After experimenting with various frameworks and tools, I’ve settled on a stack that just works: Next.js, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS. Here’s why.
Next.js: The Full Package
Next.js handles the complicated stuff so I can focus on building:
- File-based routing means I don’t need to configure URL patterns
- Server-side rendering makes sites fast and SEO-friendly out of the box
- API routes let me build backends without a separate server
- Automatic optimization handles images, fonts, and scripts
For a solo developer or small team, it’s remarkably powerful.
TypeScript: My Safety Net
I used to think TypeScript was overkill for small projects. I was wrong.
TypeScript catches mistakes before I run my code. Missing a property on an object? The editor tells me immediately. Changed an API response format? I know everywhere that might break.
It’s not about being fancy — it’s about confidence. When I’m shipping code to production, I want the compiler on my side.
Tailwind CSS: Finally Enjoying Styling
I used to dread CSS. It was either too verbose or too fragile. Tailwind changed that.
Instead of switching between HTML and CSS files, I style inline. The utility classes (p-4, bg-blue-500, flex, justify-between) become natural over time.
The real win? Consistency. My color palette, spacing, and typography are unified across the entire site without maintaining a separate design system.
Putting It Together
Here’s what building looks like now:
- Create a page file in the
app/folder - Define my data types (TypeScript)
- Build the UI with Tailwind classes
- Deploy with Vercel or Cloudflare Pages
No boilerplate. No configuration headaches. Just building.
Is This Stack Right for You?
I’d recommend this stack if you:
- Want to ship quickly without sacrificing quality
- Prefer type safety and fewer runtime errors
- Like clean, readable code
- Are building web apps, blogs, or marketing sites
It’s not perfect for every use case — heavy real-time apps might need something else. But for 90% of what I build? This is my go-to.