App Router

What it does

This App Router skill provides guidance and examples for using Next.js's App Router, a file-system based router built on React Server Components. It explains core file conventions (like page.tsx, layout.tsx, loading.tsx) and folder structures used to define routes and control UI behavior within the app/ directory of a Next.js project. The skill helps developers understand how to create basic routes, dynamic routes with parameters, and utilize specialized folders for different purposes (e.g., private components).

When to use it

• You're starting a new Next.js project using the App Router.
• You need help understanding the purpose of specific files like page.tsx, layout.tsx, or error.tsx.
• You want to learn how to create dynamic routes with parameters in your Next.js application.
• You're unsure about the meaning and usage of folder conventions such as [slug]/ or (marketing)/.

Key capabilities

• Explains core file conventions for route definition (page.tsx, layout.tsx, etc.).
• Describes folder conventions for creating routes, dynamic segments, catch-all segments, and route groups.
• Provides examples of basic route structures and how to access route parameters.
• Details the purpose of special folders like @folder/ (named slots) and _folder/ (private folders).

Example prompts

• "Explain what a 'layout.tsx' file does in Next.js App Router."
• "How do I create a dynamic route with a parameter called 'slug'?"
• "What is the purpose of the @modal folder convention?"

Tips & gotchas

• This skill focuses on understanding the structure and conventions of the Next.js App Router, not implementing complex application logic within those files.
• The params prop in dynamic route components returns a Promise; be mindful of asynchronous handling when accessing parameters.
• Familiarity with React Server Components is helpful for fully utilizing the App Router's capabilities.