# Next Best Practices

Next.js best practices - file conventions, RSC boundaries, data patterns, async APIs...

- Repository: https://github.com/Kiranism/next-shadcn-dashboard-starter (7212 stars)
- Category: Media
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add Kiranism/next-shadcn-dashboard-starter --skill next-best-practices -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add Kiranism/next-shadcn-dashboard-starter --skill next-best-practices -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add Kiranism/next-shadcn-dashboard-starter --skill next-best-practices -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add Kiranism/next-shadcn-dashboard-starter --skill next-best-practices -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Next.js best practices - file conventions, RSC boundaries, data patterns, async APIs, metadata, error handling, route handlers, image/font optimization, bundling

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Next.js Best Practices

Apply these rules when writing or reviewing Next.js code.

## File Conventions

See [file-conventions.md](./file-conventions.md) for:

- Project structure and special files
- Route segments (dynamic, catch-all, groups)
- Parallel and intercepting routes
- Middleware rename in v16 (middleware → proxy)

## RSC Boundaries

Detect invalid React Server Component patterns.

See [rsc-boundaries.md](./rsc-boundaries.md) for:

- Async client component detection (invalid)
- Non-serializable props detection
- Server Action exceptions

## Async Patterns

Next.js 15+ async API changes.

See [async-patterns.md](./async-patterns.md) for:

- Async `params` and `searchParams`
- Async `cookies()` and `headers()`
- Migration codemod

## Runtime Selection

See [runtime-selection.md](./runtime-selection.md) for:

- Default to Node.js runtime
- When Edge runtime is appropriate

## Directives

See [directives.md](./directives.md) for:

- `'use client'`, `'use server'` (React)
- `'use cache'` (Next.js)

## Functions

See [functions.md](./functions.md) for:

- Navigation hooks: `useRouter`, `usePathname`, `useSearchParams`, `useParams`
- Server functions: `cookies`, `headers`, `draftMode`, `after`
- Generate functions: `generateStaticParams`, `generateMetadata`

## Error Handling

See [error-handling.md](./error-handling.md) for:

- `error.tsx`, `global-error.tsx`, `not-found.tsx`
- `redirect`, `permanentRedirect`, `notFound`
- `forbidden`, `unauthorized` (auth errors)
- `unstable_rethrow` for catch blocks

## Data Patterns

See [data-patterns.md](./data-patterns.md) for:

- Server Components vs Server Actions vs Route Handlers
- Avoiding data waterfalls (`Promise.all`, Suspense, preload)
- Client component data fetching

## Route Handlers

See [route-handlers.md](./route-handlers.md) for:

- `route.ts` basics
- GET handler conflicts with `page.tsx`
- Environment behavior (no React DOM)
- When to use vs Server Actions

## Metadata & OG Images

The rest: https://github.com/Kiranism/next-shadcn-dashboard-starter/blob/HEAD/.agents/skills/next-best-practices/SKILL.md