Next.js API routes enable full-stack applications. Here's how to build them effectively.
Basic Route Handler
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Dynamic Routes
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Request Handling
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Validation
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Error Handling
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Authentication Middleware
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Rate Limiting
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File Uploads
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Streaming Responses
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Best Practices
Structure:
✓ Group related routes in folders
✓ Use consistent naming conventions
✓ Extract shared logic to lib/
✓ Keep handlers focused
Security:
✓ Validate all inputs
✓ Sanitize outputs
✓ Use proper authentication
✓ Implement rate limiting
Performance:
✓ Use edge runtime when possible
✓ Cache responses appropriately
✓ Minimize database queries
✓ Handle errors gracefully
Testing:
✓ Test happy paths
✓ Test error cases
✓ Test validation
✓ Mock external services
Conclusion
Next.js API routes enable full-stack development with minimal configuration. Use proper validation, error handling, and authentication for production APIs. Structure routes logically and extract shared middleware for maintainability.