Hemant Bhatt
Stop re-writing stuff: Adopt this Next.js optimized Starter Shell
Introduction
Every developer knows the feeling. You have a brilliant idea for a new project. The excitement is real. You crack your knuckles, fire up your terminal, and then... spend the next three hours setting up the same base layout shell you've configured a dozen times before. (If you listen closely, you can hear your soul sigh.)
The Problem
Starting a new project should be the fun part. Instead, we find ourselves wrestling with configuration files, setting up themes that don't break when users dare to switch away from dark mode, and creating responsive sidebar/appbar layouts that actually work on every device, from grandma's phone to your ultrawide monitor.
The irony? We're all solving the same problems, over and over again. It's like déjà vu, but with more tailwind.
Enter the Next.js Starter Shell
This is a carefully crafted foundation that handles the mundane stuff so you can focus on what actually matters—building your product (and maybe sipping your coffee while you do it).
This shell comes with everything you'd expect from a starter kit. Dark mode that doesn't make your users squint? Check.
A responsive sidebar/appbar that gracefully transforms into a mobile-friendly navigation? Check.
A starter design system to enforce standard so that your components don't look like they were written months apart? Check!
What Makes This Different
This shell provides a complete design system, optimized performance patterns, and the kind of polish that usually takes few tries to implement.
The magic lies in the simplicity:
- Three core files.
- Four dependencies (which will come in use throughout your project).
- Zero headaches.
See It In Action
Desktop Experience
Trays for settings and profile. Dark and light mode.
Mobile Experience
Touch-optimized navigation that transforms beautifully from desktop sidebar to mobile-friendly interface.
Beyond the Basics
The shell includes patterns that developers often discover only after shipping a few projects. Server-rendered children components for optimal performance. Proper theme switching that doesn't flash white screens at your dark-mode users. A responsive design system that works on everything from phones to ultrawide monitors. (Yes, even that one weird device your QA team found.)
These aren't revolutionary concepts, but they're the small and easy details that separate professional applications from weekend projects. And also from that one app you built at 2am and never spoke of again.
Getting Started (The Easy Way)
The beauty of this approach is in its simplicity. Clone the repository and get started right away.
1 # Clone the starter shell 2 git clone https://github.com/zen-op/nextjs-starter-shell.git 3 4 # Navigate to your project 5 cd nextjs-starter-shell 6 7 # Install dependencies 8 npm install 9 10 # Start developing 11 npm run dev
Or, if you already have a project, just grab those three core files mentioned in the github readme and integrate them into your existing project.
Ready to try it?
Check out the live preview at startershell.inksh.in or dive straight into the code.