Should I upgrade to Next.js 16?

Decide when to upgrade to Next.js 16, given Turbopack becoming the default, async request API breaking changes, and official migration guidance.

Not yet — unless you've already migrated off webpack and sync APIs.

Blockers

! Requires runtime/nodejs-20 20.9.0+ (ESM and async API support)
! Requires package/typescript-5 5.1.0+ (type-level features for App Router)
! Requires package/react-19 19.0+ (RSC and async Server Components)
! cookies/headers/params/searchParams/draftMode must be awaited — sync access removed
! next build fails with custom webpack config — must use --webpack flag or remove config
! next lint command removed
! middleware.ts deprecated — renamed to proxy.ts (Edge runtime not supported in proxy)
! framework/nextjs-16 incompatible with engine/webpack: next build fails with webpack config present — Turbopack is default

Facts updated: 2026-03-15

Published: 2026-03-27

$ npm install -g pocketlantern
# Then ask:
$ pocketlantern "Next.js 16 Upgrade: Turbopack Default and Async Request APIs"

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