It’s not just you, Next.js is getting harder to use

Next.js Middleware has sparked discussions about its usefulness in sidestepping limitations of server components and concerns regarding the developer experience with the App Router. The App Router, introduced in Next.js 13, brought features like Server Components, Layouts, and advanced caching, but also increased complexity compared to its predecessor, the Pages Router, known for simplicity and intuitive API routes. Developers face challenges in understanding and applying new features, such as accessing URLs in Server Components and managing caching, which can inadvertently lead to dynamic rendering. While these enhancements offer benefits for specific applications like e-commerce by optimizing data loads and page rendering times, they may pose unnecessary complexity for other use cases, such as B2B SaaS applications, where development speed is prioritized. The article critiques the App Router's premature recommendation for production use and highlights the broader trend of frameworks growing more complex as they aim to cater to demanding customers, suggesting that developers should carefully consider their project's needs before adopting the App Router.

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