From Zero to Hero: Getting Started with Graphql, Strapi and Next.js 16 Part 1

This comprehensive guide serves as the first part of a four-part series focused on building applications using GraphQL, Strapi v5, and Next.js 16, targeting developers proficient in Node.js and TypeScript. It offers a step-by-step walkthrough of creating a Strapi project, installing the GraphQL plugin, and exploring the auto-generated queries and mutations available through Strapi's Shadow CRUD feature. The guide explains how to set up and configure a Strapi project, including granting permissions and publishing example data, before diving into customizations such as adding computed fields and custom queries using Nexus, and implementing plugin limits for production-readiness. It emphasizes the advantages of GraphQL's flexible response shaping and single-request data retrieval over REST, while also detailing the setup of a scalable project structure for future enhancements. This foundational setup prepares developers for advanced backend customizations, client-side integration with Next.js, and the implementation of user authentication and authorization in subsequent parts of the series.