Next.js 15 has arrived, and it brings a wave of refinements designed to make your development experience smoother and your applications faster. While not a massive overhaul, this release focuses on core improvements and introduces some exciting experimental features. Let's dive into what's new!

Revamped Caching Defaults

Next.js 15 takes a fresh look at caching behavior. Previously, requests, GET route handlers, and client-side navigation were cached by default. This approach has been reconsidered, with these elements now uncached by default. This offers greater control and flexibility, particularly for projects utilizing Partial Prerendering (PPR) or third-party libraries relying on fetch. Opting into caching remains available for scenarios where it proves beneficial.

Partial Prerendering on the Rise

Partial Prerendering (PPR), an experimental feature in Next.js 14, gains further traction in Next.js 15. A new layout and page configuration option allows for a more incremental adoption process. This means you can incorporate PPR into your projects piece by piece, enabling a smoother transition and better control over the prerendering process.

Experimental: next/after

Next.js 15 introduces next/after, an experimental API that lets you execute code after a response has finished streaming. This opens doors for interesting possibilities, such as analytics tracking or server-side logging that can occur after the initial response has been sent.

Streamlined Development with create-next-app

The create-next-app command receives a design refresh in Next.js 15. Additionally, a new flag enables Turbopack in local development. Turbopack is a next-generation bundler known for its blazing-fast build speeds, making the development process even more efficient.

Bundling External Packages

Next.js 15 offers new configuration options for the App and Pages Router, allowing you to control how external packages are bundled. This provides more granular control over your application's size and performance.

React 19 and Beyond

Next.js 15 integrates seamlessly with React 19, offering support for its features like streaming, transitions, and suspense. This paves the way for building even more dynamic and performant React applications.

Conclusion

Next.js 15 is a testament to the framework's commitment to continuous improvement. With refined caching defaults, an enhanced Partial Prerendering experience, and exciting experimental features like next/after, Next.js 15 empowers developers to create blazing-fast and user-centric web applications. Stay tuned for further developments as Next.js continues to evolve!

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