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Full-Stack Web2025-02-122 Min Read1,783 views

How to create NextJS App and run locally!

To build a Next.js website, you need to follow a few prerequisites and installation steps. Here's a guide to get you started and run it locally.

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How to create NextJS App and run locally!
How to create NextJS App and run locally! — Legion Mind Architecture Dispatch

Key Architecture Takeaways

  • Install Node.js LTS as the foundational runtime for Next.js builds.
  • Bootstrap modern applications with create-next-app flags for TypeScript and Tailwind.
  • Leverage Turbopack for sub-second hot module reloading during development.
  • Always test production builds with npm run build prior to deployment.
How to create NextJS App and run locally!
Figure 1: How to create NextJS App and run locally!

To build a Next.js website, you need to follow a few prerequisites and installation steps. Here's a guide to get you started and run it locally.

Prerequisites

Node.js:

  • Next.js is built on top of Node.js, so you need to have it installed.
  • You can download and install the latest version of Node.js from here. It's recommended to install the LTS version.

npm or yarn:

  • npm comes with Node.js, so once you install Node.js, npm is already installed.
  • Alternatively, you can use Yarn as the package manager. You can install Yarn by running:
BASH
npm install --global yarn
```text

**Text Editor/IDE**:
- You’ll need a code editor to work on your project, such as **Visual Studio Code** or any other text editor.

## Installation Process for Next.js Project

# 1. Create a New Next.js App

To start a new Next.js project, you can use **Create Next App**, which is a starter template.

1. Open your terminal/command prompt.
2. Run the following command to create a new Next.js app:
```bash
npx create-next-app@latest my-site
```text
3. This will automatically create a new directory called `my-site` and set up a basic Next.js project.
4. If you prefer using **Yarn**, you can run: 
```bash
yarn create next-app my-site
```text

# 2. Navigate to Your Project Directory

After the setup process is complete, navigate into your newly created project directory:
```bash
cd my-site
```text

# 3. Install Dependencies

If dependencies haven't been installed automatically during project creation, run the following command to install them:
```bash
npm install
```text
Or, if you're using Yarn:
```bash
yarn install
```text

# 4. Running the Project Locally

To start the Next.js development server locally, run the following command:
```bash
npm run dev
```text
This will start the development server at `http://localhost:3000`. You can open this URL in your browser to view your Next.js app running locally.

# Next Steps

**Editing the Site**:
- Open the project in your code editor and start editing the files in the `pages` directory (or `app` directory) to customize your site.
- The default `pages/index.js` (or `app/page.tsx`) file is the homepage of your app. When you edit this file, your browser will automatically reload to reflect the changes.

## Additional Commands

**Build the app for production**:
```bash
npm run build
```text

That's it! You now have a Next.js website running locally on your machine. Feel free to explore more features of Next.js as you develop your website. 

Check what a class in JavaScript is [HERE](/blog/what-is-class-in-javascript-how-to-define-and-use-it)
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