Reducing local dev time by 83%: Why we migrated off Next.js

Inngest prioritized developer experience (DX) and embarked on a migration from Next.js to Tanstack Start due to challenges with cognitive overhead and slow load times in their existing framework. Initially adopting Next.js for its promise of eliminating blank loading states and providing streaming and nested layouts, the team found its workflow, optimized for dedicated frontend teams, to be cumbersome for their multi-role engineers. Attempts to improve performance with Turbopack and Next.js upgrades were insufficient, prompting the exploration of alternatives like Deno Fresh and React Router. Ultimately, Tanstack Start was chosen for its clear conventions and alignment with the team's previous positive experiences with Tanstack products. The migration process involved a direct transition, with AI assisting in conversion tasks, resulting in significantly improved local load times and developer satisfaction. The project, largely completed by one engineer, was relatively quick and painless, demonstrating the impact of prioritizing a streamlined DX.