Free · Self-Paced · Real Working Code

Next.js Full-Stack.
5 Days. Zero Cost.

The fastest path from "I heard about Next.js" to a deployed full-stack app with a database, authentication, and AI features. No filler. Just the parts that matter.

Free forever · No credit card · No spam

app/api/chat/route.ts
import Anthropic from '@anthropic-ai/sdk'
import { db } from '@/lib/db'

export async function POST(req: Request) {
  const { message, userId } = await req.json()
  const client = new Anthropic()

  const response = await client.messages.create({
    model: 'claude-opus-4-5',
    messages: [{ role: 'user', content: message }]
  })

  await db.chat.create({ data: { userId, message } })
  return Response.json({ reply: response.content[0].text })
5
Days to Deploy
0
Prerequisites
App Router
Latest Patterns
AI + DB
Full Stack

Most Next.js courses end before the interesting parts.

This one starts with the interesting parts. By Day 3 you have a real database. By Day 4 you have auth. By Day 5 you've deployed an app with AI features.

App Router from Day 1

No old pages directory. We use the current App Router architecture with React Server Components — the way Next.js is actually built today.

Real Database Included

Day 3 adds Prisma and PostgreSQL. You'll write real queries, not just mock data. By Day 5 your app actually persists user data.

Auth + AI on Day 4 & 5

NextAuth handles user login. Then you add Claude API integration so your app has real AI features — not a toy demo, a working feature.

Five days. One deployed full-stack app.

Each day builds directly on the last. Ship to Vercel on Day 5.

1
Day

Next.js Fundamentals — Pages, Routing, Layouts

Install Next.js, understand the App Router, create pages and nested routes, build shared layouts with nav and footer. By end of day you have a multi-page site running locally.

App RouterFile-based routingLayoutsComponents 60–75 min
2
Day

Server Components and Data Fetching

Understand the server/client boundary. Fetch data in server components, pass to client. Use loading states and suspense. Build a page that fetches and displays live data.

Server Componentsasync/awaitloading.tsxSuspense 60–75 min
3
Day

API Routes and Database with Prisma + PostgreSQL

Build REST API routes with Route Handlers. Add Prisma ORM and connect to a PostgreSQL database. Run migrations, define a schema, write your first real queries.

Route HandlersPrisma ORMPostgreSQLMigrations 75–90 min
4
Day

Authentication with NextAuth

Add user authentication with NextAuth.js. Configure OAuth providers, protect routes with middleware, store sessions, and build a user profile page that reads from the database.

NextAuth.jsOAuthMiddlewareSessions 75–90 min
5
Day

Deploy to Vercel with AI Features

Add an AI-powered feature using the Claude API. Deploy the full app to Vercel with environment variables and a production database. Your app is live by end of day.

Vercel deployClaude APIEnv varsProduction DB 90–120 min

Start Day 1 right now.

Enter your email and we'll send you a link to Day 1 plus reminders to keep you on track.

Next.js Full-Stack — Free 5-Day Course

All 5 days free. Forever. No paywall.

No spam. No credit card. Or just go straight to Day 1.

For developers ready to build real apps, not just components.

React Developers

You know React components but haven't done the backend side. This course fills that gap — routing, databases, auth, and deployment in one place.

Frontend Builders

You've built landing pages and UI. Now you want to add a real backend — API routes, a database, and user logins — without learning an entirely separate framework.

Indie Hackers

You want to ship a SaaS or side project. Next.js + Vercel is the fastest stack to go from idea to live URL with real user accounts.

Ready to Go Deeper?

Finish the free course. Then join the live bootcamp.

Three days of intensive, hands-on AI training. Build production systems with real data, real APIs, and a cohort of peers. $1,490 all-in. Coming to 5 cities in October 2026.

DenverLos AngelesNew York CityChicagoDallas

Questions

Do I need to know React first?

Basic React helps but isn't required. Day 1 covers the Next.js mental model, and we explain JSX patterns as we go. If you've written any JavaScript, you can follow along.

Which version of Next.js does this use?

Next.js 14+ with the App Router. We don't cover the old Pages Router — there's no reason to learn it if you're starting fresh in 2026.

What database does Day 3 use?

PostgreSQL via Prisma ORM. We use Neon (free tier) for a cloud Postgres database so you don't need to install anything locally on Day 3.

Is Vercel free for deployment?

Yes. Vercel's free tier is more than enough for everything in this course. You can deploy unlimited personal projects for free.