Published: 30 Aug 2025

Getting Started with Next.js 15

Learn the new features of Next.js 15

Getting Started with Next.js 15

Next.js 15 is here, and it brings a fresh wave of improvements for building modern web applications. Whether you’re upgrading from an older version or completely new to the framework, this guide will walk you through what’s new and how to get started.

Why Next.js 15?

Next.js has always been about speed, scalability, and developer experience. Version 15 pushes that further with:

Faster Build Times: Optimized bundling and caching reduce compilation overhead.
Improved App Router: Enhanced support for layouts, loading states, and streaming.
Better React 19 Integration: Full compatibility with React’s upcoming features.
Enhanced Edge Runtime: Deploy faster at the edge with reduced cold starts.

These updates mean less waiting, smoother development, and more efficient apps.

Next.js 14 vs Next.js 15

Here’s a quick comparison of the improvements in version 15 compared to version 14:

Feature	Next.js 14	Next.js 15
Build Performance	Faster than 13, but some bottlenecks	ven faster with smarter caching + bundling
App Router	Stable release with layouts + SSR	Improved with streaming, Suspense, and advanced loading states
React Integration	Full React 18 support	Ready for React 19 features
Edge Runtime	Edge functions supported	Reduced cold starts, faster execution
DX (Dev Experience)	Strong tooling, partial streaming	Better error overlays, smoother HMR

Setting Up a Next.js 15 Project

Step 1: Install Node.js

Make sure you’re running the latest LTS version of Node.js (at least 18.x). You can check your version with:

node -v

Step 2: Create a New App

Use the official Next.js CLI to bootstrap a project:

npx create-next-app
cd my-next15-app

This will set up everything you need, including TypeScript (if you choose it) and ESLint.

Step 3: Start the Dev Server

Run:

npm run dev

Then open `http://localhost:3000` in your browser. You should see the starter page running.

Exploring the App Router

Next.js 15 continues to refine the App Router. Key features include:-

File-based Routing: Drop your files into the `app` directory, and routes are created automatically.
Layouts and Templates: Define shared UI once and reuse it across pages.
Streaming and Suspense: Render parts of the UI as data loads.

Example route structure:

app/ 
  layout.tsx 
  page.tsx 
  dashboard/ 
      page.tsx

Deploying Your App

One of the strengths of Next.js is seamless deployment. With Vercel (the creators of Next.js), you can:

git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
git push origin main

Connect your repo to Vercel, and your app goes live instantly with edge optimizations.

Final Thoughts

Next.js 15 is not just an update—it’s a step forward in how we build web apps. With faster builds, better React support, and improved developer experience, it’s worth jumping in. If you’ve been waiting to try Next.js, now is the time.