Route Handlers

Route Handlers are API routes in App Router. They live in app/api/.../route.js and return HTTP responses.

Basics

• Located in app/api/.../route.js.
• Server-only execution; secrets, DB, file system available.
• Export HTTP methods: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS.

export async function GET() {
  return Response.json({ status: "ok" });
}

Routing

• app/api/users/route.js → /api/users
• app/api/products/[id]/route.js → /api/products/:id

export function GET(request, { params }) {
  return Response.json({ id: params.id });
}

Runtime

• Node.js runtime or Edge runtime.
• Can use databases, cookies(), headers(), streaming responses.

Caching

• Edge routes are cached by CDN unless disabled.
• Node routes are not cached by default.
• Control via Cache-Control headers.

vs Server Actions

• Route Handlers are HTTP endpoints.
• Server Actions are direct server functions without HTTP.