How We Built Our Next.js Boilerplate with Tailwind and Shadcn UI

1 year ago, I was working with Next.js and experimenting with building fast and efficient UIs. During this time, I realized that I needed a robust starter template that would allow me to quickly prototype projects while still offering flexibility and customization. So, I began working on my first boilerplate, designed specifically for Next.js, React, Tailwind CSS, and Shadcn UI.

I initially started small, focusing on creating a reusable template for personal projects. But after receiving positive feedback from developers in the community, I decided to refine the idea and build something more comprehensive. After months of development and iteration, my boilerplate had evolved into a powerful foundation for any Next.js project, with a focus on ease of use, performance, and scalability.

Why This Boilerplate?

In modern web development, developers are constantly looking for ways to optimize their workflow. There are countless frameworks, libraries, and tools available, but it can be overwhelming to integrate them seamlessly. The beauty of this boilerplate lies in its simplicity. It combines the best aspects of Next.js, React, Tailwind CSS, and Shadcn UI in one package, allowing developers to focus on building great products instead of spending hours setting up their environment.

With this setup, you get a blazing-fast development experience, minimal configuration, and a fully responsive UI out of the box. I’ve also included best practices for SEO, authentication, and state management, so you're not reinventing the wheel every time you start a new project.

What Makes It Stand Out?

There are plenty of boilerplates out there, so what makes this one different? Here’s why our Next.js boilerplate stands out:

• Tailwind CSS Integration: Pre-configured Tailwind setup for fast styling with utility classes. No more wrestling with custom stylesheets.
• Shadcn UI Components: Beautifully designed UI components that are easy to customize and extend.
• SEO and Performance Optimized: Built-in optimizations for better load times and search engine visibility.
• Supabase Integration: Ready-to-use authentication and database connection for rapid SaaS development.
• Responsive by Default: Ensures your site looks great on all devices without any additional configuration.

The Journey

When I started this project, I knew I wanted something that wasn’t just a quick hack but a tool that developers could rely on for production-level apps. This meant making sure that everything from routing to authentication was rock-solid.

By leveraging Next.js App Router and React Server Components, I could provide a more modular and efficient architecture, allowing for cleaner and faster code. I also wanted the setup to be as intuitive as possible, which is why I’ve included clear documentation and demo projects to guide developers.

Custom UI Components

One of the most fun aspects of building this boilerplate was creating the custom UI components with Shadcn UI and Radix UI. The design system we developed uses CSS variables to make the UI highly customizable without being overly complex. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a sleek, modern UI without spending too much time on design.

The Shadcn-inspired components also provide powerful functionality while remaining accessible and lightweight, making them perfect for any modern web app.

CI/CD and Documentation

I’ve also invested time in ensuring the deployment process is as seamless as possible. The entire release process is automated using Changesets and GitHub actions, ensuring that new updates are published with minimal friction.

Additionally, documentation is something I take seriously. I’ve crafted clear and concise guides for every feature of the boilerplate, ensuring that developers of all levels can easily navigate through the codebase.

Future Roadmap

As the project continues to grow, I have exciting plans for the future. Some of the features on the roadmap include:

• More UI components: Expanding the library to include more commonly used patterns.
• E-commerce integrations: Adding out-of-the-box support for payment gateways like Stripe.
• Multitenancy support: Making it easier to manage multiple projects or clients within a single app instance.
• Improved accessibility: Ensuring the boilerplate follows best practices for accessibility, so your site can be used by as many people as possible.

Final Thoughts

I’m thrilled by the positive reception the boilerplate has received so far. It’s been an amazing experience building something that is now being used by developers across the globe to kickstart their Next.js projects.

If you’re looking for a fast and reliable foundation for your next React app, check out our Next.js Boilerplate. It’s the tool I wish I had when I started developing, and I’m confident it can help you build better, faster.