From Idea to Reality: Building a-Nextjs-5s-SaaS-Starter-Kit-Lite

Heisenberg 2025 年 1 月 20 日

Lite version of the Makerkit SaaS Starter Kit based on Next.js and Supabase

nextjs saas starter-kit lite makerkit supabase typescript tailwindcss turborepo shadcn-ui i18n user-authentication responsive-design playwright technology-stack web-development monorepo schema-validation data-fetching end-to-end-testing production-features

Built by wanghaisheng | Last updated: 20250120

11 minutes 56 seconds read

Project Genesis

As a developer, I’ve always been fascinated by the potential of SaaS applications to transform industries and streamline processes. However, the journey from concept to launch can often feel like navigating a labyrinth. I remember the countless hours spent wrestling with architecture decisions, setting up databases, and ensuring everything was seamlessly integrated. It was during one of these late-night coding sessions that the spark for the Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite) was ignited. I envisioned a solution that would empower developers like myself to kickstart their SaaS projects without getting bogged down by the nitty-gritty details.

My motivation for creating this starter kit stemmed from my own experiences—frustrations with existing solutions that were either too complex or lacked the essential features needed for a solid foundation. I wanted to build something that not only simplified the process but also provided a robust framework to build upon. The initial challenges were daunting: how could I create a lightweight yet powerful tool that would cater to both seasoned developers and newcomers alike?

After countless iterations and feedback from fellow developers, I’m thrilled to introduce the Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite). This kit is designed to help you hit the ground running with a modern stack that includes Next.js 15, Supabase, and TailwindCSS. It’s not just about getting started; it’s about building a production-grade application with confidence. So, whether you’re looking to launch your next big idea or simply want to experiment with the latest technologies, this starter kit is your gateway to a faster, more efficient development process. Let’s dive in and explore how you can leverage this powerful tool to bring your SaaS vision to life!

From Idea to Implementation

1. Initial Research and Planning

The journey of developing the Makerkit - Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite) began with extensive research into the current landscape of SaaS development frameworks and tools. The goal was to create a starter kit that would enable developers to quickly and efficiently build their own SaaS applications without having to start from scratch.

During the initial phase, the team analyzed existing solutions, identifying common pain points such as complex setup processes, lack of documentation, and insufficient support for modern development practices. The research highlighted the need for a streamlined, user-friendly starter kit that incorporated popular technologies and best practices in web development.

The planning phase involved defining the core features and functionalities that the starter kit would offer. The team aimed to provide a solid foundation that included user authentication, responsive design, and a modular architecture that would allow for easy customization and scalability. This phase also included discussions about the target audience, which primarily consisted of developers looking to prototype SaaS applications quickly.

2. Technical Decisions and Their Rationale

The technical decisions made during the development of the Makerkit were driven by the desire to leverage modern technologies that promote efficiency, maintainability, and scalability. The choice of Next.js 15 as the framework was based on its robust capabilities for server-side rendering and static site generation, which are essential for building performant web applications.

Supabase was selected as the backend solution due to its ease of use and real-time capabilities, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than managing infrastructure. The integration of Tailwind CSS was a strategic decision to enable rapid UI development with a utility-first approach, making it easier for developers to create custom designs without the overhead of writing extensive CSS.

The use of TypeScript was another critical decision, as it enhances code quality and maintainability through static typing. This choice aligns with the goal of providing a production-grade architecture that developers can trust. Additionally, the inclusion of tools like ESLint and Prettier ensures that the codebase remains clean and consistent, further supporting long-term maintainability.

3. Alternative Approaches Considered

Throughout the development process, the team considered several alternative approaches. One option was to use a more traditional monolithic architecture, but this was quickly dismissed in favor of a monorepo structure. The monorepo approach allows for better organization of code, easier management of shared components, and streamlined collaboration among team members.

Another alternative was to use a different backend solution, such as Firebase or a custom Node.js server. However, Supabase’s real-time capabilities and built-in authentication features made it a more attractive choice for the starter kit. The team also explored various UI frameworks but ultimately settled on Tailwind CSS due to its flexibility and the growing popularity within the developer community.

4. Key Insights That Shaped the Project

Several key insights emerged during the development of the Makerkit that significantly shaped the project. One of the most important was the realization that developers value simplicity and speed in their workflows. This insight drove the decision to create a lightweight version of the starter kit that focuses on essential features, allowing users to quickly evaluate the architecture and adapt it to their needs.

Another insight was the importance of documentation and community support. The team recognized that providing clear, comprehensive documentation would be crucial for helping users get started and troubleshoot issues. This led to the decision to prioritize documentation updates alongside the development of the kit itself.

Finally, the team learned that fostering a sense of community among users could enhance the overall experience. By encouraging feedback and contributions, the project could evolve based on real user needs, ensuring that it remains relevant and valuable in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

Conclusion

The journey from concept to code for the Makerkit - Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite) was marked by thorough research, thoughtful technical decisions, and a commitment to simplicity and usability. By focusing on modern technologies and best practices, the team aimed to create a starter kit that empowers developers to build their SaaS applications efficiently and effectively. The insights gained throughout the process will continue to inform future iterations and enhancements of the project, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the developer community.

Under the Hood

Technical Deep-Dive: Makerkit - Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite)

1. Architecture Decisions

The Makerkit SaaS Starter Kit adopts a monorepo architecture to streamline the development process and enhance code organization. This approach allows for better management of shared components and features across multiple applications within the same repository. The project structure is divided into two main directories:

apps/: Contains the main applications, including the Next.js application.
packages/: Houses shared libraries and features, promoting code reuse and modularity.

Project Structure

apps/
├── web/                  # Next.js application
│   ├── app/             # App Router pages
│   │   ├── (marketing)/ # Public marketing pages
│   │   ├── auth/        # Authentication pages
│   │   └── home/        # Protected app pages
│   ├── supabase/        # Database & migrations
│   └── config/          # App configuration
│
packages/
├── ui/                  # Shared UI components
└── features/           # Core feature packages
    ├── auth/           # Authentication logic
    └── ...

This structure allows developers to easily navigate the codebase, understand the relationships between components, and maintain a clean separation of concerns.

2. Key Technologies Used

The Makerkit Starter Kit leverages a modern tech stack that includes:

Next.js 15: A React-based framework that supports server-side rendering and static site generation, enhancing performance and SEO.
Supabase: A real-time database that provides authentication and storage solutions, simplifying backend development.
Tailwind CSS: A utility-first CSS framework that allows for rapid UI development with a focus on customization.
Turborepo: A tool for managing monorepos, enabling efficient builds and dependency management.
TypeScript: A superset of JavaScript that adds static typing, improving code quality and maintainability.

Example of TypeScript Usage

The kit is fully configured with TypeScript, ESLint, and Prettier, ensuring a consistent coding style and reducing runtime errors. For instance, a simple user authentication function might look like this:

import { supabase } from '../supabaseClient';

export const signIn = async (email: string, password: string): Promise<void> => {
  const { user, error } = await supabase.auth.signIn({ email, password });
  if (error) throw new Error(error.message);
  console.log('User signed in:', user);
};

3. Interesting Implementation Details

User Authentication Flow

The authentication flow is managed through Supabase, which simplifies the process of user management. The authentication pages are located in the apps/web/app/auth directory, while the logic is encapsulated in the @kit/auth package. This separation allows for easy reuse of authentication logic across different applications.

Internationalization (i18n)

The kit includes built-in support for internationalization using the i18next library. This feature allows developers to easily manage translations for different languages, enhancing the accessibility of the SaaS application. The i18n setup is integrated into both the client and server, ensuring a seamless experience for users.

Responsive Design

Using Tailwind CSS, the kit provides a responsive design out of the box. The marketing pages, located in apps/web/app/(marketing), are designed to adapt to various screen sizes, ensuring a consistent user experience across devices.

4. Technical Challenges Overcome

Managing State with React Query

One of the challenges in building a SaaS application is managing data fetching and caching efficiently. The kit utilizes React Query to handle server state management, which simplifies data fetching and synchronization with the server. This library provides hooks for fetching, caching, and updating data, reducing the need for boilerplate code.

Example of Data Fetching with React Query

Here’s an example of how to fetch user data using React Query:

import { useQuery } from 'react-query';
import { supabase } from '../supabaseClient';

export const useUserData = (userId: string) => {
  return useQuery(['user', userId], async () => {
    const { data, error } = await supabase
      .from('users')
      .select('*')
      .eq('id', userId);
    if (error) throw new Error(error.message);
    return data;
  });
};

Handling Migrations with Supabase

Managing database migrations can be complex, especially in a collaborative environment. The kit provides a streamlined process for creating and applying migrations using the Supabase CLI. Developers can create new migrations with a simple command:

pnpm --filter web supabase migration new --name <migration-name>

This command generates a new migration file, allowing

Lessons from the Trenches

Here are some key technical lessons learned, what worked well, what could be done differently, and advice for others based on the project history and README of the Makerkit - Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite):

Key Technical Lessons Learned

Monorepo Structure: Utilizing a monorepo with Turborepo allowed for better organization of the codebase. It facilitated the separation of concerns, making it easier to manage shared components and features across different applications.
TypeScript Integration: The comprehensive TypeScript setup helped catch errors early in the development process. It also improved code readability and maintainability, making it easier for new developers to onboard.
Supabase for Authentication: Implementing Supabase for user authentication simplified the process of managing user sessions and database interactions. The built-in features of Supabase, such as real-time capabilities and easy integration, were beneficial.
Responsive Design with TailwindCSS: Using TailwindCSS for styling allowed for rapid development of responsive and customizable UI components. The utility-first approach made it easy to implement design changes without extensive CSS modifications.
Internationalization (i18n): Integrating i18next for translations provided a straightforward way to manage multiple languages, which is crucial for SaaS applications targeting diverse user bases.

What Worked Well

Clear Documentation: The README provided clear instructions for setup and usage, which helped streamline the onboarding process for new developers. Including commands for common tasks (like starting Supabase and running the Next.js app) was particularly useful.
Feature Modularity: The separation of features into packages (e.g., @kit/auth) allowed for reusability and easier testing. This modular approach made it simple to extend functionality without affecting the core application.
Testing Setup: The inclusion of Playwright for end-to-end testing ensured that the application could be tested thoroughly, which is essential for maintaining quality in production.
Active Maintenance: Regular updates and active maintenance of the kit instilled confidence in developers using the starter kit, knowing that they would receive support and improvements over time.

What You’d Do Differently

More Comprehensive Examples: While the README provided a good overview, including more detailed examples or a demo application could help users better understand how to implement specific features.
Enhanced Error Handling: Implementing more robust error handling and user feedback mechanisms could improve the user experience, especially during authentication and data fetching processes.
Automated Deployment Instructions: Providing automated deployment scripts or CI/CD configurations for popular platforms (like Vercel or Netlify) could simplify the deployment process for users.
Community Engagement: Encouraging community contributions and providing a clearer path for users to report issues or suggest features could foster a more active user base and improve the kit over time.

Advice for Others

Start Small: If you’re new to building SaaS applications, start with the Lite version to understand the architecture and features before moving to the full version. This approach allows for gradual learning and reduces overwhelm.
Leverage Documentation: Always refer to the documentation for setup and troubleshooting. Good documentation can save a lot of time and frustration.
Experiment with Customization: Don’t hesitate to customize the components and features to fit your specific needs. The modular nature of the kit allows for easy modifications.
Engage with the Community: Join forums or communities related to the technologies used (Next.js, Supabase, etc.) to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others.
Prioritize Testing: Implement testing early in the development process. It’s easier to catch and fix issues when they arise rather than after deployment.

By following these insights and advice, developers can effectively utilize the Makerkit - Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite) to build robust SaaS applications.

What’s Next?

Conclusion

As we wrap up this phase of the Next.js Supabase SaaS Starter Kit (Lite), we are excited to share the current status and future direction of this project. The Lite version is fully functional, providing a solid foundation for developers looking to kickstart their SaaS applications with a modern tech stack. With Next.js 15, Supabase, and TailwindCSS, this starter kit is designed to streamline the development process, allowing you to focus on building your product rather than getting bogged down in setup.

Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for the future. We aim to enhance the documentation to provide clearer guidance and examples, making it easier for new users to get started. Additionally, we are exploring the integration of more advanced features that will bridge the gap between the Lite and full versions, such as improved testing setups and enhanced user management capabilities. Your feedback and contributions will be invaluable in shaping these developments.

We invite all developers, designers, and enthusiasts to join us on this journey. Whether you have ideas for new features, want to report bugs, or simply wish to improve the existing codebase, your contributions are welcome! Please open an issue to discuss your ideas before submitting a pull request. Together, we can make this starter kit even more robust and user-friendly.

In closing, this side project has been a rewarding experience, showcasing the power of collaboration and community-driven development. We hope that this starter kit serves as a valuable resource for you as you embark on your own SaaS journey. Thank you for being a part of the Makerkit community, and we look forward to seeing what you build with it!

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Repository URL: https://github.com/wanghaisheng/a-nextjs-5s-saas-starter-kit-lite
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编辑整理： Heisenberg 更新日期：2025 年 1 月 20 日