Serverless Architecture with Next.js 14 and Next.js Actions: A Practical Guide

With the release of Next.js 14, the framework brings significant upgrades that simplify modern web development. One of the standout features is Next.js Actions, which allows developers to handle server-side logic directly in the same file without the need for a dedicated backend or API routes. In this blog, we will explore how Next.js 14 and Next.js Actions can be leveraged to build a serverless architecture, using examples from a project hosted in my [GitHub repository.]

What is Serverless Architecture?

In a serverless architecture, developers no longer need to manage servers explicitly. The cloud provider dynamically allocates resources, and users are charged based on actual usage, not pre-purchased capacity. With Next.js 14, this concept becomes easier to implement as you can now perform server-side operations like form submissions, CRUD operations, and database queries directly within your components using Next.js Actions.

Next.js Actions Overview

Next.js Actions provide a streamlined approach to executing server-side code without the need for API routes. With actions, you can handle operations like form submissions, authentication, or even database manipulation right inside your Next.js pages or components.

Setting Up Serverless Functions with Next.js Actions

In the project on my GitHub, we built a full-stack application using Next.js 14 and MongoDB. Let’s break down how Next.js Actions are used to handle server-side logic seamlessly.

1. Form Submission Using Next.js Actions

One of the key parts of the application is the form handling functionality. Instead of setting up a separate API route, we use Next.js Actions to manage the form data submission directly.

Here’s a snippet of the form from the ask-question page:

The action here handles the form submission. Instead of creating an API route, Next.js Actions can process this form directly within the page component.

2. Serverless MongoDB Integration Using Next.js Actions

We integrated MongoDB into the project to store questions and answers. The beauty of Next.js Actions is that you can query the database without setting up a separate API layer. Below is an example of how data is stored in MongoDB directly within the action:

In this snippet, the ask-question action saves the form data directly into a MongoDB collection. By utilizing Next.js Actions, the entire operation stays serverless, and there’s no need to manage servers or manually scale APIs.

3. Fetching Data Server-Side with Next.js Actions

Another major advantage of using Next.js Actions is fetching data from the server. For example, in our project, we have a page where users can view all questions:

This example fetches the list of questions from the database using a serverless action and renders them on the page. The API call is server-side, making it highly efficient for performance.

4. API Route for Fetching Questions

Here’s the corresponding action for fetching the data from MongoDB:

This API route retrieves all the questions stored in MongoDB and returns them to the client. Using Next.js Actions, we’ve kept the logic serverless and scalable without needing a traditional API backend.

Benefits of Serverless Architecture with Next.js 14 and Actions
Reduced Complexity:

1. No need to manage separate API routes, simplifying the development process.
2. Performance: Serverless functions are automatically scaled by cloud providers, reducing latency and improving speed.
3. Cost Efficiency: You only pay for what you use, making serverless an affordable option.
4. Security: With serverless functions and Next.js Actions, you can ensure that server-side code is only executed in a secure environment, reducing attack surfaces.

Conclusion

By combining Next.js 14 with Next.js Actions, you can create a powerful serverless architecture that is scalable, performant, and easier to maintain. This approach is particularly well-suited for modern web applications, allowing developers to focus more on business logic and less on infrastructure management.

If you’re looking to build a full-stack application without the hassle of managing servers, Next.js 14 and Actions provide a streamlined way to handle server-side logic, data fetching, and form submissions—all within the same framework.

You can explore the full codebase on my GitHub repository and try it out for yourself!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about this project or want to dive deeper into serverless architecture with Next.js 14 and Next.js Actions!