INTRO
Server Actions excel at form posts from your own UI. Route Handlers excel at anything that must behave like a normal HTTP endpoint - webhooks, third-party OAuth callbacks, or mobile clients. Confusing the two creates awkward `fetch` wrappers or exposed internals.
Server Actions for same-origin forms
Progressive enhancement and minimal client JS are real wins. I validate on the server, revalidate tags/paths after writes, and return structured errors for field mapping.
Do not treat Server Actions as a hidden public API - assume motivated users can invoke them. Re-check auth inside the action.
Route Handlers for real HTTP contracts
Webhooks from Stripe or GitHub need stable URLs, signature verification, and idempotency - Route Handlers are the fit.
If a non-Next client must call it, it is probably a Route Handler or a separate service.
Security basics for both
CSRF: understand how your cookies and methods interact. Rate limit sensitive mutations.
Log action names and user ids for audit; never trust client-sent IDs without ownership checks.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
“Server Actions: same-site mutations with server-first validation.”
- 02
Route Handlers: webhooks, integrations, and non-React callers.
- 03
Always authorize on the server - never rely on hiding the endpoint.
CONCLUSION
Closing thought
Pick the tool by caller and contract. Actions for your forms; Route Handlers for the rest of the HTTP world. Ready to talk scope? Use Contact — or browse Services for fit.
CONTINUE
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