route-handlers
This skill should be used when the user asks to "create an API route", "add an endpoint", "build a REST API", "handle POST requests", "create route handlers", "stream responses", or needs guidance on Next.js API development in the App Router.
Best use case
route-handlers is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
This skill should be used when the user asks to "create an API route", "add an endpoint", "build a REST API", "handle POST requests", "create route handlers", "stream responses", or needs guidance on Next.js API development in the App Router.
Teams using route-handlers should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/route-handlers/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How route-handlers Compares
| Feature / Agent | route-handlers | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
This skill should be used when the user asks to "create an API route", "add an endpoint", "build a REST API", "handle POST requests", "create route handlers", "stream responses", or needs guidance on Next.js API development in the App Router.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
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SKILL.md Source
# Next.js Route Handlers
## Overview
Route Handlers allow you to create API endpoints using the Web Request and Response APIs. They're defined in `route.ts` files within the `app` directory.
## Basic Structure
### File Convention
Route handlers use `route.ts` (or `route.js`):
```
app/
├── api/
│ ├── users/
│ │ └── route.ts # /api/users
│ └── posts/
│ ├── route.ts # /api/posts
│ └── [id]/
│ └── route.ts # /api/posts/:id
```
### HTTP Methods
Export functions named after HTTP methods:
```tsx
// app/api/users/route.ts
import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'
export async function GET() {
const users = await db.user.findMany()
return NextResponse.json(users)
}
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const body = await request.json()
const user = await db.user.create({ data: body })
return NextResponse.json(user, { status: 201 })
}
```
Supported methods: `GET`, `POST`, `PUT`, `PATCH`, `DELETE`, `HEAD`, `OPTIONS`
## Request Handling
### Reading Request Body
```tsx
export async function POST(request: Request) {
// JSON body
const json = await request.json()
// Form data
const formData = await request.formData()
const name = formData.get('name')
// Text body
const text = await request.text()
return NextResponse.json({ received: true })
}
```
### URL Parameters
Dynamic route parameters:
```tsx
// app/api/posts/[id]/route.ts
interface RouteContext {
params: Promise<{ id: string }>
}
export async function GET(
request: Request,
context: RouteContext
) {
const { id } = await context.params
const post = await db.post.findUnique({ where: { id } })
if (!post) {
return NextResponse.json(
{ error: 'Not found' },
{ status: 404 }
)
}
return NextResponse.json(post)
}
```
### Query Parameters
```tsx
export async function GET(request: Request) {
const { searchParams } = new URL(request.url)
const page = searchParams.get('page') ?? '1'
const limit = searchParams.get('limit') ?? '10'
const posts = await db.post.findMany({
skip: (parseInt(page) - 1) * parseInt(limit),
take: parseInt(limit),
})
return NextResponse.json(posts)
}
```
### Request Headers
```tsx
export async function GET(request: Request) {
const authHeader = request.headers.get('authorization')
if (!authHeader?.startsWith('Bearer ')) {
return NextResponse.json(
{ error: 'Unauthorized' },
{ status: 401 }
)
}
const token = authHeader.split(' ')[1]
// Validate token...
return NextResponse.json({ authenticated: true })
}
```
## Response Handling
### JSON Response
```tsx
import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'
export async function GET() {
return NextResponse.json(
{ message: 'Hello' },
{ status: 200 }
)
}
```
### Setting Headers
```tsx
export async function GET() {
return NextResponse.json(
{ data: 'value' },
{
headers: {
'Cache-Control': 'max-age=3600',
'X-Custom-Header': 'custom-value',
},
}
)
}
```
### Setting Cookies
```tsx
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const cookieStore = await cookies()
// Set cookie
cookieStore.set('session', 'abc123', {
httpOnly: true,
secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
sameSite: 'lax',
maxAge: 60 * 60 * 24 * 7, // 1 week
})
return NextResponse.json({ success: true })
}
```
### Redirects
```tsx
import { redirect } from 'next/navigation'
import { NextResponse } from 'next/server'
export async function GET() {
// Option 1: redirect function (throws)
redirect('/login')
// Option 2: NextResponse.redirect
return NextResponse.redirect(new URL('/login', request.url))
}
```
## Streaming Responses
### Text Streaming
```tsx
export async function GET() {
const encoder = new TextEncoder()
const stream = new ReadableStream({
async start(controller) {
for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
controller.enqueue(encoder.encode(`data: ${i}\n\n`))
await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 100))
}
controller.close()
},
})
return new Response(stream, {
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'text/event-stream',
'Cache-Control': 'no-cache',
'Connection': 'keep-alive',
},
})
}
```
### AI/LLM Streaming
```tsx
export async function POST(request: Request) {
const { prompt } = await request.json()
const response = await openai.chat.completions.create({
model: 'gpt-4',
messages: [{ role: 'user', content: prompt }],
stream: true,
})
const stream = new ReadableStream({
async start(controller) {
for await (const chunk of response) {
const text = chunk.choices[0]?.delta?.content || ''
controller.enqueue(new TextEncoder().encode(text))
}
controller.close()
},
})
return new Response(stream, {
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' },
})
}
```
## CORS Configuration
```tsx
export async function OPTIONS() {
return new Response(null, {
status: 204,
headers: {
'Access-Control-Allow-Origin': '*',
'Access-Control-Allow-Methods': 'GET, POST, PUT, DELETE',
'Access-Control-Allow-Headers': 'Content-Type, Authorization',
},
})
}
export async function GET() {
return NextResponse.json(
{ data: 'value' },
{
headers: {
'Access-Control-Allow-Origin': '*',
},
}
)
}
```
## Caching
### Static (Default for GET)
```tsx
// Cached by default
export async function GET() {
const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
return NextResponse.json(await data.json())
}
```
### Opt-out of Caching
```tsx
export const dynamic = 'force-dynamic'
export async function GET() {
// Always fresh
}
// Or use cookies/headers (auto opts out)
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'
export async function GET() {
const cookieStore = await cookies()
// Now dynamic
}
```
## Error Handling
```tsx
export async function GET(request: Request) {
try {
const data = await riskyOperation()
return NextResponse.json(data)
} catch (error) {
console.error('API Error:', error)
if (error instanceof ValidationError) {
return NextResponse.json(
{ error: error.message },
{ status: 400 }
)
}
return NextResponse.json(
{ error: 'Internal Server Error' },
{ status: 500 }
)
}
}
```
## Resources
For detailed patterns, see:
- `references/http-methods.md` - Complete HTTP method guide
- `references/streaming-responses.md` - Advanced streaming patterns
- `examples/crud-api.md` - Full CRUD API exampleRelated Skills
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soft-screening-startup
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explain-equity-terms
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