[FEATURE] Migration from Pages Router to App Router in Next.js

[s2sharpit]

Detailed description

I would like to propose a migration from the existing Pages Router to the new App Router in Next.js. This transition would bring numerous benefits and enhance the overall development experience.

Benefits

Allow me to outline the advantages of adopting the App Router over the Pages Router:

1. Improved Performance: The App Router introduces optimized client-side routing, resulting in faster navigation between pages. By utilizing dynamic imports, it enables code splitting, leading to smaller initial page loads and improved performance for users.

2. Enhanced Developer Experience: The App Router simplifies the management of complex routing scenarios. It offers a more intuitive and declarative API, allowing developers to define their routes in a centralized configuration file. This approach improves code maintainability and reduces duplication, leading to a cleaner and more scalable codebase.

3. Enhanced Code Splitting: The App Router allows for granular control over code splitting, enabling us to dynamically load only the necessary components for each page. As a result, the initial page load is significantly faster, and subsequent navigations are more efficient.

4. Advanced Route Handling: The App Router introduces additional features such as nested routes, parameter-based routing, and dynamic route segments. These capabilities enable more flexible and dynamic page structures, making it easier to handle various URL patterns and create dynamic routes that adapt to different contexts.

5. SEO-Friendly: The App Router supports server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), making it SEO-friendly out of the box. It ensures that search engines can crawl and index your application's pages effectively, improving discoverability and organic traffic.

6. Layout Flexibility: Unlike the Pages Router, which enforces a strict file-based layout structure, the App Router allows us to have more flexibility in designing layouts. We can easily create shared layouts that wrap multiple pages without duplicating code, promoting better code organization.

Possible implementation

Migration Plan

To ensure a smooth transition from the Pages Router to the App Router, I suggest the following migration plan:

1. Conduct a thorough code analysis and identify all the relevant routes currently implemented with the Pages Router.

2. Create a test branch to implement the App Router in the existing codebase, while keeping the Pages Router intact to avoid disrupting the application's functionality during the migration process.

3. Migrate one route at a time, testing each page thoroughly to ensure functionality remains consistent.

4. Update any custom code associated with navigation, such as Link components, to work with the App Router.

5. Conduct rigorous testing, including performance tests, to benchmark the improvements achieved through the migration.

6. Ensure the codebase adheres to the best practices and conventions recommended by Next.js for App Router implementation.

7. Update the documentation and provide clear instructions for developers on how to work with the new App Router.

Conclusion

I believe that migrating to the App Router is a valuable step for our project, bringing numerous benefits to both developers and end-users. The improved performance, enhanced developer experience, advanced route handling, SEO-friendliness, and layout flexibility make it a compelling choice. With the suggested migration plan, we can ensure a smooth and successful transition. I would be more than happy to assist with the migration process and provide any necessary support.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I look forward to discussing and implementing this change.

[github-actions[bot]]

Hey @s2sharpit,

Thank you for raising an issue. We will investigate into the matter and get back to you as soon as possible.

Please make sure you have given us as much context as possible.

[swapnilsparsh]

@s2sharpit Go ahead 🙌🏻

[github-actions[bot]]

Hey @s2sharpit, thank you for raising an issue. I have assigned the issue to you. You can now start working on it. If you encounter any problems, feel free to connect with us.

[s2sharpit]

Thank you for assigning me to this issue. I appreciate the opportunity to work on implementing the migration from the existing Pages Router to the new App Router in Next.js.

To ensure a focused and organized approach, I kindly request that you create a dedicated branch specifically for this migration, such as "app-router-migration." This will allow us to work on the migration without disrupting the main development branch and maintain the application's functionality throughout the process.

Once the branch is created, I will proceed with the following steps:

1. Implement the App Router: I will begin implementing the App Router in the "app-router-migration" branch while keeping the existing Pages Router intact.

2. Migrate one route at a time: I will migrate each route individually, ensuring that each page functions properly with the App Router.

3. Thorough testing: I will conduct comprehensive testing on each page after migration to ensure consistent functionality and identify any issues.

4. Update navigation code: I will update any custom code related to navigation, such as Link components, to work seamlessly with the App Router.

5. Adhere to best practices: I will ensure that the codebase adheres to the best practices and conventions recommended by Next.js for implementing the App Router.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or specific guidelines you would like me to follow during the migration process, please let me know. I value your input and want to ensure that the migration aligns with your expectations.

Thank you for your trust in me to handle this task. I'm excited to work on this enhancement and I'm available to provide any support or assistance throughout the migration process.

[swapnilsparsh]

@s2sharpit very informative guidelines that you shared so I suggest you make a new branch and start the work there. Once done then create a PR after that the changes which are required to be added will be handled by me so you independently work on a new branch. Good Luck 👍🏻

[s2sharpit]

@s2sharpit very informative guidelines that you shared so I suggest you make a new branch and start the work there. Once done then create a PR after that the changes which are required to be added will be handled by me so you independently work on a new branch. Good Luck 👍🏻

Thanks for your reply @swapnilsparsh. I'm glad you found my guidelines informative. I was initially planning to raise about 6 to 8 pull requests (PRs) to complete the migration task, ensuring a systematic approach. However, if you prefer, I can work on a single PR as you suggested. Let me know your thoughts on the multiple PR approach. If you still want to proceed with a single PR, I'll adapt my strategy accordingly. Looking forward to your response.

[s2sharpit]

I have an alternative approach for the migration process that doesn't require creating another branch. We can convert one page at a time to the App Router while keeping the rest in the Page Router, ensuring it will not affect the deployment or functionality of the project. Once each page is successfully migrated, we can merge the changes directly into the main branch. This step-by-step approach can simplify the migration process. What do you think of this idea? Your feedback is appreciated.

[swapnilsparsh]

I have an alternative approach for the migration process that doesn't require creating another branch. We can convert one page at a time to the App Router while keeping the rest in the Page Router, ensuring it will not affect the deployment or functionality of the project. Once each page is successfully migrated, we can merge the changes directly into the main branch. This step-by-step approach can simplify the migration process. What do you think of this idea? Your feedback is appreciated.

This approach looks more better to me. Go ahead 🙌🏻

[s2sharpit]

Hello @swapnilsparsh,

I hope this message finds you well. While working on the current issue, I've discovered that our current approach to implementing themes in Next.js may not be the best practice. After conducting some research, I came across the next-themes package, which appears to provide a more efficient solution.

I wanted to discuss the possibility of converting our theming implementation to use the next-themes package. This change could offer several benefits, including improved performance and enhanced flexibility. I believe it would be a worthwhile endeavor to explore this alternative approach.

I would greatly appreciate your guidance and approval to proceed with converting our theming implementation to utilize the next-themes package. Please let me know your thoughts on this proposal and whether it aligns with our project's goals and requirements.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[swapnilsparsh]

@s2sharpit I don't think the next theme is the best option to consider. We should follow the new documentation of next js 13 which is there to make the best use from it.

[s2sharpit]

@s2sharpit I don't think the next theme is the best option to consider. We should follow the new documentation of next js 13 which is there to make the best use from it.

Thank you for your message. I understand your point about the new documentation for Next.js 13, but I couldn't find any information about theming in it. If you have come across any details regarding theming in Next.js 13, I would appreciate it if you could share them with me. I believe it's important for us to explore all the available options before making a decision.

[swapnilsparsh]

@s2sharpit I was finding the app page appraoch best, but you can document all the possible ways with pros and cons from wherer we can go ahead to make the final decisionl.

[s2sharpit]

Subject: Next.js 13 Migration: Evaluating Migration Approaches

Hello @swapnilsparsh ,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your input regarding the migration of our Next.js project to Next.js 13. After considering your perspective, as well as exploring the available options, I believe we should carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each approach before making a final decision. Let's discuss the two possible migration strategies in more detail:

1. Gradual Migration: Migrate Pages Individually

Pros:

• Step-by-step migration: This approach allows for a gradual transition, converting one page at a time. It simplifies the process and minimizes the risk of breaking the entire project during migration.
• Minimal disruption: By keeping the remaining pages in the Page Router, the existing deployment and functionality of the project remain intact.

Cons:

• Shared component challenges: Migrating shared components like the navbar and footer can be more complex. It requires careful consideration and planning to ensure they function properly in both the Page Router and App Router environments. It is not possible to use shared components simultaneously in both the Page Router and App Router, which may introduce inconsistencies and require additional adjustments.
• Potential difficulties in maintaining two codebases: With pages being migrated individually, there will be a need to maintain both the Page Router and App Router codebases simultaneously during the migration process. This can introduce extra complexity and make it harder to manage and track changes effectively.

2. Recommended Approach: Incremental Migration

Pros:

• Next.js recommendation: Next.js recommends the incremental migration approach, providing detailed documentation and resources to support this method. It aligns with best practices and ensures compatibility with Next.js 13.
• Better handling of shared components: By creating a new branch for migration, you have the opportunity to address the challenges associated with shared components in a more controlled manner. This approach allows for comprehensive testing and adjustments to ensure the proper functioning of these components in the App Router.
• Easy rollback: If any issues arise during the migration, it's relatively easy to roll back by not merging the branch into the main branch until the migration is complete.

Cons:

• Additional development overhead: The incremental migration approach requires creating a new branch, performing the migration, and then merging the changes.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the best approach to using themes in Next.js is to leverage a widely used library called next-themes. This library has gained popularity among Next.js projects and is even used by the maintainer of the Next.js repository, Lee Robinson, in his own projects. Incorporating next-themes into our migration process can provide a reliable and community-supported solution for implementing themes in our Next.js application.

Considering the complexity involved in migrating shared components, I am inclined to favor the incremental migration approach. By following the recommended guidelines and utilizing next-themes for theming, we can ensure a smoother transition to Next.js 13 while maintaining the integrity of our shared components.

I would love to hear your thoughts on these approaches and whether you have any additional insights or concerns. It is important for us to thoroughly evaluate each option before finalizing our decision. Please feel free to share your perspective, and let's collaborate to find the best solution for our project.

Thank you once again for your time and contribution.

Best regards, Tushar

Additional Resources:

• Next.js App Router Migration Guide: Next.js Documentation
• Next.js App Router Migration YouTube Video: Next.js YouTube

[swapnilsparsh]

@s2sharpit GIve me some time to make decision, will let you know soon.

[s2sharpit]

@s2sharpit GIve me some time to make decision, will let you know soon.

Ya Sure.

[swapnilsparsh]

@s2sharpit Thank you providing the insight but right not I feel the page router is better. I will be changing soon to app router but not right now. Good Luck 👍

[github-actions[bot]]

Hey @s2sharpit, This issue is closed.