Build an App from Scratch with Nuxt | Mintbean

Anthony Campolo demonstrates how to create a Nuxt.js app from scratch, covering project setup, routing, and deployment to Netlify.

Episode Summary

In this tutorial, Anthony Campolo walks through the process of building and deploying a Nuxt.js application from scratch. He covers creating a new Nuxt project using the command line interface, explaining the project structure and key concepts like pages and layouts. Anthony demonstrates how to create routes by adding new files to the pages directory, and shows how to customize the default template. He then guides viewers through setting up a GitHub repository for the project and deploying it to Netlify, highlighting the simplicity of the deployment process. Throughout the tutorial, Anthony discusses the benefits of using Nuxt.js, including built-in routing, server-side rendering capabilities, and improved SEO. He also touches on more advanced topics like state management and the ecosystem surrounding Nuxt and Vue.js. The session concludes with a Q&A where Anthony addresses questions about Nuxt’s advantages over vanilla Vue.js, security considerations, and compatibility with Vue 3.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Project Setup

Anthony introduces the topic and begins setting up a new Nuxt.js project using the command line interface. He walks through the various configuration options, explaining each choice and its implications for the project. This chapter covers the initial steps of creating a Nuxt.js application, including selecting JavaScript as the programming language, choosing not to use any CSS frameworks or additional tools, and opting for universal mode with static deployment. Anthony emphasizes the simplicity of the setup process and how Nuxt.js provides a solid foundation for building Vue.js applications.

02:56 - Project Structure and Creating Pages

Anthony explores the structure of a Nuxt.js project, focusing on the pages directory and how it relates to routing. He demonstrates how to create new pages by adding .vue files to the pages folder, explaining how Nuxt.js automatically generates routes based on the file structure. Anthony shows how to customize the default template, add links between pages, and create a basic layout that wraps all pages. This section highlights the intuitive nature of Nuxt.js routing and how it simplifies the development process compared to manually setting up routes in a standard Vue.js application.

10:11 - Git Setup and GitHub Repository Creation

Anthony guides viewers through initializing a Git repository for the project and creating a corresponding GitHub repository. He covers basic Git commands like git add, git commit, and git push, explaining their purpose in the development workflow. This chapter also touches on best practices, such as using descriptive commit messages and changing the default branch name from “master” to “main” for inclusivity. By the end of this section, viewers have a clear understanding of how to version control their Nuxt.js project and prepare it for deployment.

18:54 - Deployment to Netlify

This chapter focuses on deploying the Nuxt.js application to Netlify, a popular platform for hosting static and server-rendered websites. Anthony walks through creating a netlify.toml configuration file, which specifies the build commands and output directory for the project. He then demonstrates how to connect the GitHub repository to Netlify, configure build settings, and trigger the initial deployment. Anthony explains the build process, highlighting how Netlify handles the complexities of modern JavaScript toolchains. The chapter concludes with setting up a custom domain on Netlify and viewing the live website.

34:41 - Q&A Session and Advanced Topics

In the final chapter, Anthony engages in a Q&A session with the audience, addressing more advanced topics and clarifying concepts introduced earlier. He discusses the benefits of using Nuxt.js over vanilla Vue.js, including built-in routing, improved SEO through server-side rendering, and the robust ecosystem surrounding the framework. Anthony touches on state management options, security considerations for static sites, and the current state of Vue 3 compatibility with Nuxt.js. This chapter provides valuable insights into real-world usage of Nuxt.js and considerations for choosing it for enterprise-grade applications.