How to Create a Next.js App with create-next-app

The fastest way to start a Next.js project is create-next-app, the official scaffolding CLI. It generates a ready-to-run app with TypeScript, ESLint, Tailwind CSS, the App Router, and Turbopack already configured, so the only thing left is writing your first page.

Run this in the folder where you want the project:

bash

npx create-next-app@latest my-app

Replace my-app with your project name. The CLI asks a few questions, creates a new folder with that name, and installs the dependencies for you.

The prompts you will see

After the project name, create-next-app stops to ask how the project should be configured. The first question is whether to use the recommended defaults or to customize the setup.

text

What is your project named? my-app
Would you like to use the recommended Next.js defaults?
    Yes, use recommended defaults - TypeScript, ESLint, Tailwind CSS, App Router, AGENTS.md
    No, reuse previous settings
    No, customize settings - Choose your own preferences

The recommended setup enables TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, ESLint, the App Router, and Turbopack. It also sets an import alias of @/* and adds an AGENTS.md file that helps coding agents write current Next.js code. Accept the defaults unless you have a specific reason to change one, because each is the value the Next.js team ships with.

If you choose customize settings, you can pick TypeScript or plain JavaScript, choose ESLint, Biome, or no linter, enable the React Compiler, add Tailwind CSS, use a src directory, and adjust the import alias. Each choice only affects the generated files, so you can change any of them later.

Skip the prompts with --yes

For scripts and tutorials, pass the --yes flag to accept saved preferences or the defaults without prompts.

bash

npx create-next-app@latest my-app --yes

This is the version you see in automated guides. Always include a project name so the generated folder is predictable.

Run the app

Move into the new folder and start the dev server:

bash

cd my-app
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:3000. The server starts with Turbopack, the default bundler, and shows the generated landing page with links to the documentation and a starter example. Edit app/page.tsx and save to see the page update immediately without a manual refresh.

Common problems

• Node version. create-next-app needs Node.js 20.9 or newer, so check with node --version first. An old Node install fails during the dependency step.
• Wrong folder. Always cd into the new folder before running the dev server, or npm will not find the project scripts.
• Port in use. If port 3000 is taken, the server picks the next free port and prints the new address in the terminal.

Once the app runs, read Next.js Project Structure Explained to understand the generated folders, or learn the flags in Running the Next.js Dev Server.