A self-hosted focused fork of Next.js v15.3.3 that removes platform limitations and adds features like native WebSocket support, unrestricted Node.js middleware, and build-time image optimization.
Built for teams who control their infrastructure and want the full power of Node.js without artificial constraints.
Frameworks should define capabilities, not platforms. We believe deployment targets should adapt to support framework features, not the other way around. When platforms dictate what a framework can do, innovation stops and developers suffer.
npm uninstall next # Bye artificially imposed limitations
npm install @openuiai/next # Hello unrestricted Node.js
npm run dev # Your existing app works unchanged, as long as you are self-hosting
⚠️ WORK IN PROGRESS: This fork officially started in August 2025 and is currently in active development. Features are being implemented and tested. Use at your own discretion for production workloads.
- Native WebSocket Support: SOCKET exports in API routes
- Unrestricted Middleware: Full Node.js APIs, database connections, file system access
- Build-time Image Optimization: Process images during build, not runtime
- Solves: #19065
- Self-hosted Only: No edge/serverless compromises
- Removes: Platform-exclusive features, artificial limitations, Vercel-first architecture (see vendor-lock.md)
This project is maintained by one committed developer, and any help is welcome. Whether you're fixing bugs, implementing features, improving documentation, or testing deployments — every contribution matters for building a truly self-hosted-first Next.js.
- Issues: Bug reports and feature requests
- Pull Requests: Code contributions
- Discussions: Ideas and questions
- GitHub Discussions: Questions and ideas
- Discord: Real-time chat
- Twitter: Updates and announcements
NOTE: This fork is designed exclusively for self-hosted deployments. It will not work on serverless/edge platforms like Vercel by design.