10 Common Next.js 16 App Router Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

// ============================================
// Mistake 1: fetch() Stopped Caching by Default in Next.js 15/16
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: No cache directive ----
// This makes a fresh HTTP request on EVERY render
// In Next.js 14 this was cached — in Next.js 15/16 it is NOT

async function getProducts() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/products')
  return res.json()
}

// ---- CORRECT: Explicit cache directive ----
// Option A: Cache permanently (static data)
async function getProductsCached() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/products', {
    cache: 'force-cache',
  })
  return res.json()
}

// Option B: Time-based revalidation (revalidate every hour)
async function getProductsRevalidated() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/products', {
    next: { revalidate: 3600 },
  })
  return res.json()
}

// Option C: On-demand revalidation (revalidate when you call revalidateTag)
async function getProductsTagged() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/products', {
    next: { tags: ['products'] },
  })
  return res.json()
}

// Then revalidate on demand:
// import { revalidateTag } from 'next/cache'
// revalidateTag('products')

// Option D: Never cache (always fresh — for user-specific data)
async function getUserProfile() {
  const res = await fetch('https://api.example.com/profile', {
    cache: 'no-store',
  })
  return res.json()
}

// ---- Production impact of missing cache directive ----
// Without caching:
//   - Every page load triggers an API call
//   - API rate limits are hit faster
//   - Page load time increases (network latency on every request)
//   - ISR revalidation is effectively useless
//   - Server costs increase from redundant compute

// ============================================
// Mistake 2: Non-Serializable Props Across Server-Client Boundary
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: Passing a function from Server to Client ----
// This throws: "Functions cannot be passed to Client Components"

// app/page.tsx (Server Component)
import { ProductCard } from '@/components/product-card'

export default async function ProductsPage() {
  const products = await getProducts()

  function handleAddToCart(productId: string) {
    // This function cannot be passed to a Client Component
    console.log('Added', productId)
  }

  return (
    <div>
      {products.map((product) => (
        <ProductCard
          key={product.id}
          product={product}
          onAddToCart={handleAddToCart} // ERROR: function is not serializable
        />
      ))}
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- CORRECT: Use a Server Action (the loophole) ----
// Server Actions are serializable references and CAN be passed
// app/actions.ts
'use server'

export async function addToCart(productId: string) {
  // Server Action — runs on the server
  // Can be called from Client Components
  console.log('Added', productId)
}

// components/product-card.tsx
'use client'

import { addToCart } from '@/app/actions'

export function ProductCard({ product }: { product: Product }) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h3>{product.name}</h3>
      <button onClick={() => addToCart(product.id)}>
        Add to Cart
      </button>
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- WRONG: Passing Date object ----
// Date serializes to ISO string — loses prototype methods

// Server Component
export default async function Page() {
  const event = await getEvent()
  return <EventCard date={event.date} /> // event.date is a Date object
}

// Client Component
'use client'

export function EventCard({ date }: { date: Date }) {
  // date.toRelative() may not work — prototype methods lost
  // date instanceof Date is false after serialization
  return <p>{date.toLocaleDateString()}</p>
}

// ---- CORRECT: Pass ISO string, reconstruct on client ----

// Server Component
export default async function Page() {
  const event = await getEvent()
  return <EventCard date={event.date.toISOString()} />
}

// Client Component
'use client'

export function EventCard({ date }: { date: string }) {
  const dateObj = new Date(date)
  return <p>{dateObj.toLocaleDateString()}</p>
}

// ---- WRONG: Passing Map or Set ----
// Map serializes to {} — all data is lost

// Server Component
export default async function Page() {
  const map = new Map([['key', 'value']])
  return <Display data={map} /> // ERROR: Map serializes to {}
}

// ---- CORRECT: Convert to plain object ----

// Server Component
export default async function Page() {
  const map = new Map([['key', 'value']])
  const plain = Object.fromEntries(map)
  return <Display data={plain} />
}

// ---- WRONG: Passing class instance ----
// Class instances lose their methods after serialization

class Calculator {
  add(a: number, b: number) { return a + b }
}

// Server Component
export default async function Page() {
  const calc = new Calculator()
  return <CalcDisplay calc={calc} /> // ERROR: methods are lost
}

// ---- CORRECT: Pass data, not instances ----
// Move the logic to the Client Component or use a Server Action

// ============================================
// Mistake 3: Missing or Misplaced 'use server' Directive
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: 'use server' not the first statement ----
// This file has a comment before the directive — it is ignored

// File: app/actions.ts
// This is my server actions file
'use server' // ERROR: not the first statement — directive is ignored

export async function createPost(title: string) {
  // This runs on the client, not the server
  // Database calls fail because the client cannot access the DB
}

// ---- CORRECT: 'use server' as the first statement (comments allowed) ----
// File: app/actions.ts
// Comments are allowed before the directive
'use server'

import { prisma } from '@/lib/db'

export async function createPost(title: string) {
  // This runs on the server — DB access works
  return prisma.post.create({ data: { title } })
}

// ---- WRONG: 'use server' after function ----
export async function deletePost(id: string) {
  'use server' // ERROR: must be the FIRST statement of the function body
  return prisma.post.delete({ where: { id } })
}

// ---- CORRECT: 'use server' as first statement of function body ----
export async function deletePost(id: string) {
  'use server'
  const prisma = (await import('@/lib/db')).prisma
  return prisma.post.delete({ where: { id } })
}

// ---- WRONG: Passing non-async function as Server Action ----
// Server Actions must be async functions

'use server'

export function createPostSync(title: string) {
  // ERROR: Server Actions must be async
  return prisma.post.create({ data: { title } })
}

// ---- CORRECT: Async function ----
'use server'

export async function createPostAsync(title: string) {
  return prisma.post.create({ data: { title } })
}

// ---- WRONG: Server Action with non-serializable parameters ----
// FormData is serializable — but Map, Set, class instances are not

'use server'

export async function processData(data: Map<string, string>) {
  // ERROR: Map is not serializable from FormData
}

// ---- CORRECT: Accept FormData or serializable types ----
'use server'

export async function processData(formData: FormData) {
  const title = formData.get('title') as string
  const content = formData.get('content') as string
  // Process serializable data
}

// ---- Server Action with return value ----
// Return values must also be serializable

'use server'

export async function getPost(id: string) {
  const post = await prisma.post.findUnique({ where: { id } })
  return post // Plain object — serializable
  // Do NOT return functions, class instances, or React elements
}

// ============================================
// Mistake 4: Wrong Router Import in App Router
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: Pages Router import in App Router ----
// This import path does not exist in App Router context

'use client'

import { useRouter } from 'next/router' // ERROR: Pages Router only

export function LoginForm() {
  const router = useRouter()

  async function handleLogin() {
    await login()
    router.push('/dashboard') // This may throw or be undefined
  }

  return <button onClick={handleLogin}>Login</button>
}

// ---- CORRECT: App Router imports ----

'use client'

import { useRouter, usePathname, useSearchParams } from 'next/navigation'

export function LoginForm() {
  const router = useRouter()
  const pathname = usePathname()
  const searchParams = useSearchParams()

  async function handleLogin() {
    await login()
    router.push('/dashboard')
  }

  return <button onClick={handleLogin}>Login</button>
}

// ---- API Differences ----

// Pages Router useRouter (next/router):
// - router.push(url)        — navigate
// - router.replace(url)     — navigate without history
// - router.back()           — go back
// - router.query            — URL query params (object)
// - router.asPath           — current path with query string
// - router.isReady          — true when router is initialized
// - router.pathname         — current path without query

// App Router useRouter (next/navigation):
// - router.push(url)        — navigate
// - router.replace(url)     — navigate without history
// - router.refresh()        — refresh current page (no full reload)
// - router.back()           — go back
// - router.forward()        — go forward
// - router.prefetch(url)    — prefetch a route
// - NO query, NO asPath, NO isReady

// ---- Getting query params in App Router ----
// Pages Router: const { id } = useRouter().query
// App Router: use useSearchParams() hook

'use client'

import { useSearchParams } from 'next/navigation'

export function ProductPage() {
  const searchParams = useSearchParams()
  const id = searchParams.get('id') // Get single param
  const sort = searchParams.get('sort') // Get single param

  // Get all params
  const allParams = Object.fromEntries(searchParams.entries())

  return <div>Product ID: {id}</div>
}

// ---- Getting path params in App Router ----
// Pages Router: useRouter().query (mixed with query params)
// App Router: useParams() hook or page props

'use client'

import { useParams } from 'next/navigation'

export function ProductPage() {
  const params = useParams()
  // params.id comes from app/products/[id]/page.tsx
  return <div>Product ID: {params.id}</div>
}

// ---- Or use page props directly (Server Component) ----
// app/products/[id]/page.tsx

export default async function ProductPage({
  params,
}: {
  params: Promise<{ id: string }>
}) {
  const { id } = await params
  return <div>Product ID: {id}</div>
}

// ============================================
// Mistake 5: useEffect in Layouts Fires Only Once
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: Page view tracking in layout ----
// This fires only on the FIRST page load — not on navigation

// app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx
'use client'

import { useEffect } from 'react'
import { usePathname } from 'next/navigation'

export default function DashboardLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  const pathname = usePathname()

  useEffect(() => {
    // This fires only on initial mount — NOT on navigation
    // Page views are not tracked after the first page
    analytics.track('page_view', { path: pathname })
  }, []) // Empty dependency array — fires once

  return <div>{children}</div>
}

// ---- CORRECT: Track page views with pathname dependency ----
// The layout persists, but pathname changes — use it as dependency

// app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx
'use client'

import { useEffect } from 'react'
import { usePathname } from 'next/navigation'

export default function DashboardLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  const pathname = usePathname()

  useEffect(() => {
    // This fires on EVERY pathname change
    analytics.track('page_view', { path: pathname })
  }, [pathname]) // pathname is the dependency

  return <div>{children}</div>
}

// ---- WRONG: Resetting form state in layout ----
// Layout persists — form state is not reset on navigation

// app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx
'use client'

import { useState } from 'react'

export default function DashboardLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  const [formData, setFormData] = useState({ name: '', email: '' })

  // This state persists across navigations
  // User navigates away and back — form data is still filled

  return <div>{children}</div>
}

// ---- CORRECT: Use key prop or reset in page component ----
// Reset form state in the page component, not the layout

// app/(dashboard)/settings/page.tsx
'use client'

import { useState, useEffect } from 'react'
import { usePathname } from 'next/navigation'

export default function SettingsPage() {
  const [formData, setFormData] = useState({ name: '', email: '' })

  // Reset form when the page mounts
  // Pages DO re-mount on navigation (unlike layouts)
  useEffect(() => {
    setFormData({ name: '', email: '' })
  }, [])

  return (
    <form>
      <input
        value={formData.name}
        onChange={(e) => setFormData({ ...formData, name: e.target.value })}
      />
    </form>
  )
}

// ---- Alternative: Use key prop to force re-mount ----
// app/(dashboard)/layout.tsx
'use client'

import { usePathname } from 'next/navigation'

export default function DashboardLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  const pathname = usePathname()

  return (
    <div>
      {/* key forces re-mount when pathname changes */}
      <div key={pathname}>{children}</div>
    </div>
  )
}

// ============================================
// Mistake 6: Browser APIs in Server Components
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: Direct window access in Server Component ----
// This throws: ReferenceError: window is not defined

// app/page.tsx (Server Component — no 'use client')
export default function HomePage() {
  const width = window.innerWidth // ERROR: window is not defined on server
  return <div>Window width: {width}</div>
}

// ---- WRONG: localStorage in Server Component ----
export default function HomePage() {
  const theme = localStorage.getItem('theme') // ERROR
  return <div>Theme: {theme}</div>
}

// ---- WRONG: document in Server Component ----
export default function HomePage() {
  const title = document.title // ERROR
  return <div>Title: {title}</div>
}

// ---- WRONG: Library that accesses browser APIs at import time ----
// Some libraries check window during module initialization

// app/page.tsx
import { SomeChartLibrary } from 'react-chart-lib' // ERROR if library accesses window

export default function ChartPage() {
  return <SomeChartLibrary data={data} />
}

// ---- CORRECT: Move to Client Component ----
// components/window-width.tsx
'use client'

import { useState, useEffect } from 'react'

export function WindowWidth() {
  const [width, setWidth] = useState(0)

  useEffect(() => {
    // useEffect runs only on the client — window is available
    setWidth(window.innerWidth)

    const handleResize = () => setWidth(window.innerWidth)
    window.addEventListener('resize', handleResize)
    return () => window.removeEventListener('resize', handleResize)
  }, [])

  return <div>Window width: {width}</div>
}

// app/page.tsx (Server Component)
import { WindowWidth } from '@/components/window-width'

export default function HomePage() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Home</h1>
      <WindowWidth /> {/* Client Component — accesses window safely */}
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- CORRECT: Dynamic import with ssr: false ----
// For libraries that must access browser APIs at import time

// app/page.tsx
import dynamic from 'next/dynamic'

const SomeChartLibrary = dynamic(
  () => import('react-chart-lib').then((mod) => mod.SomeChartLibrary),
  { ssr: false, loading: () => <div>Loading chart...</div> }
)

export default function ChartPage() {
  return <SomeChartLibrary data={data} />
}

// ---- CORRECT: Conditional access with typeof check ----
// For utility functions that may run on server or client

function getTheme(): string {
  if (typeof window === 'undefined') {
    return 'light' // Server default
  }
  return localStorage.getItem('theme') ?? 'light'
}

// ---- CORRECT: Read cookies/headers in Server Component instead ----
// Server Components CAN access cookies and headers

import { cookies, headers } from 'next/headers'

export default async function HomePage() {
  const cookieStore = await cookies()
  const theme = cookieStore.get('theme')?.value ?? 'light'

  const headersList = await headers()
  const userAgent = headersList.get('user-agent')

  return <div>Theme: {theme}, UA: {userAgent}</div>
}

// ============================================
// Mistake 7: Incorrect next/image Usage
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: No width/height and no fill ----
// Image renders with zero dimensions

import Image from 'next/image'

export function ProductCard() {
  return (
    <Image
      src="/product.jpg"
      alt="Product"
      // ERROR: missing width, height, or fill
    />
  )
}

// ---- CORRECT: Fixed size with width and height ----
export function ProductCard() {
  return (
    <Image
      src="/product.jpg"
      alt="Product"
      width={400}
      height={300}
      className="rounded-lg"
    />
  )
}

// ---- CORRECT: Responsive with fill ----
// Parent must have position: relative

export function ProductCard() {
  return (
    <div className="relative h-64 w-full">
      <Image
        src="/product.jpg"
        alt="Product"
        fill
        className="object-cover rounded-lg"
      />
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- WRONG: External image without domain config ----
// This throws: Invalid src prop on next/image

export function Avatar() {
  return (
    <Image
      src="https://cdn.example.com/avatar.jpg"
      alt="Avatar"
      width={100}
      height={100}
      // ERROR: cdn.example.com is not configured
    />
  )
}

// ---- CORRECT: Configure remotePatterns in next.config ----
// next.config.ts

import type { NextConfig } from 'next'

const nextConfig: NextConfig = {
  images: {
    remotePatterns: [
      {
        protocol: 'https',
        hostname: 'cdn.example.com',
        pathname: '/**',
      },
      {
        protocol: 'https',
        hostname: '*.supabase.co',
        pathname: '/storage/v1/object/public/**',
      },
    ],
  },
}

export default nextConfig

// ---- WRONG: Using regular <img> tag ----
// Loses: automatic optimization, lazy loading, responsive sizing,
// WebP/AVIF conversion, blur placeholder

export function Hero() {
  return <img src="/hero.jpg" alt="Hero" /> // Works but unoptimized
}

// ---- CORRECT: Use next/image ----
export function Hero() {
  return (
    <Image
      src="/hero.jpg"
      alt="Hero"
      width={1200}
      height={600}
      priority // Load immediately — skip lazy loading
      placeholder="blur" // Show blur placeholder while loading
      blurDataURL="data:image/jpeg;base64,..." // Base64 blur image
    />
  )
}

// ---- Using sizes prop for responsive images ----
// Without sizes, the browser downloads the largest variant

export function ProductGrid() {
  return (
    <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3">
      {products.map((product) => (
        <Image
          key={product.id}
          src={product.image}
          alt={product.name}
          fill
          sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1200px) 50vw, 33vw"
          className="object-cover"
        />
      ))}
    </div>
  )
}

// ============================================
// Mistake 8: Middleware Runs on Static Assets
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: No matcher — middleware runs on EVERYTHING ----
// File: middleware.ts

import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'
import type { NextRequest } from 'next/server'

export function middleware(request: NextRequest) {
  // This runs on:
  //   /dashboard (intended)
  //   /api/users (intended)
  //   /_next/static/chunks/main.js (unintended — adds latency)
  //   /_next/image?url=... (unintended — adds latency)
  //   /favicon.ico (unintended)
  //   /images/logo.png (unintended)

  // Each static asset request adds 5-50ms of middleware overhead
  // A page with 20 static assets adds 100ms-1s of total latency

  return NextResponse.next()
}

// ---- CORRECT: Matcher excludes static assets and API routes (if they handle their own auth) ----

export function middleware(request: NextRequest) {
  // This runs only on matched routes
  return NextResponse.next()
}

export const config = {
  matcher: [
    /*
     * Match all request paths except:
     * - api (API routes handle their own auth)
     * - _next/static (static files)
     * - _next/image (image optimization)
     * - favicon.ico (favicon)
     * - Static file extensions (images, fonts, etc.)
     */
    '/((?!api|_next/static|_next/image|favicon.ico|.*\.(?:svg|png|jpg|jpeg|gif|webp)$).*)',
  ],
}

// ---- Matcher for specific routes only ----
// If middleware only needs to protect certain routes

export const configSpecific = {
  matcher: ['/dashboard/:path*', '/settings/:path*', '/admin/:path*'],
}

// ---- Performance impact measurement ----
// Without matcher:
//   - 50 static assets per page = 50 middleware invocations
//   - Average middleware latency: 10ms
//   - Total added latency: 500ms
//
// With matcher:
//   - 1 page request = 1 middleware invocation
//   - Total added latency: 10ms
//   - Improvement: 490ms (98% reduction)

// ============================================
// Mistake 9: Misconfigured Suspense Boundaries
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: No Suspense boundary ----
// The entire page blocks on the slowest fetch

// app/dashboard/page.tsx
export default async function DashboardPage() {
  // Both fetches must complete before ANY content is shown
  const [stats, activity, notifications] = await Promise.all([
    getStats(),        // 200ms
    getActivity(),     // 500ms
    getNotifications() // 1500ms ← slowest — blocks everything
  ])

  return (
    <div>
      <StatsPanel data={stats} />
      <ActivityFeed data={activity} />
      <Notifications data={notifications} />
    </div>
  )
  // User sees nothing for 1.5 seconds — then everything appears at once
}

// ---- CORRECT: Suspense boundaries for independent sections ----
// Each section loads independently — user sees content progressively

// app/dashboard/page.tsx
import { Suspense } from 'react'

export default function DashboardPage() {
  return (
    <div>
      <Suspense fallback={<StatsPanelSkeleton />}>
        <StatsPanel /> {/* Fetches independently — 200ms */}
      </Suspense>

      <Suspense fallback={<ActivityFeedSkeleton />}>
        <ActivityFeed /> {/* Fetches independently — 500ms */}
      </Suspense>

      <Suspense fallback={<NotificationsSkeleton />}>
        <Notifications /> {/* Fetches independently — 1500ms */}
      </Suspense>
    </div>
  )
  // Stats appear at 200ms, activity at 500ms, notifications at 1500ms
}

// components/stats-panel.tsx
async function StatsPanel() {
  const stats = await getStats() // 200ms
  return <div>{/* render stats */}</div>
}

// ---- WRONG: Wrapping everything in one Suspense ----
// This is equivalent to having no Suspense — the slowest blocks all

export default function DashboardPage() {
  return (
    <Suspense fallback={<PageSkeleton />}>
      <StatsPanel />
      <ActivityFeed />
      <Notifications />
    </Suspense>
  )
  // Fallback shows until ALL three resolve — same as no Suspense
}

// ---- CORRECT: Nested Suspense for different loading priorities ----
// Critical content loads first, secondary content loads later

export default function DashboardPage() {
  return (
    <div>
      {/* Critical: always show immediately */}
      <Header />

      {/* Primary content: show skeleton while loading */}
      <Suspense fallback={<StatsPanelSkeleton />}>
        <StatsPanel />
      </Suspense>

      {/* Secondary content: nested Suspense for fine-grained control */}
      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
        <Suspense fallback={<ActivityFeedSkeleton />}>
          <ActivityFeed />
        </Suspense>

        <Suspense fallback={<NotificationsSkeleton />}>
          <Notifications />
        </Suspense>
      </div>
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- loading.tsx: Automatic Suspense for page segments ----
// app/dashboard/loading.tsx
// This file creates an automatic Suspense boundary for the page

export default function DashboardLoading() {
  return <div className="animate-pulse">Loading dashboard...</div>
}

// ---- error.tsx: Error boundary for page segments ----
// app/dashboard/error.tsx
'use client'

export default function DashboardError({
  error,
  reset,
}: {
  error: Error & { digest?: string }
  reset: () => void
}) {
  return (
    <div>
      <h2>Something went wrong</h2>
      <button onClick={() => reset()}>Try again</button>
    </div>
  )
}

// ============================================
// Mistake 10: params and searchParams Are Now Promises
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: Synchronous destructuring (Next.js 14 and earlier) ----
// This breaks in Next.js 15/16

// app/products/[id]/page.tsx
export default function ProductPage({
  params,
  searchParams,
}: {
  params: { id: string }
  searchParams: { tab?: string }
}) {
  const id = params.id // ERROR: params is now a Promise
  const tab = searchParams.tab
  return <div>Product {id}</div>
}

// ---- CORRECT: Await the Promise (Next.js 15/16) ----

export default async function ProductPage({
  params,
  searchParams,
}: {
  params: Promise<{ id: string }>
  searchParams: Promise<{ tab?: string }>
}) {
  const { id } = await params
  const { tab } = await searchParams

  return <div>Product {id} — Tab: {tab}</div>
}

// ---- WRONG: In layout.tsx (same rule applies) ----
// app/[slug]/layout.tsx
export default function Layout({
  params,
}: {
  params: { slug: string }
}) {
  const slug = params.slug // ERROR
}

// ---- CORRECT: Await in layout (layouts can be async) ----
export default async function Layout({
  params,
}: {
  params: Promise<{ slug: string }>
}) {
  const { slug } = await params
  return <div>Layout for {slug}</div>
}

// ---- Production impact ----
// Without await: params.id is undefined or the whole object is a Promise
// Page renders with wrong data or crashes on .id access

// ============================================
// Mistake 11: Missing or Misconfigured Error Boundaries
// ============================================

// ---- WRONG: No error.tsx anywhere ----
// An unhandled error crashes the entire app
// User sees: blank page, raw stack trace, or browser error

// app/dashboard/page.tsx
export default async function DashboardPage() {
  const stats = await getStats() // If this throws, the entire page crashes
  return <div>{stats.total}</div>
}

// ---- CORRECT: error.tsx at each route segment ----
// File: app/dashboard/error.tsx
'use client'

export default function DashboardError({
  error,
  reset,
}: {
  error: Error & { digest?: string }
  reset: () => void
}) {
  // error.message — the error message
  // error.digest — unique error ID for logging
  // reset() — retry the render

  return (
    <div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center p-8">
      <h2 className="text-xl font-bold">Dashboard Error</h2>
      <p className="text-muted-foreground mt-2">
        Something went wrong loading the dashboard.
      </p>
      <button
        onClick={reset}
        className="mt-4 rounded bg-primary px-4 py-2 text-primary-foreground"
      >
        Try Again
      </button>
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- WRONG: error.tsx without 'use client' ----
// error.tsx MUST be a Client Component

// app/dashboard/error.tsx
export default function DashboardError({ error, reset }) {
  // ERROR: error.tsx must have 'use client' directive
  // Server Components cannot receive interactive props like reset
  return <div>Error</div>
}

// ---- CORRECT: Granular error boundaries per segment ----

// app/layout.tsx — Root error boundary (catches unhandled errors)
// app/error.tsx — catches errors in all child routes

// app/dashboard/error.tsx — catches errors in dashboard and its children
// app/dashboard/settings/error.tsx — catches errors in settings specifically
// app/dashboard/analytics/error.tsx — catches errors in analytics specifically

// ---- Global error boundary for root layout errors ----
// File: app/global-error.tsx
// Catches errors in the root layout itself
// Must include <html> and <body> tags

'use client'

export default function GlobalError({
  error,
  reset,
}: {
  error: Error & { digest?: string }
  reset: () => void
}) {
  return (
    <html>
      <body>
        <div className="flex min-h-screen items-center justify-center">
          <div className="text-center">
            <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold">Something went wrong</h2>
            <p className="text-muted-foreground mt-2">
              An unexpected error occurred. Error ID: {error.digest}
            </p>
            <button
              onClick={reset}
              className="mt-4 rounded bg-primary px-4 py-2 text-primary-foreground"
            >
              Reload Application
            </button>
          </div>
        </div>
      </body>
    </html>
  )
}

// ---- not-found.tsx: Handle 404s ----
// File: app/dashboard/not-found.tsx

export default function DashboardNotFound() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h2>Dashboard Not Found</h2>
      <p>The requested dashboard does not exist.</p>
    </div>
  )
}

// Trigger a 404 from a Server Component:
import { notFound } from 'next/navigation'

export default async function DashboardPage({
  params,
}: {
  params: Promise<{ id: string }>
}) {
  const { id } = await params
  const dashboard = await getDashboard(id)

  if (!dashboard) {
    notFound() // Renders the nearest not-found.tsx
  }

  return <div>{dashboard.name}</div>
}