Have you ever tried to fix something but couldn’t find the right tool because your tools were scattered everywhere? It would be easier if all your tools were organized in a toolbox, right? That’s exactly what colocation in Next.js does for your code.
What Is Colocation?
Colocation means keeping files that work together in the same folder. Instead of scattering code all over the place, we put related files close together. This makes it easier to find, fix, and update things.
Why Is Colocation Important?
- Easier to Understand: Everything related to a feature is in one place.
- Faster Fixes: You don’t have to hunt around when something breaks.
- Better Organization: Your project stays neat and tidy.
Example of Colocation
Imagine you’re building a page called Contact Us. This page needs a web form, some validation logic, and styles. Instead of putting the styles in one folder, the form logic in another, and the page code somewhere else, you can organize them like this:
/pages/contact/
├── index.js (Contact Us page)
├── ContactForm.js (Form component)
├── validateForm.js (Validation logic)
└── Contact.module.css (Page styles)Now, whenever you need to work on the Contact Us page, everything you need is right there!
When Not to Use Colocation
Sometimes, you have files that many pages use, like a navigation bar or footer. In that case, put those files in a components or shared folder so all pages can use them.
/components/
├── Navbar.js
└── Footer.jsSummary
Colocation is like organizing your tools in a toolbox. When everything is in its place, work becomes easier. Next.js developers love colocation because it keeps projects clean, simple, and easy to work with.