name: Next.js Server Actions description: Mutations, Form handling, and RPC-style calls. metadata: labels: [nextjs, actions, mutations] triggers: files: ['/actions.ts', '/*.tsx'] keywords: [use server, Server Action, revalidatePath, useFormStatus]

Server Actions

Priority: P1 (HIGH)

Handle form submissions and mutations without creating API endpoints.

Implementation

• Directive: Add 'use server' at the top of an async function.
• Usage: Pass to action prop of <form> or invoke from event handlers.

// actions.ts
'use server';
export async function createPost(formData: FormData) {
  const title = formData.get('title');
  await db.post.create({ title });
  revalidatePath('/posts'); // Refresh UI
}

Client Invocation

• Form: <form action={createPost}> (Progressive enhancements work without JS).
• Event Handler: onClick={() => createPost(data)}.
• Pending State: Use useFormStatus hook (must be inside a component rendered within the form).

Validation & Error Handling

• Zod: Always validate FormData or arguments on the server.
• Return Values: Return serializable objects { success: boolean, error?: string } to handle feedback on Client.

Security

• Authentication: Check auth() (e.g., NextAuth) session inside every Server Action.
• Closure: Be careful with closures in Server Actions defined inside Components (they capture context encrypted). Prefer defining actions in separate files (actions.ts).