How we migrated from CRA to Next.js AppRouter in 5 pull requests

Description and use

Migrated a CRA app to Next.js AppRouter in five pull requests, improving routing and server‑side rendering.

Problem

The team needed to replace Create React App (CRA) with Next.js AppRouter to improve routing, performance, and deployment flexibility.

Outcome

The migration was completed in five pull requests, resulting in a more maintainable codebase with server‑side rendering and simplified routing.

Workflow

• 1. Created a new Next.js 14 project with the AppRouter structure.
• 2. Moved existing pages and components into the new app directory, adjusting imports.
• 3. Replaced react-router routes with file‑based routes and added layout files.
• 4. Updated API calls to use Next.js API routes where needed.
• 5. Tested locally, fixed minor build errors, and merged changes in five pull requests.

Evidence

How we migrated from CRA to Next.js AppRouter in 5 pull requests

Source