Where are API Routes created?

API Routes in Next.js are created inside the project, and the specific location depends on which router is used.

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#Pages Router

If the Pages Router is used, API Routes are created in the folder:

/pages/api

#How this works:

• each file is a separate API endpoint
• the file name becomes part of the URL

Example:

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#App Router (Route Handlers)

In the App Router, API Routes are created in the folder:

/app/api

Inside it, a file is used:

route.ts (or route.js)

#Example structure:

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#Main difference between the approaches

• Pages Router:
  • simpler and older
  • works only through /pages/api
• App Router:
  • the modern approach
  • better integrated with Server Components
  • supports HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.)

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#Where the API Routes code runs

Regardless of the approach:

• API Routes always run on the server
• do not end up in client-side JavaScript
• can safely work with a DB and secrets

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#Short summary

• In the Pages Router, API Routes are located in /pages/api
• In the App Router, API Routes are located in /app/api/**/route.ts
• Each file is a separate API endpoint
• All API Routes code runs only on the server