Next.js 16 launches with Turbopack, new caching model, React 19.2, and Devtools upgrades

React web framework Next.js 16 debuts with a new cache component model that uses Partial Pre-Rendering and client-side caching, which speeds up page navigation across applications. Turbopack exits beta as the stable, default bundler, delivering 5 to 10 times faster Fast Refresh and build speeds up to five times quicker. Adding to this, Turbopack introduces file system caching in beta, shrinking startup and compile times for large projects.

Following these architectural upgrades, Next.js 16 incorporates Devtools support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP), giving developers expanded debugging options and workflow visibility. Upgrades also extend to developer experience, with refined logging for both builds and local development sessions.

While major features anchor this release, the update moves network boundary management from middleware to a new proxy.ts approach, making boundaries clearer in project structures. Enhanced routing integrates layout deduplication and incremental prefetching, resulting in swifter and more efficient site navigation.

On the technical front, built-in React compiler integration enables automatic memorization, and support for React 19.2 brings compatibility with View Transitions and useEffectEvent(). Multiple API improvements include a Build Adapters API (currently in alpha), a new updateTag() in caching APIs, and several breaking changes like updated async parameter behavior and next/image defaults.