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Next.js + Firebase + Tailwind rules for AI coding agents

Full stack: Next.js (App Router) + Tailwind CSS v4 + Firebase

Ready-to-commit rules for Next.js (App Router) + Tailwind CSS v4 + Firebase in every major format: AGENTS.md (Codex, Cursor, Copilot), CLAUDE.md (Claude Code), Cursor .mdc project rules, legacy .cursorrules, Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md. Next.js with Firebase Auth and Firestore.

Last reviewed 2026-10-21 · Customise in the generator · Raw: AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md

The mistake agents make most on this stack

Agents leave Firestore in test mode (`allow read, write: if true`) or import the Admin SDK into client bundles.

Generated files

AGENTS.md
# AGENTS.md - this project

Instructions for AI coding agents working in this repository.

## Project

A Next.js (App Router) + Tailwind CSS v4 + Firebase project.

Stack: Next.js (App Router), Tailwind CSS v4, Firebase.

## Commands

- Dev server: `npm run dev`
- Production build (also type-checks): `npm run build`
- Lint: `npm run lint`
- Local emulators: `firebase emulators:start`
- Deploy rules only: `firebase deploy --only firestore:rules`

## Project structure

- `app/` holds routes: `page.tsx`, `layout.tsx`, `loading.tsx`, `error.tsx`, `route.ts` for API handlers.
- Shared UI in `components/`, server-only helpers in `lib/` (mark them with `import "server-only"`).

## How to work in this repo

- Read the relevant files before editing. Follow the patterns already in the codebase over these generic rules.
- Make the smallest change that solves the task. Do not refactor or reformat unrelated code.
- Before saying a task is done, run the type-check, lint and tests listed under Commands and fix what you broke.
- If requirements are ambiguous, ask one clear question instead of guessing.
- Never commit secrets, API keys or `.env` files. Use env vars and keep `.env.example` up to date.
- Do not add a new dependency when the standard library or an existing dependency already covers it.
- Ask before adding, removing or upgrading any dependency.
- Ask before changing database schemas, auth, payments or CI configuration.
- Never delete files, drop data or run destructive commands (`rm -rf`, `git push --force`, `DROP TABLE`) without explicit approval.
- Keep each change under ~200 changed lines where possible; split larger work into steps.

## Next.js (App Router)

- Check the Next.js major version in `package.json` before using an API; follow the docs for that version.
- Components are Server Components by default. Add `"use client"` only to the smallest leaf component that needs state, effects, or browser APIs.
- Fetch data in Server Components or Server Actions, not in `useEffect`.
- In Next.js 15+, `params`, `searchParams`, `cookies()` and `headers()` are async: always `await` them.
- Mutations go through Server Actions (`"use server"`) or `route.ts` handlers. Validate every input on the server and re-check auth inside the action.
- After a mutation, call `revalidatePath()` or `revalidateTag()` instead of forcing the whole route dynamic.
- Use `next/image` for images, `next/font` for fonts and `next/link` for internal links.
- Export `metadata` or `generateMetadata` from every page for title, description and Open Graph tags.
- Only variables prefixed `NEXT_PUBLIC_` reach the browser. Never put secrets in them.
- In Next.js 16, `middleware.ts` is renamed `proxy.ts`. Use whichever file the project already has.

## Tailwind CSS v4

- Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS: `@import "tailwindcss";` plus `@theme { ... }` for design tokens. Do not create a `tailwind.config.js` unless the project already has one.
- Use theme tokens (colors, spacing) instead of arbitrary values like `w-[37px]`.
- Build responsive layouts mobile-first with `sm:`, `md:`, `lg:` prefixes.
- Extract repeated class lists into components, not `@apply` chains.
- Support dark mode with the `dark:` variant when the project uses it.

## Firebase

- Firebase web config is public by design; security comes from Firestore/Storage Security Rules. Never ship `allow read, write: if true`.
- Every collection needs rules that check `request.auth` and validate the written fields.
- Admin SDK credentials are server-only (Cloud Functions or your backend).
- Model Firestore data for your queries: avoid deeply nested data and unbounded arrays; denormalize deliberately.
- Test rules and functions against the Emulator Suite, not production.

## Avoid

- Do not add `"use client"` to layouts or pages just to silence an error; move the interactive part into a child component.
- Do not use the Pages Router (`pages/`) APIs such as `getServerSideProps` in an App Router project.

## Reference docs

- [Next.js docs](https://nextjs.org/docs)
- [Tailwind CSS docs](https://tailwindcss.com/docs)
- [Firebase docs](https://firebase.google.com/docs)

Commands your agent should run

TaskCommand
Dev servernpm run dev
Production build (also type-checks)npm run build
Lintnpm run lint
Local emulatorsfirebase emulators:start
Deploy rules onlyfirebase deploy --only firestore:rules

What the rules cover

Next.js (App Router)

Next.js App Router with React Server Components and TypeScript. Scoped to app/**/*.tsx, app/**/*.ts, src/**/*.tsx, src/**/*.ts in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Check the Next.js major version in package.json before using an API; follow the docs for that version.
  • Components are Server Components by default. Add "use client" only to the smallest leaf component that needs state, effects, or browser APIs.
  • Fetch data in Server Components or Server Actions, not in useEffect.
  • In Next.js 15+, params, searchParams, cookies() and headers() are async: always await them.
  • Mutations go through Server Actions ("use server") or route.ts handlers. Validate every input on the server and re-check auth inside the action.
  • After a mutation, call revalidatePath() or revalidateTag() instead of forcing the whole route dynamic.
  • Use next/image for images, next/font for fonts and next/link for internal links.
  • Export metadata or generateMetadata from every page for title, description and Open Graph tags.
  • Only variables prefixed NEXT_PUBLIC_ reach the browser. Never put secrets in them.
  • In Next.js 16, middleware.ts is renamed proxy.ts. Use whichever file the project already has.

Source docs: Next.js docs

Tailwind CSS v4

Utility-first styling with Tailwind CSS v4. Scoped to **/*.css, **/*.tsx, **/*.vue, **/*.svelte, **/*.astro, **/*.html, **/*.blade.php, **/*.erb in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS: @import "tailwindcss"; plus @theme { ... } for design tokens. Do not create a tailwind.config.js unless the project already has one.
  • Use theme tokens (colors, spacing) instead of arbitrary values like w-[37px].
  • Build responsive layouts mobile-first with sm:, md:, lg: prefixes.
  • Extract repeated class lists into components, not @apply chains.
  • Support dark mode with the dark: variant when the project uses it.

Source docs: Tailwind CSS docs

Firebase

Firebase Auth, Firestore and Cloud Functions. Scoped to firestore.rules, functions/**, **/firebase/** in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Firebase web config is public by design; security comes from Firestore/Storage Security Rules. Never ship allow read, write: if true.
  • Every collection needs rules that check request.auth and validate the written fields.
  • Admin SDK credentials are server-only (Cloud Functions or your backend).
  • Model Firestore data for your queries: avoid deeply nested data and unbounded arrays; denormalize deliberately.
  • Test rules and functions against the Emulator Suite, not production.

Source docs: Firebase docs

How to install

  1. Copy AGENTS.md to your repo root. That covers Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot and most other agents.
  2. Using Claude Code? Add a CLAUDE.md with the single line @AGENTS.md, or use the standalone CLAUDE.md tab above.
  3. Want rules that only load for certain files in Cursor? Add the .cursor/rules/*.mdc files.
  4. Commit the files so your whole team (and every agent) shares them.

FAQ

Where do I put the AGENTS.md for Next.js (App Router) + Tailwind CSS v4 + Firebase?

Save it as AGENTS.md in the root of your repository, next to your main config file. Codex, Cursor and GitHub Copilot pick it up automatically. For Claude Code, add a CLAUDE.md containing @AGENTS.md (or use the standalone CLAUDE.md on this page).

What is the most common mistake AI agents make with Next.js (App Router)?

Agents leave Firestore in test mode (allow read, write: if true) or import the Admin SDK into client bundles.

Which commands should the agent run to check its work?

For this stack: npm run dev, npm run build, npm run lint, firebase emulators:start. They are listed in the generated files so the agent runs them before finishing a task.

Do these Next.js (App Router) + Tailwind CSS v4 + Firebase rules work with Cursor and Claude Code?

Yes. This page includes the same rules as AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, Cursor .mdc project rules, a legacy .cursorrules file, GitHub Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md.

Can I customise these rules?

Yes. Open this stack in the generator to add or remove libraries, set your project name and package manager, switch beginner explanations on, and download everything as a zip.

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