One of the key distinctions of Gatsby compared to Next.js or SvelteKit is that it focuses solely on the front end. While full-stack frameworks offer more comprehensive solutions, Gatsby remains focused on providing tools and features specifically for building high-performance, static websites. For development, Gatsby requires Node.js, but interestingly, it doesn’t need Node.js for deployment. Instead, it integrates seamlessly with platforms like Netlify and Gatsby Cloud, which offer easy deployment solutions for static websites. This makes Gatsby a great option for developers who prefer a front-end-centric approach with minimal back-end complexity.
To get started with Gatsby, it’s best to dive in directly. Setting up Gatsby requires access to a command line, a Node.js/NPM installation, and Git, which will help you download the starter kit. Once you have NPM installed, you can globally install Gatsby’s command line tool by typing npm install -g gatsby-cli. After installation, you can check your version with gatsby -v to confirm everything is set up correctly.
Creating a new Gatsby project is simple and interactive. With the command gatsby new, Gatsby guides you through the setup process. During this phase, you’ll be prompted to choose things like the CMS you want to use or which CSS processors you prefer, but all of these decisions are flexible and can be adjusted later. For example, you can opt to skip CMS setup and plugins, allowing you to customize your project as you go. After completing these steps, you’ll have a solid foundation for building your Gatsby site, ready for further customization and development