Ever felt like starting a Next.js project takes too long?
You install a bunch of packages, configure ESLint, Prettier, setup routing, API endpoints… the list goes on.
Enter: Next Forge — Vercel’s sleek new starter kit that does all the heavy lifting.
What is Next Forge?
Next Forge is a starter kit for building web apps with Next.js, built and maintained by Vercel — the creators of Next.js.
Think of it like a ready-to-go toolbox. It's packed with best practices, performance tweaks, and scalable structure — so you don’t waste time reinventing the wheel.
It’s designed for:
- Developers who want to ship faster
- Teams looking for consistency
- Beginners who want to start right
what is the Philosophy behind it, why Next Forge matter
Let’s break it down:
Fast
Your project should be fast. This doesn't just mean fast to build, run and deploy. It also means it should be fast to validate ideas, iterate and scale. This is critical for front-loading the important parts of starting a startup: finding product-market fit, iterating on the core concept and scaling to customers.
Cheap
Your project should be cheap and preferably free to start. You shouldn't be spending money on tools and infrastructure if you don't have customers yet. It should avoid a flat cost, or have a generous free tier. You should aim to make your project self-sustaining, with the goal of avoiding any recurring costs upfront and finding services that scale with you.
Opinionated
Your project should be opinionated. This means that the tooling should be designed to work together, and the project should be designed to work with the tooling. This is important for reducing friction and increasing productivity.
Modern
Your project should be modern. This means that the tooling should be actively maintained, and the project should be designed to take advantage of the latest features. This is important for reducing technical debt and increasing longevity. This doesn't mean you should use bleeding edge or experimental tooling, but instead should use the latest stable versions of modern tools with healthy communities and long-term support.
Safe
Your project should be safe. Practically, this means end-to-end type safety, securely handling secrets and using platforms that offer robust security posture.
Key Features at a Glance
Here’s what you get out-of-the-box:
- ✅ Full-stack Next.js app
- ✅ TypeScript + tRPC + Zod
- ✅ PostgreSQL + Drizzle ORM
- ✅ Authentication with Clerk
- ✅ CI/CD setup with GitHub Actions
- ✅ Turbo + Monorepo structure
- ✅ Fully typed API contracts
- ✅ Vercel + Docker support
- ✅ Configured ESLint, Prettier, Husky, Commitlint
How to Get Started
Clone the repo in seconds:
npx create-next-app@latest --example https://github.com/vercel/next-forge
Then just run:
pnpm install
pnpm dev
Boom — your app is live on localhost:3000.
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Real-World Use Cases
Here’s how you can use Next Forge:
- Build a SaaS dashboard with user auth and billing
- Launch a portfolio or landing page with API routes
- Create internal tools for your business
- Scale a monorepo with multiple frontend and backend apps
And the best part? You can deploy instantly to Vercel.
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Is It Right for You?
If you’re:
- A freelancer needing a boilerplate to save time
- A startup looking to scale fast
- A new dev who wants best practices built-in
- A team managing multiple apps in a monorepo
Next Forge is worth a look.
Final Thoughts
We all want to build faster. Smarter. Cleaner.
Next Forge removes the friction. You get modern stack defaults. A battle-tested structure. And the confidence to scale from day one.
Give it a try here: https://www.next-forge.com
Tip for Devs in MENA 🌍
Next Forge is great if you’re targeting GCC markets or building regional apps. Want Arabic support or custom locale logic? No problem — it plays well with Next.js i18n and middleware routing.
Whether you’re building for Kuwait, UAE, Saudi, or beyond — this kit has the foundation you need.
Built by devs. For devs. Backed by Vercel.
🚀 Let’s build something amazing! If you have a project in mind or need help with your next design system, feel free to reach out.
📧 Email: safi.abdulkader@gmail.com | 💻 LinkedIn: @abdulkader-safi | 📱 Instagram: @abdulkader.safi | 🏢 DSRPT
Drop me a line, I’m always happy to collaborate! 🚀
