How to Build a Progressive Web App With Nuxt 3

Building a Progressive Web App (PWA) with Nuxt 3 is a fantastic way to create an engaging and seamless user experience. Nuxt 3, the latest version of the popular Vue.js framework, offers powerful capabilities that make PWA development easier and more efficient. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to build a PWA with Nuxt 3.

1. Set Up Your Nuxt 3 Project

To start building your PWA, you first need to create a new Nuxt 3 project. Follow these steps:

Make sure you have Node.js installed on your machine.
Open your terminal and run the following command to create a new Nuxt 3 project:

npx nuxi init my-pwa

Navigate to your project directory:

cd my-pwa

Install the necessary dependencies:

npm install

2. Install the PWA Module

To enable PWA capabilities, you need to install the Nuxt PWA module. This module provides default configurations that allow your application to function as a PWA.

npm install @nuxt/pwa

Next, add the PWA module to your Nuxt configuration by editing the nuxt.config.ts file:

export default defineNuxtConfig({
  modules: ['@nuxt/pwa'],
});

3. Configure Your PWA Manifest

The manifest file is essential for defining how your app appears to the user and how it behaves when installed on devices. In your nuxt.config.ts file, you can set up the manifest as follows:

export default defineNuxtConfig({
  pwa: {
    manifest: {
      name: 'My Progressive Web App',
      short_name: 'MyPWA',
      description: 'An example of a Nuxt 3 Progressive Web App',
      theme_color: '#4DBA87',
      background_color: '#FFFFFF',
      display: 'standalone',
      orientation: 'portrait',
      icons: [
        {
          src: '/icon.png',
          sizes: '512x512',
          type: 'image/png'
        }
      ]
    }
  }
});

4. Add Service Workers

Service workers are vital in enabling offline capabilities and enhancing performance. By default, the Nuxt PWA module automatically generates a basic service worker for you. However, you can customize it further in your nuxt.config.ts file:

export default defineNuxtConfig({
  pwa: {
    workbox: {
      // Example of caching strategies
      runtimeCaching: [
        {
          urlPattern: 'https://yourapi.com/.*',
          handler: 'NetworkFirst',
          options: {
            cacheName: 'api-cache',
          },
        },
      ],
    }
  }
});

5. Enable Offline Functionality

Once your service worker is in place, your PWA will be capable of working offline. To test offline functionality, simply run your app in production mode:

npm run build
npm run start

Then, try disabling your internet connection and refreshing the app to see if it still loads the previous pages.

6. Test Your PWA

After implementing all configurations, it's time to test your PWA using tools such as Google Lighthouse. Lighthouse can provide insights into performance, accessibility, and PWA compliance. Run Lighthouse by opening Chrome DevTools, navigating to the 'Lighthouse' tab, and generating a report.

7. Deploy Your PWA

Once you are satisfied with testing, deploy your Nuxt PWA to a hosting service that supports HTTPS (as PWAs require secure origins). Popular options include:

Vercel
Netlify
Firebase Hosting

Follow the specific instructions of your chosen hosting provider to upload your application and make it live.

Conclusion

Creating a Progressive Web App with Nuxt 3 is straightforward and offers numerous benefits

How to Build a Progressive Web App With Nuxt 3