Overview:

Next.js on Heroku allows you to deploy React-based universal web apps on the Heroku platform with the support of a custom Node/Express server. It enables you to combine a Node API with a Next/React UI and implement custom URL routes seamlessly. Heroku’s command-line tools, a free account, git, Node.js, and Next.js are required for production deployment.

Features:

• Custom Node/Express Server Support: Combine a Node API with a Next/React UI and implement custom URL routes.
• Automated Build Process: Heroku automatically runs npm run build since March 2019, simplifying the deployment process.
• Git Deployment: Supports git push heroku main for deploying changes, providing easy version control.
• Environment Variables: Utilize Heroku config vars within React components via the next.config.js file, allowing dynamic configurations without rebuilding.

Installation:

To deploy a Next.js app on Heroku, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have Heroku’s command-line tools (CLI) installed, a free Heroku account, git, Node.js, and Next.js.
2. Update your npm start script in the package.json to set the web listener $PORT.
3. Make sure your app is a git repo and create a new Heroku app.
4. Deploy your app using git push heroku main.
5. For custom configurations, use the next.config.js file and process environment variables (Heroku config vars) for runtime customization without rebuilding.

Summary:

Next.js on Heroku provides a seamless solution for deploying React-based web apps with a custom Node/Express server. By leveraging Heroku’s automated build process, git deployment, and support for environment variables, developers can easily deploy and configure their Next.js applications for production use on the Heroku platform.