Next.js Performance Optimization

Before Starting

1. Analyze current performance with Lighthouse
2. Identify bottlenecks - check Core Web Vitals in Chrome DevTools or PageSpeed Insights
3. Determine optimization priority:
   • LCP issues → Focus on images, fonts
   • INP issues → Reduce JS, use Server Components
   • CLS issues → Add dimensions, use next/font

Core Principles

1. Prefer Server Components - Only use 'use client' when necessary (browser APIs, interactivity)
2. Load components as low as possible - Keep Client Components at leaf nodes
3. Use Suspense boundaries - Enable streaming and progressive loading
4. Cache appropriately - Use tags for granular revalidation
5. Measure before/after - Always verify improvements with real metrics

References

Each file is loaded on demand — read one only when the task needs that depth (progressive disclosure).

• references/core-web-vitals.md — LCP/INP/CLS targets, diagnostics, and per-metric optimizations · read when measuring or fixing Core Web Vitals.
• references/image-optimization.md — next/image sizing, priority, blur placeholder, remotePatterns config · read when fixing LCP or image-related CLS.
• references/font-optimization.md — next/font setup, subsets, display swap, CSS variable integration · read when eliminating font-related CLS or FOUT.
• references/caching-strategies.md — unstable_cache, revalidateTag/Path, ISR, cache tags, TTL guidance · read when configuring data or route caching.
• references/server-components.md — Client-to-Server conversion patterns, RSC constraints, Suspense boundaries · read when moving components server-side or wiring streaming.
• references/streaming-suspense.md — Suspense boundaries, progressive loading, fallback skeletons · read when implementing streaming or reducing TTFB.
• references/bundle-optimization.md — dynamic(), code splitting, tree shaking, modularizeImports, bundle-analyzer · read when reducing initial JS bundle size.
• references/metadata-seo.md — static/generateMetadata, Open Graph, canonical, sitemap · read when configuring metadata or SEO.
• references/api-routes.md — Route Handler patterns, Edge runtime, input validation, error handling · read when optimizing API routes.
• references/nextjs-16-patterns.md — async params Promise, use() hook, useOptimistic, React 19 patterns · read when adopting Next.js 15+/React 19 APIs.

Common Conversions

Constraints and Warnings

Server Components Limitations

• Cannot use browser APIs (window, localStorage, document)
• Cannot use React hooks (useState, useEffect, useContext)
• Cannot use event handlers (onClick, onSubmit)
• Cannot use dynamic imports with ssr: false

Image Optimization Constraints

• priority should only be used for above-the-fold images
• External images require configuration in next.config.js
• width and height are required unless using fill
• Animated GIFs are not optimized by default

Caching Considerations

• Cache tags must be manually invalidated
• Data cache is per-request in development
• Edge runtime has different caching behavior
• Be careful caching user-specific data

Bundle Size Warnings

• Dynamic imports can impact SEO if critical content
• Tree shaking requires proper ES module usage
• Some libraries cannot be tree shaken (avoid barrel exports)
• Client Components increase bundle size - use sparingly

Performance Checklist

• All images use next/image with proper dimensions
• LCP images have priority attribute
• Fonts use next/font with subsets
• Server Components used where possible
• Client Components at leaf level only
• Suspense boundaries for data fetching
• Caching configured for expensive operations
• Bundle analyzed for duplicates
• Heavy components lazy loaded
• Lighthouse score verified before/after

Common Mistakes

// ❌ DON'T: Fetch in useEffect
'use client'
useEffect(() => { fetch('/api/data').then(...) }, [])

// ✅ DO: Fetch directly in Server Component
const data = await fetch('/api/data')

// ❌ DON'T: Forget dimensions on images
<Image src="/photo.jpg" />

// ✅ DO: Always provide dimensions
<Image src="/photo.jpg" width={800} height={600} />

// ❌ DON'T: Use priority on all images
<Image src="/photo1.jpg" priority />
<Image src="/photo2.jpg" priority />

// ✅ DO: Priority only for LCP
<Image src="/hero.jpg" priority />
<Image src="/photo.jpg" loading="lazy" />

// ❌ DON'T: Cache everything with same TTL
{ revalidate: 3600 }

// ✅ DO: Match TTL to data change frequency
{ revalidate: 86400 } // Categories rarely change
{ revalidate: 60 }     // Comments change often