Next.js 15 introduces significant improvements to its App Router and server-side rendering capabilities, making it easier than ever to build performant web applications. The App Router, which became stable in Next.js 13, has evolved to provide an even more intuitive and powerful development experience.
Key Features
Enhanced Server Components
By default, all components in the App Router are Server Components, allowing you to write server-centric React applications that reduce client-side JavaScript and improve performance. You can still use Client Components when needed by adding the ‘use client’ directive.
Parallel Routes and Intercepting Routes
Next.js 15 makes it easier to handle complex routing scenarios with parallel routes (@folder) and intercepting routes ((..)folder). This enables sophisticated UX patterns like modals and split views while maintaining clean code organization.
Simplified Data Fetching
Server Components in Next.js 15 can directly fetch data without extra APIs or client-side state management:
async function Page() {
const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
const json = await data.json();
return <main>{/* Render your data */}</main>;
}
Streaming and Suspense
The App Router supports streaming and Suspense out of the box, allowing you to progressively render and stream UI components while loading data in parallel.
Getting Started
To create a new Next.js 15 project with the App Router:
npx create-next-app@latest my-app
cd my-app
npm run dev
The App Router provides a more intuitive mental model for building web applications while leveraging React’s latest features for optimal performance and developer experience.