Template-NEXT: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Started

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore Template-NEXT, a robust Next.js template designed to jumpstart your web development projects. Created by Thilina Rathnayaka (A.K.A Edward Hyde), this template provides a solid foundation for building modern, efficient web applications using Next.js, TypeScript, TailwindCSS, and more.

What is Template-NEXT?

Template-NEXT is a carefully crafted Next.js template that combines essential dependencies and a modern foundation for building web applications. It's designed to save you time and effort in setting up your project, allowing you to focus on building your application's unique features.

Key Features

1. Next.js 14 Integration

Template-NEXT is built on Next.js 14, providing you with the latest features and optimizations from the Next.js ecosystem. This ensures your project starts with a solid, performant base.

2. TypeScript Support

With built-in TypeScript support, Template-NEXT enables you to write type-safe code, catching errors early and improving overall code quality.

3. TailwindCSS Integration

The template comes pre-configured with TailwindCSS, a utility-first CSS framework that allows for rapid UI development with highly customizable designs.

4. Shadcn/ui Components

Template-NEXT includes Shadcn/ui, a collection of reusable and customizable UI components. These components are designed to work seamlessly with TailwindCSS, providing a consistent look and feel across your application.

5. Additional Utility Libraries

Class Variance Authority (CVA): For managing class names with a consistent API.
Lucide React: A set of customizable, scalable icons to enhance your UI.
clsx: A tiny utility for constructing className strings conditionally.
tailwind-merge: For efficiently merging Tailwind CSS classes in JS without style conflicts.

6. Optimized Directory Structure

Template-NEXT uses the /src/app directory structure, aligning with Next.js best practices for better organization and scalability.

7. Pre-configured Development Tools

ESLint: For identifying and reporting on patterns in JavaScript/TypeScript.
Prettier: To ensure consistent code formatting across your project.

Getting Started with Template-NEXT

Template-NEXT now offers a flexible installation process to suit different project setups. Follow these steps to create a new project:

Open your terminal.
Run the following command:
Terminal
```
npx @edward-hyde/template-next
```
You'll be presented with two options:
- Create a new project in a new directory
- Clone the template into the current directory
If you choose to create a new project:
- You'll be prompted to enter a name for your project. Press Enter to use the default name 'my-next-app' or type your preferred project name.
- Once the project is generated, navigate to the newly created directory:
  Terminal
```
cd YOUR-PROJECT-NAME
```
If you choose to clone into the current directory:
- The template will be set up in your current location.
- No need to change directories.

Start the development server:

npm

npm run dev
# or
yarn dev
# or
pnpm dev
# or
bun dev

Open your browser and visit http://localhost:3000 to see your new Next.js project in action.

Additional CLI Features

Current Directory Cloning

You can clone the template directly into your current working directory. This is useful when you want to add Template-NEXT to an existing project structure.

To use this feature, navigate to your desired directory and run:

npm

npx @edward-hyde/template-next .

Improved User Experience

The CLI now provides clearer prompts and instructions throughout the setup process, making it easier to understand your options and the results of your choices.
After project creation, you'll receive tailored instructions based on your chosen setup method, ensuring you have the correct next steps to start your development.

Exploring the Template Structure

After installation, your project will have the following structure:

file tree

your-project-name/
├── src/
│   ├── app/
│   │   ├── globals.css
│   │   ├── layout.tsx
│   │   └── page.tsx
│   ├── components/
│   │   └── ui/
│   │       └── button.tsx
│   └── lib/
│       └── utils.ts
├── public/
├── .eslintrc.json
├── .gitignore
├── next.config.mjs
├── package.json
├── postcss.config.js
├── README.md
├── tailwind.config.ts
└── tsconfig.json

This structure provides a clean separation of concerns and follows Next.js best practices.

Customizing Your Project

Modifying the Landing Page

The landing page (src/app/page.tsx) showcases the template's features. You can modify this file to create your own landing page or start building your application's main interface.

Adding New Components

To add new components, create new files in the src/components directory. For example, to create a new Header component:

Create a file src/components/Header.tsx
Implement your component using React and Tailwind CSS
Import and use the component in your pages or other components

Styling with TailwindCSS

Template-NEXT comes with TailwindCSS pre-configured. To add custom styles:

Modify tailwind.config.ts to add custom colors, fonts, or other design tokens
Use Tailwind utility classes directly in your JSX
For custom styles, add them to src/app/globals.css

Working with Shadcn/ui Components

Shadcn/ui components are readily available in the template. To use them:

Import the desired component from @/components/ui
Use the component in your JSX, customizing props as needed

For example, using the Button component:

my-component.tsx

import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";

export default function MyComponent() {
  return (
    <Button variant="outline" size="lg">
      Click me!
    </Button>
  );
}

Best Practices

TypeScript: Leverage TypeScript's type system to catch errors early and improve code quality.
Component-Based Architecture: Break your UI into reusable components for better maintainability.
CSS-in-JS: Use TailwindCSS classes for styling to keep your styles close to your components.
Performance: Utilize Next.js features like Image Optimization and Automatic Static Optimization.
Accessibility: Ensure your components are accessible, using Shadcn/ui as a starting point.

Conclusion

Template-NEXT provides a powerful and flexible starting point for your Next.js projects, combining best practices, modern tools, and a clean structure. With its enhanced CLI and installation options, you can quickly set up your project in a way that best suits your workflow.

We encourage you to explore the template, customize it to your needs, and build amazing web applications. If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for improvements, feel free to contribute to the GitHub repository.

Remember to check for updates regularly, as Template-NEXT continues to evolve with new features and optimizations to support your development needs.