next-lovable

    Migrate from Your Lovable React to Next.js

    A comprehensive, step-by-step guide to seamlessly transition your Vite React application to the powerful Next.js framework.

    Why Migrate to Next.js?

    Improved Performance

    Next.js offers automatic image optimization, code splitting, and other optimizations that significantly improve your app's performance.

    Server-Side Rendering

    Improve SEO and initial load times with built-in SSR capabilities, unlike Vite's client-side only rendering approach.

    Hybrid Rendering

    Choose between static generation, server-side rendering, or incremental static regeneration on a per-page basis.

    File-Based Routing

    Next.js's intuitive file-based routing system eliminates the need for complex route configurations.

    Built-in API Routes

    Create backend API endpoints directly within your Next.js application without setting up a separate server.

    Production Ready

    Next.js is battle-tested at scale and designed for production environments with built-in optimizations.

    Migration Process Overview

    1

    Project Setup

    Create a new Next.js project and prepare your environment for the migration process.

    $npx create-next-app@latest my-next-app
    ✓ Creating a new Next.js app in /my-next-app
    ✓ Installing dependencies
    ✓ Installation complete!
    🚀 Get started by navigating to the directory and running npm run dev
    2

    Dependencies Transfer

    Copy your dependencies from package.json and install them in your new Next.js project.

    json
    {
       "dependencies": {
         "next": "^13.4.0",
         "react": "^18.2.0",
         "@radix-ui/react-toast": "^1.2.1",
         "@radix-ui/react-toggle": "^1.1.0",
         "@radix-ui/react-toggle-group": "^1.1.0",
         "@radix-ui/react-tooltip": "^1.1.4",
         "tailwindcss": "^3.3.1"
    }
    3

    Component Migration

    Move your React components from the Vite project structure to Next.js pages directory.

    tsx
    // Before (Vite): src/components/HomePage.tsx
    export default function HomePage() {
        return <div>Welcome to my app!</div>;
    }
    tsx
    // After (Next.js): pages/page.tsx
    export default function Home() {
        return <div>Welcome to my app!</div>;
    }
    4

    Routing Adaptation

    Convert your React Router setup to Next.js's file-based routing system.

    jsx
    // Before (Vite with React Router):
    <Routes>
      <Route path="/" element={<Home />} />
      <Route path="/about" element={<About />} />
      <Route path="/products/:id" element={<Product />} />
    </Routes>
    // After (Next.js):
    // pages/page.tsx → Renders at /
    // pages/about/page.tsx → Renders at /about
    // pages/products/[id]/page.tsx → Renders at /products/:id
    5

    Data Fetching Updates

    Replace client-side data fetching with Next.js's powerful data fetching methods.

    jsx
    // Before (Vite with React hooks):
    function ProductPage() {
        const [product, setProduct] = useState(null);
        
        useEffect(() => {
            fetch('/api/products/1')
                .then(res => res.json())
                .then(data => setProduct(data));
        }, []);
        
        return product ? <div>{product.name}</div> : <div>Loading...</div>;
    }
    jsx
    // After (Next.js with getServerSideProps):
    export async function getServerSideProps() {
        const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/products/1');
        const product = await res.json();
        
        return {
            props: { product }
        };
    }
    function ProductPage({ product }) {
        return <div>{product.name}</div>;
    }

    Estimated Timeline

    Day 1

    Project Setup & Planning

    Set up Next.js project, review your Vite application structure, and create a migration plan.

    Day 2-3

    Component Migration

    Move core components and pages from Vite to Next.js structure.

    Day 4-5

    Routing & Navigation

    Adapt your routing system to Next.js's file-based approach and update navigation links.

    Day 6-7

    Data Fetching & State Management

    Update your data fetching strategies to use Next.js's server-side rendering capabilities.

    Day 8-9

    Styling & Asset Migration

    Move CSS, images, and other assets to the appropriate Next.js directories.

    Day 10

    Testing & Deployment

    Test your Next.js application and deploy it using Vercel or your preferred hosting platform.

    Complete

    Performance Optimization

    Fine-tune your Next.js app to take advantage of its performance features.

    Average Migration Time: ~10 days

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is my codebase sent to any server?

    Nope. All transformations happen **entirely locally** on your machine. Your code is never uploaded or sent to any server—privacy and security are fully respected.

    What happens to my existing codebase?

    Your original codebase remains untouched. Next-Lovable generates a new directory with the migrated Next.js project, so you can safely test and compare without affecting your current setup.

    What about Supabase edge functions?

    They stay intact—your `supabase/functions` folder is copied over 1:1, ensuring everything continues to work as expected in the migrated project.

    Does it support complex routing?

    Yes! Next-Lovable intelligently converts React Router routes—including nested routes, dynamic parameters, and layout components—into the equivalent structure using Next.js App Router.

    What about my third-party dependencies?

    Next-Lovable inspects your `package.json`, updates dependencies to Next.js-compatible versions, and installs required packages automatically for a smooth transition.

    How long does the migration process take?

    For most projects, the migration completes in seconds. Larger or more complex apps might take up to a minute or two, depending on file count and code structure.

    What is the `--dry-run` flag for?

    Use `--dry-run` to simulate the migration without actually writing any files. It helps you preview changes, catch potential issues, and avoid wasting credits if something needs to be fixed first.

    Ready to Upgrade Your React App?

    Take your Lovable Vite+React application to the next level with Next.js's powerful features and optimizations.