Next.js 15 Tutorial - 13 - Route Groups

Organizing Projects with Route Groups in Nex.js

Introduction to Route Groups

• The video introduces the concept of route groups in Nex.js, emphasizing their role in organizing project files without altering the URL structure.

• It highlights that route groups are essential for sharing layouts between routes while keeping URLs intact.

Implementing Authentication Routes

• The tutorial begins by creating folders for authentication routes: register, login, and forgot password within the app directory.

• Each folder contains a page.tsx file with a simple React component displaying respective headings (e.g., "Register", "Login", "Forgot Password").

Challenges with Scattered Routes

• The presenter notes that having authentication routes scattered can be manageable for solo developers but becomes challenging in team environments.

• To enhance developer experience, it is suggested to group related routes into an 'au' folder containing all authentication-related routes.

Restructuring Project Files

• After moving the folders into the 'au' directory and updating imports, the project structure appears cleaner; however, this breaks existing routes leading to 404 errors.

• This issue arises because Nex.js maps nested folders to URL paths automatically. For example, it creates URLs like /au/register, which may not be suitable for other groups.

Utilizing Route Groups Effectively

• To resolve URL issues while maintaining organization, route groups are introduced by renaming the 'au' folder with parentheses (i.e., (au)).

• This notation instructs Nex.js to treat the folder as an organizational tool only, excluding it from affecting URL paths.