Why Turbopack in Next.js 15 Feels Like Cheating (in a Good Way)

Ever wished your Next.js app would reload before you even blink? 👀 That’s what Turbopack in Next.js 15 feels like. I’ve been geeking out over this Rust-based bundler, and it’s seriously speeding up my workflow. Here’s why it’s a game-changer, how I’m using it, and a few tips to get you started. Let’s jump in!

What’s Turbopack, and Why’s It Awesome?

Turbopack is Vercel’s new Rust-based bundler, designed to replace Webpack in Next.js. It’s like they took everything slow about dev builds and said, “Nah, let’s make this lightning.” I’ve been testing it with

next dev --turbo

in Next.js 15, and the speed is wild. Here’s what I’m seeing:

• Local server startup: Spins up 76% faster than Webpack. My app’s ready before I can grab my coffee.

• Hot reloads: Code changes hit in milliseconds-96% faster Fast Refresh for big projects. It’s like the browser’s reading my keystrokes.

• Scales like crazy: Turbopack only processes what’s changed, so even beefy apps with tons of components stay snappy.

For me, this isn’t just about numbers-it’s about flow. I can code, tweak, and see results without losing my train of thought. It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel like you’re cheating at dev work (in a good way 😎).

How I’m Using Turbopack in Next.js 15

Getting started is super simple. In your Next.js 15 project, just update your package.json scripts to enable Turbopack in dev mode:

{
"scripts": {
"dev": "next dev --turbo"
}
}

Then, run npm run dev, and boom-you’re in Turbopack land. I’m pairing this with Tailwind CSS v4’s Oxide engine, and the combo is unreal. My UI updates are instant, and I’m spending way less time staring at a “compiling…” screen.

For example, I’m working on a project with a bunch of dynamic components. With Webpack, every little change felt like a slog-especially when I was tweaking styles or adding new routes. Turbopack’s incremental builds mean I’m only compiling what’s new, so I can iterate like crazy without breaking my flow.

A Couple of Tips to Get the Most Out of Turbopack

1. Test in a Safe Branch:
Turbopack is still in beta for production builds, so I stick to dev mode for now. Create a new Git branch to play with it:

git checkout -b turbopack-test
npm run dev

This way, you can mess around without risking your main branch.

2. Watch for Plugin Gotchas:
If you’re using Webpack plugins (like custom loaders), some might not work with Turbopack yet. I had to swap out a couple of older plugins for native Next.js solutions. Check Vercel’s Turbopack docs for compatibility updates.

3. Pair with Tailwind v4:
If you’re using Tailwind, its new CSS-first approach (no config file needed!) plays so well with Turbopack. My styles update instantly, and I’m not juggling JavaScript configs. Try this in globals.css for a quick theme setup:


@import "tailwindcss";
@theme {
--color-primary: oklch(0.75 0.15 25);
--color-bg: oklch(0.95 0 0);
}

What’s Not Perfect (Yet)

Turbopack’s still young, so it’s not all rainbows. Production builds are experimental, and some complex Webpack setups might need extra love to migrate. If you’re deep in the Webpack ecosystem, you might want to wait a bit or test thoroughly. For me, though, dev mode is stable enough to make my daily coding a breeze.

Why This Matters to Me

As someone who loves building fast, beautiful UIs, Turbopack feels like it was made for my brain. I can stay in the zone, ship faster, and still have energy to enjoy the process (like I mentioned in my Sunday LinkedIn post-coding’s about creativity, not just churn!). Pair it with Next.js 15’s App Router and Tailwind v4, and you’ve got a stack that’s hard to beat.

Your Turn!

Have you tried Turbopack yet? What’s your favorite thing about it? Or, if you’re still rocking Webpack, what’s keeping you there? Drop a comment-I’d love to hear what you’re building or swap some tips. And if you’re curious about Next.js 15 or Tailwind v4, hit me up; I’m always down to nerd out! Happy coding, and let’s keep making the web faster and prettier!