What is Blitz.js? Features, Pros, Cons, Installation & FAQs

If you’ve ever wished for a full-stack React framework that feels like Ruby on Rails but works in the modern JavaScript world, Blitz.js might be your new best friend. Think of it as Next.js on steroids – it keeps all the good parts of Next.js while adding powerful tools for building full-fledged apps faster.

Let’s explore what Blitz.js is, what makes it special, how to install it step by step, and answer some beginner FAQs.

What is Blitz.js?

Blitz.js is a full-stack framework for React that’s built on top of Next.js. It’s designed to give developers everything they need in one package—frontend, backend, database, authentication, and even code scaffolding.

If you’ve used Next.js, you already know the basics. But Blitz takes it further by removing a lot of the repetitive tasks and giving you a “batteries-included” experience.

Key Features of Blitz.js

Below are some features that make Blitz.js shine,

• Full-stack in one place: No need to separately set up frontend and backend projects.
• Zero-API Data Layer: You don’t have to manually write API routes. Your functions can be called directly from the frontend.
• Authentication out of the box: User signup, login, and sessions are already baked in.
• Code scaffolding: Quickly generate pages, forms, and CRUD with simple commands.
• Prisma integration: Works beautifully with Prisma ORM for database management.
• Next.js compatible: You still have SSR (Server-Side Rendering), SSG (Static Site Generation), and all the Next.js features you love.

Advantages of Blitz.js

• Saves tons of setup time for full-stack apps.
• Great developer experience with code generation tools.
• Built-in auth and session management.
• Perfect for startups and MVPs (Minimum Viable Products).
• Uses popular tools like Next.js and Prisma.

Disadvantages of Blitz.js

• Community is still small compared to Next.js.
• Might feel opinionated for some developers.
• Updates are not as frequent as bigger frameworks.
• Overkill if you just need a static site or simple frontend.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide for Blitz.js

Let’s go from scratch and install Blitz.js together.

Step 1: Install Node.js

Make sure you have Node.js v16 or later installed. You can check with:

If not installed, download from nodejs.org.

Step 2: Create a New Blitz.js App

Run the following command in your terminal:

It will ask you a few setup questions. Choose the options you prefer (default is fine for beginners).

Step 3: Navigate to Your Project

Step 4: Install Dependencies

Blitz will install dependencies automatically, but if needed:

Step 5: Run the Development Server

Now visit http://localhost:3000 in your browser, and boom, your Blitz app is running.

Step 6: Explore Authentication

Blitz comes with user login and signup flows out of the box. You’ll already see the auth pages in your project.

Conclusion