Deploying Next.js to the Edge: A Complete Guide

Edge computing has fundamentally changed how we think about deploying web applications. Instead of serving all requests from a single data center, edge runtimes execute your code in dozens of locations worldwide, dramatically reducing latency for users everywhere.

Why Deploy to the Edge?

The traditional server model routes every request to a single region. A user in Tokyo hitting a server in Virginia experiences 150-200ms of network latency before your application even starts processing. Edge deployment eliminates this by running your code within 50ms of virtually every user on the planet.

• Sub-50ms response times globally, regardless of user location
• Automatic failover between regions with zero configuration
• Cost reduction through efficient resource utilization
• Better SEO scores from improved Core Web Vitals

Setting Up Your Next.js App

The first step is configuring your next.config.js to use the edge runtime. Next.js 14+ makes this straightforward with the runtime configuration option. You can set it globally or on a per-route basis for maximum flexibility.

For API routes that need edge performance, add the runtime export to each route handler. Database queries work seamlessly with edge-compatible drivers like Neon’s serverless PostgreSQL adapter or PlanetScale’s HTTP-based driver.

Deployment Best Practices

When deploying to the edge, keep your function bundles small. The edge runtime has a 1MB limit for most providers, so heavy dependencies should be avoided. Use streaming responses for large payloads and implement proper caching strategies with Cache-Control headers.

Monitor your edge functions carefully during the first few days. Watch for cold start times, memory usage, and any region-specific issues. CloudNest’s built-in observability dashboard makes this effortless with real-time metrics across all 40+ regions.

The future of web deployment is at the edge, and the tools available today make it accessible to every developer regardless of team size.