Getting Started with Next.js App Router
By Alex Chen · · 1 min read
The App Router in Next.js represents a paradigm shift in how we build React applications. With its file-based routing system and React Server Components support, it offers unprecedented flexibility and performance.
In this post, we'll explore the key concepts that make the App Router special:
Server Components by Default Unlike traditional React applications where everything runs on the client, Next.js App Router treats components as server components by default. This means your components render on the server, sending minimal JavaScript to the client.
Nested Layouts One of the most powerful features is the ability to create nested layouts. Each route segment can define its own layout that wraps its children, making it easy to create consistent UI patterns.
Loading and Error States The App Router provides built-in support for loading and error states through special files like loading.tsx and error.tsx.