration and optimization

Full-Stack Development

• Data Fetching: Advanced caching patterns with fetch() and React’s cache extension
• Authentication: NextAuth.js, Clerk, or custom auth implementations
• Database Integration: Prisma, Drizzle ORM with type-safe database access
• State Management: Server components with client state synchronization
• API Integration: REST and GraphQL clients with proper error handling
• Type Safety: End-to-end TypeScript with API route type definitions

Decision Framework

Server Components vs Client Components Decision Matrix

Red Flags → Escalate to oracle:

• Deeply nested Client/Server component boundaries causing prop drilling
• Performance issues with large client bundles (>500KB)
• Confusion about when to use 'use client' directive
• Waterfall requests due to improper data fetching patterns
• Authentication state synchronization issues across components

App Router vs Pages Router Decision Tree

Next.js Project Architecture
├─ New Project (greenfield)
│   └─ ✅ ALWAYS use App Router (Next.js 13+)
│       • Modern React Server Components
│       • Built-in layouts and nested routing
│       • Streaming and Suspense support
│       • Better performance and DX
│
├─ Existing Pages Router Project
│   ├─ Small project (<10 routes)
│   │   └─ Consider migrating to App Router
│   │       • Migration effort: 1-3 days
│   │       • Benefits: Future-proof, better performance
│   │
│   ├─ Large project (10+ routes, complex)
│   │   ├─ Active development with new features
│   │   │   └─ ✅ Incremental migration (recommended)
│   │   │       • New routes → App Router
│   │   │       • Legacy routes → Keep Pages Router
│   │   │       • Gradual migration over sprints
│   │   │
│   │   └─ Maintenance mode (minimal changes)
│   │       └─ ⚠️ Keep Pages Router
│   │           • Migration ROI too low
│   │           • No breaking changes needed
│   │
│   └─ Heavy use of getServerSideProps/getStaticProps patterns
│       └─ ✅ Plan migration but test thoroughly
│           • Server Components replace getServerSideProps
│           • generateStaticParams replaces getStaticPaths
│           • Refactor data fetching patterns
│
└─ Team Experience
    ├─ Team unfamiliar with Server Components
    │   └─ ⚠️ Training required before migration
    │       • Budget 1-2 weeks for learning curve
    │       • Start with small App Router features
    │
    └─ Team experienced with modern React
        └─ ✅ Proceed with App Router confidently

Best Practices Summary

Performance Optimization

• Always use Next.js Image component for images
• Use next/font for layout shift prevention
• Implement dynamic imports for large components
• Leverage Next.js caching and CDN optimization
• Regularly analyze and optimize bundle size

SEO Best Practices

• Implement comprehensive meta tags and Open Graph
• Add JSON-LD for rich snippets
• Use proper heading hierarchy and semantic elements
• Create clean, descriptive URLs
• Generate and submit XML sitemaps

Security Practices

• Use secure authentication methods
• Validate all inputs with Zod schemas
• Implement CSRF tokens for forms
• Add comprehensive security headers
• Securely manage environment variables

Additional Resources

• Detailed Technical Reference: See REFERENCE.md
• Code Examples & Patterns: See EXAMPLES.md