How I Prototype Fast with Next.js and Supabase

npx create-next-app@latest my-new-mvp
cd my-new-mvp

Then, I spin up a new Supabase project from their website. It takes literally minutes to get a project with a PostgreSQL database, authentication, and even a built-in admin UI.

I connect them by installing the Supabase client library:

```bash
npm install @supabase/supabase-js

And then configuring the Supabase client in my `utils/supabaseClient.js` (or similar):

```javascript
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';

const supabaseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL;
const supabaseAnonKey = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY;

export const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseAnonKey);

You just need to grab your project URL and anon key from your Supabase dashboard and add them to your `.env.local` file. That’s it. you've a fully functional backend ready to go.

![A screenshot showing a Supabase dashboard with project details and API keys.](/static/images/blog/A_screenshot_showing_a_Supabase_dashboard_with_pro_221919197_1.jpg)

### Real-World Impact: My 52-Product Challenge

I've used this exact stack for several of my products in the 52-product challenge. For instance, I built a simple content scheduler tool. The core functionality involved users creating posts, scheduling them, and then having a backend process (which Supabase Functions can handle) to push them out.

With Next.js, I could quickly set up protected routes for user dashboards and easily integrate Supabase Auth. Fetching and displaying data from Supabase was a breeze, thanks to their client library and the automatic API generation.

What would have taken me days of setting up user management, database schemas, and API endpoints with a more traditional stack, took me just a few hours with Next.js and Supabase. I was able to focus on the unique value proposition of the scheduler (its intuitive interface and scheduling logic) rather than the plumbing.

This stack allowed me to get a functional MVP out the door in about **3 days**. Compare that to the weeks I used to spend just on the initial setup, and the difference is massive. It’s about shipping value, not just code.

![A simple UI mock-up of a task manager or content scheduler built with Next.js and Supabase.](/static/images/blog/A_simple_UI_mock_up_of_a_task_manager_or_content_s_418889763_1.jpg)

### Your Actionable Roadmap

If you're feeling that same frustration of slow development cycles, I highly recommend giving Next.js and Supabase a try for your next MVP.

Here’s your simple roadmap:

1.  **Start a New Next.js Project:** Use `create-next-app`.
2.  **Create a Supabase Project:** Sign up and create a new project on Supabase.
3.  **Connect Them:** Install the Supabase JS client and configure your environment variables.
4.  **Build Features:** Leverage Supabase Auth for sign-up/login and start querying/mutating your database.

This combination removes so much of the boilerplate and decision fatigue, letting you focus on what truly matters: building a product that people will use. You can ship in days, not weeks, and start getting real feedback that much faster. That’s the power of a lean, opinionated stack.