Getting Started with Nuxt 4: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Nuxt 4 is the latest version of the popular Vue.js framework that simplifies building modern web applications. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started, Nuxt 4 makes creating fast, SEO-friendly websites remarkably straightforward.

What Is Nuxt 4?

Nuxt is a framework built on top of Vue.js that handles the complex configuration for you, providing:

• Server-side rendering for better SEO and performance
• File-based routing (no manual route configuration needed)
• Automatic code splitting for faster page loads
• Built-in optimisations out of the box
• TypeScript support with excellent developer experience

Think of it as Vue.js with superpowers—all the benefits of Vue with powerful features added automatically.

Why Choose Nuxt 4?

Performance First

Nuxt 4 is built for speed, with automatic optimisations that ensure your website loads quickly without manual tweaking.

Developer Experience

File-based routing, auto-imports, and excellent TypeScript support mean less boilerplate and more productive coding.

SEO-Friendly

Unlike traditional single-page applications, Nuxt renders pages on the server, making your content easily indexable by search engines.

Future-Proof

Nuxt stays current with the latest web standards and best practices, ensuring your application remains modern.

Prerequisites

Before diving in, you'll need:

• Node.js version 18 or higher installed
• Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Familiarity with Vue.js (helpful but not essential)
• A code editor (VS Code recommended)

Installation and Setup

Step 1: Create Your First Nuxt 4 Project

Open your terminal and run:

npx nuxi@latest init my-nuxt-app

This command creates a new Nuxt 4 project called "my-nuxt-app". The installer will ask a few questions—the defaults work great for beginners.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Project

cd my-nuxt-app

Step 3: Install Dependencies

npm install

Step 4: Start the Development Server

npm run dev

Your Nuxt application is now running at http://localhost:3000! Open your browser to see your new site.

Understanding the Project Structure

Nuxt 4 uses a clean, intuitive folder structure:

my-nuxt-app/
├── pages/          # Your website pages (routes created automatically)
├── components/     # Reusable Vue components
├── layouts/        # Page layouts (headers, footers, etc.)
├── public/         # Static files (images, fonts)
├── server/         # Server-side code and API routes
├── app.vue         # Root component
└── nuxt.config.ts  # Nuxt configuration

Creating Your First Page

Nuxt uses file-based routing—creating a file in the pages directory automatically creates a route.

Create an About Page

Create pages/about.vue:

<template>
  <div>
    <h1>About Us</h1>
    <p>Welcome to our Nuxt 4 website!</p>
  </div>
</template>

Now visit http://localhost:3000/about and you'll see your new page. No router configuration needed!

Building Components

Components are reusable pieces of your UI. Create components/WelcomeMessage.vue:

<template>
  <div class="welcome">
    <h2>{{ greeting }}</h2>
    <p>{{ message }}</p>
  </div>
</template>

<script setup>
const greeting = 'Hello from Nuxt 4!';
const message = 'Building modern web apps has never been easier.';
</script>

<style scoped>
.welcome {
  padding: 2rem;
  background: #f0f0f0;
  border-radius: 8px;
}
</style>

Use it in any page without importing:

<template>
  <div>
    <WelcomeMessage />
  </div>
</template>

Nuxt automatically imports components from the components directory!

Adding Navigation

Create a layout with navigation in layouts/default.vue:

<template>
  <div>
    <nav>
      <NuxtLink to="/">Home</NuxtLink>
      <NuxtLink to="/about">About</NuxtLink>
    </nav>
    <main>
      <slot />
    </main>
  </div>
</template>

<style scoped>
nav {
  padding: 1rem;
  background: #333;
  display: flex;
  gap: 1rem;
}

nav a {
  color: white;
  text-decoration: none;
}

nav a:hover {
  text-decoration: underline;
}
</style>

This layout applies to all pages automatically, providing consistent navigation.

Fetching Data

Nuxt 4 makes data fetching simple with composables like useFetch:

<script setup>
const { data: posts } = await useFetch('https://api.example.com/posts');
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <h1>Blog Posts</h1>
    <article v-for="post in posts" :key="post.id">
      <h2>{{ post.title }}</h2>
      <p>{{ post.excerpt }}</p>
    </article>
  </div>
</template>

Data fetching happens on the server, improving SEO and initial load times.

Building for Production

When you're ready to deploy:

npm run build

This creates an optimised production build. Then preview it:

npm run preview

Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore:

• Nuxt Content for building blogs and documentation
• State management with Pinia
• API routes for backend functionality
• Deployment to Vercel, Netlify, or other platforms
• Modules for adding functionality (auth, analytics, etc.)

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not using layouts: Layouts prevent duplicating navigation and structure
2. Ignoring TypeScript: Even basic TypeScript catches errors early
3. Skipping the docs: Nuxt's documentation is excellent—use it!
4. Over-complicating: Start simple and add complexity as needed

Why Elaitch Uses Nuxt 4

At Elaitch, we build client websites with Nuxt 4 because it delivers:

• Lightning-fast performance that keeps visitors engaged
• Excellent SEO that helps clients rank in search results
• Maintainable code that's easy to update and expand
• Modern features without complicated configuration

Ready to Build Something Amazing?

Nuxt 4 makes professional web development accessible. Whether you're building a personal blog, business website, or complex web application, Nuxt provides the tools to succeed.

Start with a simple project, experiment, and gradually explore advanced features. The Nuxt community is welcoming and the documentation comprehensive.

Need help building your Nuxt 4 website? Contact Elaitch for professional development services.

Phil Lane is a full-stack developer specialising in Vue.js and Nuxt. He's helped dozens of businesses launch modern, performant websites using the Nuxt framework.