Learn Cycle, P5 and Strapi

**Developers aren’t the only ones working on sites.** 

Marketers, copywriters, designers, and other non-coding roles all need to be able to make content changes. If you don't want to be bothered to open a PR every time a typo needs fixed, you *need* a CMS. 

And Strapi is an *amazing* CMS option.  

Strapi helps you quickly build a robust content API. You can host it yourself, it supports both RESTful and GraphQL, handles your authentication, lets you bring team members and it's highly customizable with plugins and extensions. 

You can take those gains even further by adding **Next.js 13 to the stack.** 

Next.js is fast, supports both server and client-side rendering, and features dynamic routes. Once you are generating dynamic pages from your CMS you’ll see just how powerful the combination of Strapi and Next.js is!

**In this course you will do the following:** 

- Building Content Models with Strapi
- Fetching Data from your Headless CMS
- Using React Server Components
- Using the Next.js App directory
- Setting up pagination in Strapi and Next.js
- Parsing and rendering content in your Next.js application
- Connecting external services to your Headless CMS (like Cloudinary for Media Management)
- Deploying your Next.js and Strapi Applications to a production environment
- Setting up and using Strapi Plugins
Transferring data between your Strapi environments

By the end of this course you’ll be building pages and managing your content like a pro!

strapi

Modern CMS Driven Web Applications with Strapi and Next 13

There is a lot of extra functionality that you can import into your Strapi application through Strapi plugins. 

To demonstrate how easy this is, we'll install the `strapi-todo-plugin` and add a To-Do feature to our Strapi application that will help manage our content.

Install and Use a Strapi Plugin

Inviting users to your Strapi application is simple. First, we'll create a role for editors so they can't publish or delete content then we'll add the user and fill out name and email. This gives us a URL that we can send to the new collaborator and they can set their password and log in to the Strapi dashboard.

Invite a New User to Your Strapi App

When a new Strapi version is available, you'll see a notification in your admin panel. You can also check the [Strapi GitHub releases page](https://github.com/strapi/strapi/releases) that is linked in the notification to see what's new in the latest version and take note of the latest version number. 

Once we upgrade the Strapi dependencies and install again, you'll notice the notification is gone and when you check settings the version number has been updated. To update production, you push your changes to GitHub and run `git push heroku HEAD:main`.

Upgrade a Strapi App in Development and Production

There are times that when deploying your Strapi application you'll want the data and settings you developed with to be transferred to your production environment. To do this we can use Strapi's data transfer feature. 

To start the data transfer we will need to log into the production environment and create a transfer token. When the token is created we will just need to run `yarn strapi transfer --to :heroku-url` and paste the transfer token when prompted. You'll notice that all the data is present in your production enviroment as well as the roles you set up in development.

Transfer Data Between Environments with Strapi Data Transfer

Now that we've got a functioning application it's time to deploy. For Strapi, we'll use Heroku to deploy for production. To do so we will need to create a production environment file for `database.js` and `server.js`, then we log into Heroku and created a new app. Once logged in we will set all the environment variables in Heroku. Finally, we pushed our code to Heroku and saw our application running live on the web.

Deploy a Strapi Application to Heroku

cloudinary

We'll learn how to integrate Cloudinary into our Strapi application so that we can upload image assets in our Strapi dashboard and the resulting image will be stored in Cloudinary and ready for use in our application.

We'll create a `config/plugins.js` file and paste in some config code that sets Cloudinary as the provider with `cloud_name`, `api_key`, and `api_secret`.

Then we'll install the Cloudinary provider plugin with `npm install @strapi/provider-upload-cloudinary`, add the middleware security that lets us use Cloudinary, and finally add Cloudinary credentials to our `.env` file.

Install and Add the Cloudinary Provider to a Strapi Application

We'll cover the basics of building a new page in Next.js, specifically an "About Us" page. If you've used Next before, this will feel very similar to creating a new page in the `pages` directory. 

While doing this we will also be introduced to some of the components that come with the template, such as the `PageContainer`, `Main`, `Title`, and `Description` components which you can check out [in more detail here](https://github.com/malgamves/next-13-website-template/tree/main/components).


Create an About Us Page inside the Next.js 13 App Directory

GraphQL is a powerful technology that lets you query the exact data that you need when you need it on your front end. Strapi allows for GraphQL integration through a plugin.

You can install GraphQL with the following command:

```bash
yarn strapi install graphql
```
You'll notice this adds GraphQL in your plugins tab within Strapi. 

When that is installed you can navigate to `/graphql` in your Strapi project and query the data you have. 

Install and Query GraphQL API in Strapi

We have a problem right now in that if you were to try and fetch these posts from the API, you would get a 403 error. And that's because we haven't set up the end user permissions for the API to be able to access this content. So let's go ahead and do that now.

We'll modify the User permissions for the `Post` role and give public access to `find` and `findOne`.

Set up API End User Permissions to Make REST Queries in Strapi

The first thing we want to do is model the content that will be presented on our website. To do this we'll create a Post content type that will have several fields with types including text, rich text, date, and UID. 

After we create the content type you'll see how to manually create posts through the Strapi dashboard.

Create a Collection Type for a Post in Strapi

We'll start with the basics of creating a new Strapi project, naming the project API, and setting up the project to use an SQLite database.

Creating a New Strapi Project for Development with npx

p5.js is a JavaScript library that starts with the original goal of Processing, to make coding accessible for artists, designers, educators, and beginners, and reinterprets this for today's web.

In this lesson we look at using color and the basic drawing methods of p5js, and how they can be combined to create a simple graphic on the canvas.

Introduction to drawing with p5js

Cycle.js is a framework where your app is described as a simple function taking an event stream as input and outputting an event stream.

cycle

This lesson shows what can be learned next as a continuation of this course, and gives a recap on the core concepts: main for pure logic, drivers for side effects, run() to connect main and drivers, sources for read effects, sinks for write effects, and nesting Cycle.js apps to work as components.

Overview of Cycle.js

Cycle.js is a framework where your app is described as a simple function taking an event stream as input and outputting an event stream. 

Cycle.js builds on functional and reactive streams and is a JavaScript framework. What does that mean? In the course, André Staltz, the creator of Cycle.js, will explain it to us.

We'll start this course with an empty project and build out our own toy version of Cycle.js to understand exactly what's going on under the hood. When we have a solid base of how Cycle.js works we will move on to use the Cycle.js API and build an app using the Model-View-Intent pattern.

Cycle.js Fundamentals

Our app is not yet a BMI calculator, because it only has two sliders, but doesn't show the calculated BMI number. In this lesson we will learn how to export any stream from a child component and use it in the parent component, in order to display the BMI calculation on the DOM.

Export Values from Components through Sinks in Cycle.js

We added classNames to pre-processing and post-processing steps when calling the LabeledSlider, in order to instances independent of each other. It would be better if we could hide these steps away. This lesson introduces the isolate() helper function to achieve that.

Isolate Component Instances in Cycle.js

Once we have a labeled slider component inside the main function, we should be able to create another labeled slider. This lesson teaches how to accomplish that, and make sure those two instances work independently of each other.

Use Multiple Independent Instances of a Cycle.js Component

We have made a Cycle.js app for generic labeled slider which can be configured through props, but how can we reuse it in other Cycle.js apps? This lesson shows how we can embed any Cycle program inside a larger Cycle program in a very simple manner.

Use a Cycle.js Component in the main() Function

We are starting to get a better architecture for these UI apps. But we still have a problem of repeating code for the sliders, since they share so much in common in looks and functionality. This lessons shows how we can create a generic labeled slider as a main() function receiving properties as sources.

Create a Generic Cycle.js Component

We built the BMI calculator all inside one function: main(). As apps scale, we don't want main() to grow. We need an organized pattern where each function focuses on doing one thing. This lesson shows how we can easily refactor the main() function into three parts: Intent, Model, and View.

Organize your Cycle.js Application into the Model-View-Intent Pattern

Creating powerful and context-aware tools for Cursor IDE becomes straightforward when leveraging information directly from your current project. In this lesson, you'll learn how to build a custom MCP (model context protocol) tool that intelligently requests essential details—such as the current project path and conversation summaries—from your Cursor project.

Workflow demonstrated in this lesson:

- Define MCP tool parameters to request specific project details.
- Pass project path and conversation summaries into your MCP tool.
- Automatically write or update files within your current project using these parameters.

Key benefits:

- Automate tasks with precision based on your active project's context.
- Simplify interactions by creating AI-driven CLI commands tailored to your needs.
- Open endless possibilities for integrating external APIs and advanced automation.

Through this practical demonstration, you'll gain a versatile technique for enhancing your development workflow in Cursor IDE.

[https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter](https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter)

John Lindquist

Build MCP Tools Using Project Context for Custom Cursor IDE Automation

Setting up custom MCP (Machine Command Protocol) servers in Cursor can involve tedious steps, such as configuring node paths or referencing additional commands. This lesson shows how to streamline this process by bundling your MCP server directly into a standalone executable.

Workflow demonstrated in this lesson:

- Use a simple MCP server project starter.
- Run a single bundling command to create an executable.
- Right-click the generated executable, copy its full path, and add that directly to your Cursor settings.

Key benefits:

- Eliminates the need for complex node path configurations.
- Simplifies the setup and integration of custom MCP servers into Cursor.
- Makes the server executable instantly accessible within your Cursor environment.

By following this streamlined approach, you can quickly and easily integrate custom MCP servers into Cursor, making your development workflow cleaner and more efficient.

[https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter]()

Easy MCP Server Setup in Cursor IDE with Bundled Executables

TanStack Router is the foundation for TanStack Start, which is gaining significant attention due to its innovative approach to application development.

This course focuses on getting effective TanStack Router, a modern and scalable routing solution for React applications. You will learn how to:
- set up and scaffold new applications,
- use file-based routing
- create nested routes
- manage dynamic route parameters and more.

The course covers advanced features like route loaders, caching strategies, and lifecycle hooks, which are crucial for enhancing application performance and user experience.

By understanding TanStack Router, you can build more efficient, type-safe, and maintainable applications, leveraging its integration with data fetching libraries like TanStack Query.

This knowledge is essential for developers looking to improve their routing skills and stay ahead in the field.

Tomasz Ducin

Up and Running with Tanstack Router and React

Learn TanStack Router for React: set up apps, use file-based routing, manage routes, and boost app performance.


In this lesson, we explore how TanStack Router integrates with the [native browser history API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/History) to manage navigation.

As we navigate through different routes, the URL changes are stored in the browser's history, allowing users to use the forward and backward buttons to traverse their navigation history.

This functionality also **enables permalinks**, meaning users can copy and paste URLs to access specific routes directly.

Additionally, we learn how to programmatically interact with the history object to move forward or backward through the navigation stack, enhancing the user experience by providing full control over navigation actions.

This compatibility with the native history API ensures that TanStack Router applications behave similarly to traditional websites, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Browse History in Tanstack Router

Browse history in TanStack React Router using the native history API for seamless navigation

In this lesson, we explore how to hook into TanStack Router's lifecycle hooks to execute custom logic during route changes.

The hooks we'll look into are: `onEnter`, `onStay`, and `onLeave`, which are triggered when entering, staying within, or leaving a route, respectively.

All hooks receive a detailed match parameter, providing information about the route's path, ID, and tons of other details.

This allows for the implementation of features like animations or logging when navigating between routes.

We also learn how to use these hooks to track and manage state changes as users interact with the application, making it easier to implement complex behaviors based on route transitions.

Hook into Route Lifecycle Hooks in Tanstack Router

Hook into TanStack React Router's lifecycle hooks for custom route logic and animations.

In this lesson, we learn how to handle not found errors in TanStack Router by using the `notFoundComponent` at both nested and global levels.

To trigger the display of a `notFoundComponent`, we must throw a specific error using the `notFound` function within a loader or other lifecycle method of a route. This approach allows us to provide custom error messages for specific routes or globally across the application.

We explore how to define a notFoundComponent within a specific route's configuration and how to set a `defaultNotFoundComponent` at the router global level, which applies to all routes unless overridden locally. This flexibility ensures that users receive meaningful feedback when encountering non-existent routes.

Provide NotFoundComponent at Nested Route or Global Level in Tanstack Router

Handle notFound errors in TanStack Router with notFoundComponent at nested or global levels.



In this lesson, we learn how to access dynamic route parameters using the `useParams` hook in TanStack Router.

When used with a specific `Route` object, `useParams` provides type-safe access to route parameters, ensuring that TypeScript knows the exact types of these parameters.

This approach eliminates the possibility of undefined/optional values, making it safer for accessing parameters like `employeeId`.

However, when using `useParams` globally without specifying a route, it requires an options object with `{ strict: false }`, which reduces type safety.

In this case, the hook can access parameters from any route in the application, but it does not guarantee their existence or type. This flexibility allows components to be reused across different routes, but it requires careful handling of potential errors.



Access Dynamic Route Parameters with useParams in Tanstack Router

Access dynamic route parameters with useParams in TanStack React Router for type-safe routing.

In this lesson, we learn how to reorganize file-based routes in TanStack Router to accommodate nested routing structures.

We explore how to create additional nested routes by converting files into directories, allowing for further nesting.

For example, to create a nested route like `/employees/$employeeId/edit`, we can create a **directory** (!) named `$employeeId` and place an `index.tsx` file inside it to define the route component for this nested route.

This approach provides flexibility in organizing files while maintaining the convention that file names and locations align with route paths. We also see how to adapt existing components and loaders to work with these reorganized routes, enabling features like edit forms or delete actions (or whatever) within nested routes.


Reorganize File-Based Routes in Tanstack Router

Reorganize file-based routes in TanStack Router for flexible nested routing.



In this lesson, we learn how to parametrize the loader for a nested route in TanStack Router.

We focus on a nested route like `/employees/$employeeId`, where the `$employeeId` is a **dynamic parameter**.

To fetch data for this route, we use a `loader` function that accesses the `$employeeId` parameter. This is achieved by using the params object available in the `loader` function, which contains the dynamic segments of the URL. We then use this parameter to call a function like `getEmployeeById`, which fetches specific employee details from an API.

We highlights that TanStack Router **automatically infers types** for these parameters, ensuring type safety for nested routes.

Parametrize Route Loader for Nested Route in Tanstack Router

Parametrize nested route loaders in TanStack Router using path parameters

In this lesson, we learn how to create nested routes and outlets in TanStack Router using file-based routing.

We start by creating a new `employees` directory and files to represent nested routes, such as `/employees/$employeeId`. The `$` symbol is used to denote dynamic parameters.

We then use the `<Link>` component from TanStack Router to create links to these nested routes, passing necessary parameters.

To render the nested content, we use the `<Outlet>` component (nested), which automatically renders child routes. This approach allows us to dynamically display stuff under a nested route.

All the time, the TanStack Router generator automatically updates the route tree based on file changes - our routing configuration remains consistent 🔥



Create Nested Route and Nested Outlets in Tanstack Router

Create nested routes and outlets in TanStack Router using file-based routing

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