Quick Fix: Create a routing group for your home page by creating a directory with parentheses around it, e.g., (home). Move page.js and layout.js into this directory.
The Problem:
In Next.js 13 with the experimental app directory structure, users can define custom layouts, error pages, loading states, etc., for specific routes. However, there seems to be no clear way to specify these elements uniquely for the home page. While other pages can be organized into folders, the home page content resides in the app directory’s root, making it challenging to separate its specific elements from those shared across the app.
The Solutions:
Solution 1: Routing Groups
NextJS 13 leverages routing groups to define page-specific configurations. To specify a unique directory for the home page:
1. Create a directory within the `app` directory named `(home)` with parentheses around it.
2. Move the `page.js` for the home page into the `(home)` directory.
3. Create a `layout.js` file specific to the home page within the `(home)` directory.
When a user visits the home page, NextJS will prioritize the layout in the /(home) directory over the global layout in the root app directory, creating a unique layout for the home page.
Solution 2: Redirect method
An alternative way is to redirect the home page to a specific folder. Here’s an example:
“`js
// you can also do it in middleware once its available
export default async function Home({ params }) {
redirect('/home');
return
}
“`
Q&A
How to specify a directory for the home page in Nextjs 13 with the app directory file structure?
—
Check out the Nextjs Routing Groups [Nextjs Routing Groups][1].
Another way of doing it?
—
The idea is to have layout and error page in /app directory, and everything else in a routing group.
Lastly?
—
Or simply redirect home page to a specific folder.
Video Explanation:
The following video, titled "Next.js 13 Crash Course | App Directory, React Server Components ...", provides additional insights and in-depth exploration related to the topics discussed in this post.
A complete crash course to NextJS version 13 and it's new features such as the app directory structure, routing, React Server Components vs ...
