Building Next JS 14 Layout Async: A Comprehensive Guide

Building a layout in Next.js 14 just got a whole lot easier with the introduction of Layout Async. This powerful feature allows you to load your layout components on demand, significantly improving page load times and user experience.

With Layout Async, you can now separate your layout components from your page components, making it easier to manage and maintain your application's layout.

This means you can focus on building the content of your pages without worrying about the layout, and let Next.js handle the loading of your layout components for you.

By doing so, you can create a more efficient and scalable application that loads faster and performs better, especially for complex layouts or large applications.

In Next.js 14, you have the option to create a custom layout for each page, allowing for more flexibility and control over the UI.

You can achieve this by applying a function to the page component, such as getLayout, which takes the current page as a parameter and returns the desired UI.

This function can be named anything, but getLayout is a common convention. The function will be called when Next.js initializes the page, and it will use the defined layout to render the page.

You can also use the getLayout function in the pages/_app.js file to pass the current page as an argument, allowing for a more dynamic and personalized layout experience.

Next.js offers full rendering flexibility, allowing you to display your data using client-side rendering, server-side rendering, and static site generation.

With Next.js, you can create multiple layouts and nest them, or create a custom layout that applies to specific routes using a per-page implementation.

You can achieve a per-page layout by applying a getLayout property on the page component, which returns the desired UI for the page.

This means you don't have to use the name getLayout - it can be any name, giving you flexibility in your implementation.

You can invoke that function in the pages/_app.js file, and pass the current page as an argument, which is used to render the page.

Next.js initializes a page, checking if a per-page layout is defined in the page component using the getLayout function, and if it is, it's used to render the page.

This flexibility in rendering allows you to choose the best approach for your project, whether it's client-side rendering, server-side rendering, or static site generation.

You can create a custom layout that applies to specific routes using a per-page implementation. This means each individual page component is in charge of its entire layout.

To achieve a per-page layout, you can apply a getLayout property on the page component. This function takes the current page as a parameter and returns the desired UI for the page.

You can define a getLayout function in the page component, and then invoke it in the pages/_app.js file, passing the current page as an argument. Next.js initializes a page, checks if a per-page layout is defined, and uses it to render the page if it is defined.

The getLayout function can be any name, not just getLayout. You can name it whatever makes sense for your project.

In Next.js 14, layout components can be async, which means they can be loaded on demand, reducing the initial page load time.

This is achieved through the use of metadata, specifically the `useEffect` hook and the `getStaticProps` method.

Layout components can be async, which means they can be loaded on demand.

The `useEffect` hook is used to fetch the layout component's data when the component mounts.

The `getStaticProps` method is used to pre-render the layout component at build time, making it available for server-side rendering.

By using metadata, developers can create complex layouts that are loaded asynchronously, improving the user experience.

This approach also allows for better performance and SEO, as the initial page load time is reduced.