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Made in Builder
Setting up visual drag-and-drop page building with Next.js
If you have a Next.js application, you can build, edit, and add pages by dragging and dropping elements within Builder.io. This means that a developer can create the basic structure of an app by generating a Next.js application and then other team members, such as content creators, marketers, and sales specialists can autonomously iterate and update pages on the fly.
Goals
To build pages visually with Next.js, this tutorial guides you through:
- Creating a Next.js app
- Connecting the Builder.io drag-and-drop page building UI to your new app
Creating a Next.js app
Before following these steps to generate a Next.js app, make sure you have Node.js 12.0 or later on your computer.
At the command line, run the following command to generate a Next.js app with TypeScript:
When you're prompted for your permission to install create-next-app, say yes.
For this example, name your project my-app.
Change directory with the cd command:
Open this directory in your favorite code editor.
Adding Builder as a dependency
To use drag-and-drop, add Builder as a dependency.
At the command line, use npm to install Builder:
Start the development server with npm:
Keep your editor open because we'll come back after some set up in Builder.
For more detailed information on Next.js, check out the official Next.js Getting Started.
If you'd rather use a ready-made app, try Builder's Next.js starter with step-by-step instructions.
Configuring your Next.js app
In the pages directory, rename the default index.tsx to [[...page]].tsx . The double square brackets, [[]], are how Next.js creates dynamic routes, which means you can create pages with different names in Builder and Next.js can see them all.
Replace the code in [[...page]].tsx with the following, making sure to add your Public API Key to the builder.init() method.
Understanding the code in [[...page.tsx]]
This section explains what the code in [[...page]].tsx is doing at a high level. For more detailed information, see the Next.js documentation.
At the top of the file, the import statements make all the Next.js and Builder resources available that the code in this file needs.
After the imports, you specify the Builder Public API Key and, with builder.init(), initialize connect your app to Builder.
Building paths with getStaticProps()
The getStaticProps() function tells you what paths the app is building. Here, Builder gets the page and creates the URL, otherwise, if there's no page, you'll get null and a 404.
revalidate: 5 means that Next.js attempts to re-generate the page under these conditions:
- When a request comes in
- At most once every 5 seconds
- To check if Builder has updates to the page
Getting a list of pages with getStaticPaths()
The getStaticPaths() function returns a list of pages, omits unnecessary data for creating the list, and with fallback: true, checks Builder for any new pages you might have added.
A look at the React component
The last section is a regular React component called Page(). It gets the page data and checks that Builder is present. If there's no page and no Builder, Next.js returns a 404. Otherwise, you get your Builder page.
Adding drag-and-drop
Builder adds the ability for your team members–even those who don't code–to create pages and iterate on ideas with a drag-and-drop interface.
Head over to Builder.io to sign up for an account if you don't already have one. Come back when you're logged in.
If you're new to Builder, you'll see the following screen when you first login.
If you don't have the introductory prompt for creating a space, here's how you get it:
Step 1
Click on the Organization icon on the bottom left.
Step 2
Hover over Builder.io and choose + New Space.
Goal!
Click Add Builder to an existing site or app.
When Builder asks you which ecommerce platform you use, select None.
Name your new space by entering "My Next.js App" and click Create.
Getting your API Key and setting your URL
To connect your Builder.io space to your application, set the site URL and get the API key as follows. Go to your Account settings by clicking on the Account icon in the left sidenav.
In the Account settings, change your Site URL to http://localhost:3000 and copy the Public API Key. We're going to paste the API Key into your Next.js app in the next section.
Tip: When you change your Site URL to http://locahost:3000, be sure to include the http://.
Creating a default page
Currently, when you go to http://localhost:3000, you should see a 404 page. This is because your app is ready for you to provide a page to render.
To give your app something to work with, click on the Content icon in the left sidenav:
Click the +New button near the top right of the screen.
Create a new page in Builder and name it /.
When you are prompted to choose a starting template, choose Blank. The editor for your new page loads automatically.
In your new page, click the +Add Block button.
Select the text icon to add a text block.
Click Edit and add something like, "I did it!!".
Click the green Publish button in the upper right of the browser.
Go to http://localhost:3000 and check out your work. Well done!
To make more pages, follow the same steps outlined here but name your pages with descriptive names such as "About Us" or "Current Projects" as in the following example.
Notice that Builder creates a URL from the page name. So "Current Projects" becomes current-projects.
If you're getting a 404 but aren't sure why, check these things:
- Make sure you've published your page in Builder by clicking the Publish Draft button on the upper right corner.
- Check the URL. If you name the page test2 for example, Builder adds a hyphen, so that the URL segment is test-2.
- Check that your browser will allow insecure content.
Next steps
Follow the next step in this series by learning How to drag+drop to build pages visually with your React components to this app.
With Next.js and Builder working together, the next step is the fun part–add some pages in Builder and drag in some elements. Play with styles and explore the UI.
Learn how to use your React components in our visual editor.
Try creating a landing page, or if you're ready to handover some page building, check out the ways you can get the whole team involved in application development with different roles and permissions.