Sst Nextjs Development Simplified with OpenNext

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Sst Nextjs is a popular framework for building fast and scalable applications, but its steep learning curve can be overwhelming for beginners. With OpenNext, you can simplify your Sst Nextjs development experience.

OpenNext provides a set of pre-built components and tools that make it easier to get started with Sst Nextjs. By leveraging OpenNext, you can save time and effort that would otherwise be spent on setting up and configuring your project.

One of the key benefits of using OpenNext with Sst Nextjs is the ability to create a production-ready application quickly. With OpenNext, you can create a fully functional Nextjs application in a matter of minutes, without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure.

Take a look at this: How to Start a Nextjs Project

Creating Infrastructure

To create infrastructure using SST, you simply need to edit the sst.config.ts file and import any AWS services like S3 bucket, RDS, API Gateway, and so on from sst/constructs.

You can add a simple S3 file upload feature by opening the sst.config.ts file and adding a specific code block, which creates a new public S3 bucket and binds it with your NextjsSite.

To deploy the changes, you'll see a page with a URL generated by CloudFront, which is a random string and not memorable by humans.

This is where you can configure a custom domain to make the URL more human-friendly.

Take a look at this: File Upload Next Js Supabase

Next.js Application

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A Next.js application is a great way to build server-side rendered and statically generated websites and applications. It's a popular choice for many developers due to its ease of use and flexibility.

You can use Next.js with SST by initializing SST in your project, which creates configuration files and adds dependencies to your project.

To create a Next.js route handler, you'll need to create a nested api/waitlist directory within your src directory. This is where you'll add a route.ts file to handle POST requests. The route handler will interact with your DynamoDB table using the DynamoDB SDK.

See what others are reading: Nextjs Cookies

OpenNext Overview

OpenNext is a tool that helps run Next.js apps within Lambda functions. It generates a build output and converts it into a package for SST to deploy to the AWS Lambda or S3 services.

OpenNext is closely tied to SST, as it relies on SST to deploy the build output to the cloud. This integration makes it easier to manage and update Next.js applications.

To be more specific, OpenNext is used in conjunction with SST's Constructs, which represent a cloud service within an application. This means that OpenNext works seamlessly with SST's Bucket for S3 or Table for DynamoDB Constructs.

Next.js Application Constructs

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SST, formerly known as Serverless Stack, abstracts away the complexities of deploying full-stack serverless applications to AWS. SST simplifies the process of provisioning and updating services to automatically deploy scalable serverless applications.

SST leverages the AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) for automation. It includes several CDK components and concepts, such as Constructs, which represent a cloud service within an application.

To use SST features, you need to initialize it within your project. The SST CLI generates the boilerplate configuration files, including sst-env.d.ts and sst.config.ts.

SST provides Constructs covering primary AWS services, such as Bucket for S3 or Table for DynamoDB. These Constructs represent a cloud service within an application.

Here are some key Constructs provided by SST:

  • Bucket for S3
  • Table for DynamoDB

By using SST Constructs, you can easily provision and update AWS services within your application. This simplifies the process of deploying a scalable serverless application to AWS.

Deployment and Hosting

Deploying your SST app to AWS is made easy with OpenNext, an open source adapter specifically designed for Next.js. It transforms your build output into a package ready for deployment to AWS Lambda or S3 services.

Related reading: Amplify Nextjs

Credit: youtube.com, Is SST even a good choice to deploy Next.js?

To deploy your JuiceBox application to AWS, run the command provided by OpenNext. The SST CLI will prompt you to create a new stage for production, as having multiple environments for various purposes is standard practice.

OpenNext executes the build command before deploying it to AWS, and outputs CloudFormation logs during deployment to keep you informed about its progress. After deployment, it also outputs the application's URL, which uses a Cloudfront CDN to cache static content.

SST simplifies the deployment process, allowing developers to deploy applications to multiple environments and regions effortlessly. This means you can focus on building your app without worrying about the complexities of deployment.

OpenNext will output the application's URL after deployment, which uses a Cloudfront CDN to cache static content. This makes your app load faster and more efficiently for users.

Explore further: Next Js Spa

Serverless Stack

Serverless Stack is a flexible, open-source framework designed to enable faster development and reliable deployment of serverless applications on AWS.

Credit: youtube.com, Complete TUTORIAL on deploying Next.js to AWS Lambda with SST, Neon Postgres, Drizzle ORM, and more!

It makes it easier for developers to define their application's infrastructure using AWS CDK.

You can use it to test applications in real-time with Live Lambda Development.

Debugging code in Visual Studio Code is also a breeze with Serverless Stack.

Deploying to multiple environments and regions seamlessly is another great feature of Serverless Stack.

Consider reading: Nextjs Code Block

Understanding Serverless Stack

Serverless Stack Toolkit, or SST for short, is a flexible, open-source framework designed to enable faster development and reliable deployment of serverless applications on AWS.

It's designed to make development easier and more efficient, which is a game-changer for developers.

SST uses AWS CDK to define an application's infrastructure, making it easier to manage and deploy.

With SST, you can test applications in real-time with Live Lambda Development, which is a huge time-saver.

You can also debug code in Visual Studio Code, which is a popular choice among developers.

SST also offers a web-based dashboard to manage applications, giving you a clear view of your project's status.

Deploying to multiple environments and regions is seamless with SST.

This means you can focus on writing code, not worrying about the infrastructure.

For more insights, see: Hire Next Js Developers

Uploading Files to S3

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Uploading files to S3 is a straightforward process. You can use SST to upload files to S3 using a file input and a submit button.

To upload a file, you'll need to generate a pre-signed URL, which can be done by adding the @aws-sdk/s3-request-presigner package to your repo.

This package helps you generate a pre-signed URL that allows you to upload files to S3 without actually storing the files in your code. Once you've generated the pre-signed URL, you can use it to upload the file to S3.

To deploy the changes, run the yarn sst deploy command. This command will update your S3 bucket and make the uploaded file available.

You can also use SST to upload files to S3 by using a form with a file input and a button to submit the form. In this case, the selected image will be uploaded to S3 when the form is submitted.

After deploying the changes, you'll get a random URL generated by CloudFront, which may be difficult to memorize. To make it easier, you can configure a custom domain.

Benefits and Testing

Credit: youtube.com, OpenNext 1.0: It's free Next.js

Using SST with Next.js can bring numerous benefits to your development workflow. One significant advantage is the ability to test and debug serverless applications locally before deployment to AWS, which reduces potential issues and ensures smoother deployment.

SST enables live Lambda development, making it easier to test and debug serverless applications locally. This feature is especially useful for catching errors and bugs early on, saving you time and effort in the long run.

By using SST, you can test and debug your serverless applications with ease, even when working on complex projects. This streamlined testing process helps you deliver high-quality applications faster.

Curious to learn more? Check out: How to Debug Next Js in Vscode

Custom Domain and S3

To configure a custom domain with S3, you'll need to update the sst.config.ts file. Paste the ARN you copied while creating the certificate as a value for the variable certArn.

Replace the domainName with your actual domain, then run yarn sst deploy to deploy the changes. Once deployed, you'll have your Next.js app up and running on the custom URL.

See what others are reading: Nextjs Custom Server

Configuring External Custom Domain

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To configure an external custom domain, you'll need to update your sst.config.ts file. Update the sst.config.ts file with the following code, pasting the ARN you copied while creating the certificate as a value for the variable certArn. Replace the domainName with your domain.

You'll also need to run yarn sst deploy to deploy the changes to a custom domain. Once deployed, you should have the app running on the custom URL.

To verify this, you can check your custom domain URL, and you should see your application running there. This is a straightforward process that gets your Next.js app up and running with a custom domain using SST.

To point your CNAME to CloudFront, follow these steps:

  1. Login into AWS Console and search for CloudFront
  2. Click on the distribution created by SST
  3. In the General tab, click Edit button

Uploading to S3

Uploading to S3 is a straightforward process that can be achieved using SST. To start, you'll need to add an input with a file type and a button for submitting the form.

To upload a file to S3, you need to generate a pre-signed URL. This can be done by adding the @aws-sdk/s3-request-presigner package to your repo.

To deploy the changes after setting up file upload, run the yarn sst deploy command. This command will deploy the changes to your S3 bucket.

Upon submitting the selected image, it will be uploaded to S3.

A different take: Nextjs Folder Structure

Testing and Debugging

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SST enables live Lambda development, making it easier to test and debug serverless applications locally before deployment to AWS.

This reduces potential issues and ensures smoother deployment, which is a huge time-saver and stress-reducer for developers.

By testing and debugging locally, you can catch errors and bugs early on, preventing them from causing problems down the line.

SST's live Lambda development feature makes it easier to iterate and refine your application, leading to a more polished and reliable final product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SST next?

SST Next is a deployment system for Next.js applications, allowing you to deploy on your own AWS account with full control over your infrastructure

What does SST dev do?

SST dev starts a local development environment called Live Lambda, allowing you to set breakpoints and test functions locally. It connects directly to AWS for seamless backend development

Melba Kovacek

Writer

Melba Kovacek is a seasoned writer with a passion for shedding light on the complexities of modern technology. Her writing career spans a diverse range of topics, with a focus on exploring the intricacies of cloud services and their impact on users. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex concepts, Melba has established herself as a trusted voice in the tech journalism community.

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