Routing & Navigation Interview Questions
Comprehensive routing & navigation interview questions and answers for Next.js. Prepare for your next job interview with expert guidance.
Questions Overview
1. What are the differences between App Router and Pages Router in Next.js?
Basic2. How do you create basic routes in Next.js?
Basic3. What are dynamic routes in Next.js?
Basic4. How do you handle client-side navigation?
Basic5. What is the useRouter hook?
Basic6. How do you create nested routes?
Basic7. What are route groups in Next.js?
Basic8. How do you handle 404 pages?
Basic9. What is parallel routing in Next.js?
Basic10. How do you handle route parameters?
Basic11. How do you implement route interceptors?
Moderate12. How do you handle route loading states?
Moderate13. How do you implement route middleware?
Moderate14. How do you handle route transitions?
Moderate15. How do you implement route protection?
Moderate16. How do you handle route prefetching?
Moderate17. How do you implement route rewriting?
Moderate18. How do you handle route redirects?
Moderate19. How do you implement route optimization?
Moderate20. How do you handle internationalized routing?
Advanced21. How do you implement dynamic route patterns?
Advanced22. How do you handle route state persistence?
Advanced23. How do you implement route caching strategies?
Advanced24. How do you handle complex route layouts?
Advanced25. How do you implement route error boundaries?
Advanced26. How do you handle route code splitting?
Advanced27. How do you implement route analytics?
Advanced28. How do you handle route testing?
Advanced29. How do you implement route documentation?
Advanced1. What are the differences between App Router and Pages Router in Next.js?
BasicApp Router is newer, uses app directory, supports React Server Components, nested layouts, and improved routing patterns. Pages Router uses pages directory, is simpler but lacks some modern features like server components.
2. How do you create basic routes in Next.js?
BasicIn App Router, create routes by adding page.js files in app directory. In Pages Router, add files to pages directory. File names become URL paths. For example, app/about/page.js becomes /about route.
3. What are dynamic routes in Next.js?
BasicDynamic routes use square brackets for variable segments. Example: [id]/page.js creates dynamic route. Parameters accessible via params prop in page components. Supports catch-all routes using [...slug].
4. How do you handle client-side navigation?
BasicUse Link component for client-side navigation. Example: <Link href='/about'>About</Link>. Provides automatic code-splitting and prefetching. Supports dynamic routes and parameters.
5. What is the useRouter hook?
BasicuseRouter hook provides access to router object for programmatic navigation, route information, and parameters. Example: const router = useRouter(); router.push('/route'). Available in client components.
6. How do you create nested routes?
BasicCreate nested directories in app or pages folder. Each level can have its own page.js or layout.js. Supports nested layouts and shared UI. URLs reflect directory structure.
7. What are route groups in Next.js?
BasicRoute groups use (groupName) syntax in app directory. Don't affect URL structure. Share layouts within groups. Organize routes logically. Support multiple groups.
8. How do you handle 404 pages?
BasicCreate not-found.js in app directory or 404.js in pages directory. Automatically shown for non-existent routes. Can be customized with own content and styling.
9. What is parallel routing in Next.js?
BasicParallel routing allows simultaneous loading of multiple pages in same layout using @folder convention. Supports independent loading states and error handling for each route.
10. How do you handle route parameters?
BasicAccess route parameters through params prop in page components or searchParams for query strings. Available in both server and client components. Support type safety with TypeScript.
11. How do you implement route interceptors?
ModerateRoute interceptors use (.) convention in App Router. Intercept routes while preserving context. Handle overlays and modals. Support soft navigation.
12. How do you handle route loading states?
ModerateCreate loading.js files for automatic loading UI. Support Suspense boundaries. Handle streaming and progressive rendering. Implement custom loading indicators.
13. How do you implement route middleware?
ModerateCreate middleware.ts in project root. Handle route protection, redirects, headers. Support conditional execution. Implement custom middleware logic.
14. How do you handle route transitions?
ModerateImplement custom transition effects using hooks and components. Handle loading states. Support animation libraries. Manage transition state.
15. How do you implement route protection?
ModerateUse middleware or page components for authentication checks. Handle redirects. Support role-based access. Implement protection strategies.
16. How do you handle route prefetching?
ModerateControl prefetching with prefetch prop on Link component. Implement custom prefetch logic. Handle data preloading. Support performance optimization.
17. How do you implement route rewriting?
ModerateConfigure rewrites in next.config.js. Handle URL transformation. Support pattern matching. Implement rewrite conditions.
18. How do you handle route redirects?
ModerateConfigure redirects in next.config.js or use redirect helper. Handle permanent/temporary redirects. Support redirect conditions. Implement redirect chains.
19. How do you implement route optimization?
ModerateOptimize route performance through code splitting, prefetching, caching. Handle route priorities. Implement optimization strategies.
20. How do you handle internationalized routing?
AdvancedImplement i18n routing using middleware and configuration. Handle language detection. Support URL patterns. Implement locale switching.
21. How do you implement dynamic route patterns?
AdvancedCreate complex dynamic routes with optional catches, multiple parameters. Handle route constraints. Support pattern matching. Implement route validation.
22. How do you handle route state persistence?
AdvancedImplement state persistence across route changes. Handle navigation state. Support history management. Implement state restoration.
23. How do you implement route caching strategies?
AdvancedCreate custom caching for route data. Handle cache invalidation. Support dynamic caching. Implement cache strategies.
24. How do you handle complex route layouts?
AdvancedImplement nested and parallel layouts. Handle layout groups. Support template inheritance. Implement layout patterns.
25. How do you implement route error boundaries?
AdvancedCreate error boundaries for route segments. Handle error recovery. Support fallback content. Implement error reporting.
26. How do you handle route code splitting?
AdvancedImplement advanced code splitting strategies. Handle dynamic imports. Support chunk optimization. Implement loading priorities.
27. How do you implement route analytics?
AdvancedTrack route navigation and performance metrics. Handle analytics integration. Support custom events. Implement tracking strategies.
28. How do you handle route testing?
AdvancedImplement comprehensive route testing. Handle navigation testing. Support integration tests. Implement test utilities.
29. How do you implement route documentation?
AdvancedCreate detailed route documentation. Generate API documentation. Support example usage. Implement documentation updates.