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Setting Up Next.js Blog Kit

A comprehensive guide to creating a powerful blog using Next.js and MDX

Project Information

Type

Blog Framework

Difficulty

Intermediate

Technologies

Next.js, MDX, TailwindCSS

Last Updated

March 2025

Introduction

The Next.js Blog Kit is an open-source, developer-friendly blogging solution built with Next.js, MDX, and modern web technologies. It is designed for speed, SEO optimization, and ease of customization. Whether you are a developer looking for a ready-to-use blog template or a writer seeking a performance-optimized platform, this kit provides everything you need.

Key Features

  • ✅SEO Optimized – Automatic metadata and structured data support.
  • ✅Fast & Performant – Uses Static Site Generation (SSG) and Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR).
  • ✅MDX Support – Enables you to write content in Markdown and use React components inside posts.
  • ✅Flexible Content Management – Supports both local markdown files and external headless CMS platforms.
  • ✅Customizable Design – Built with Tailwind CSS for easy theming and styling.
  • ✅Authentication Ready – Integrates with NextAuth.js for user authentication if needed.

Summary of Installation & Setup Process

We will go through the following steps to set up the Next.js Blog Kit on your local machine:

  1. Clone the Repository & Install Dependencies
  2. Set Up Environment Variables
  3. Run the Development Server
  4. Customize Blog Content & Configuration
  5. Validate Key Functionalities
  6. Deploy the Blog

At each step, we'll include keystone validation points to ensure everything is set up correctly.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Clone the Repository & Install Dependencies

First, open a terminal and run the following command to clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/makerkit/next-blog-kit.git

Navigate into the project folder:

cd next-blog-kit

Next, install the necessary dependencies using npm or yarn:

npm install # or yarn install

✅ Keystone Validation Check

Run the following command to verify that all dependencies were installed correctly:

npm list --depth=0 # or yarn list --depth=0

You should see a list of installed packages without any errors.

Step 2: Set Up Environment Variables

Next, you need to configure environment variables. Rename the .env.example file to .env.local:

cp .env.example .env.local

Open .env.local in a code editor and modify the values based on your requirements. Some common variables include:

NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_NAME="My Awesome Blog"
NEXT_PUBLIC_DEFAULT_AUTHOR="Your Name"
NEXT_PUBLIC_GITHUB_URL="https://github.com/your-profile"

✅ Keystone Validation Check

Run the following command to ensure environment variables are correctly set:

cat .env.local

Ensure that the output displays the correct values.

Step 3: Run the Development Server

Once environment variables are set, start the Next.js development server:

npm run dev # or yarn dev

This should output something like:

Local: http://localhost:3000

✅ Keystone Validation Check

Open http://localhost:3000 in a web browser. You should see the default blog homepage with sample posts.

Step 4: Customize Blog Content & Configuration

4.1 Modify Blog Metadata

Edit the config/site.config.ts file to update site details:

export const siteConfig = {
  name: "My Awesome Blog",
  description: "A blog about tech and coding.",
  url: "https://myblog.com",
  author: "Your Name",
};

4.2 Add Blog Posts

Blog content is stored in the content/posts/ directory as .mdx files. To add a new post, create a file:

touch content/posts/my-first-post.mdx

Open the file and add content:

---
title: "My First Blog Post"
date: "2024-03-30"
author: "Your Name"
summary: "This is my first blog post using Next.js Blog Kit."
image: "/images/my-post-thumbnail.jpg"
---

## Hello World!

This is my first blog post using **MDX**!

✅ Keystone Validation Check

Restart the server (Ctrl + C then npm run dev) and check if the post appears on http://localhost:3000/blog.

Step 5: Deploy the Blog

5.1 Build the Production Version

Run the following command to build the project for production:

npm run build # or yarn build

You should see an output confirming a successful build.

5.2 Deploy to Vercel (Recommended)

If you don't have a Vercel account, create one at vercel.com and install the Vercel CLI:

npm install -g vercel

Then, deploy the project:

vercel

Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your deployment.

✅ Keystone Validation Check

Once deployed, Vercel will provide a live URL (e.g., https://myblog.vercel.app). Open it in your browser and confirm everything is working correctly.

Final Thoughts

Congratulations! 🎉 You've successfully set up and deployed your own Next.js Blog Kit.

Next Steps

  • Customize the blog layout using Tailwind CSS.
  • Integrate a headless CMS like Contentful or Sanity.
  • Implement authentication with NextAuth.js.
  • Optimize SEO settings for better search rankings.

With the Next.js Blog Kit, you have a powerful foundation to build and scale your content platform efficiently. Happy blogging! 🚀

Ready to Build Your Next.js Blog?

Start creating rich, interactive blog content with Next.js and MDX today!