AI Image Generator with Next.js & DALL-E
Build a web app that takes a user's prompt and generates an image using OpenAI's DALL-E 3 API, then displays it on the screen.
The Problem
Build a web app that takes a user's prompt and generates an image using OpenAI's DALL-E 3 API, then displays it on the screen.
Real-World Use Case
Build a web app that takes a user's prompt and generates an image using OpenAI's DALL-E 3 API, then displays it on the screen.
Technology Stack
Next.js basics
Prerequisite
React state
Prerequisite
OpenAI API Key
Prerequisite
Architecture & Design
Folder Structure
app/
├── page.tsx
├── api/
│ └── generate/route.tsStep-by-Step Implementation
Create a form for user input
Set up a new Next.js project with Tailwind CSS.
// Solution code involves Next.js App Router API and a simple fetch call in a React component.Code Explanation
Implementation step
Send POST request to local API
Create the API route to securely handle the OpenAI key.
// Solution code involves Next.js App Router API and a simple fetch call in a React component.Code Explanation
Implementation step
API securely calls OpenAI
Manage loading state while waiting for the image generation.
// Solution code involves Next.js App Router API and a simple fetch call in a React component.Code Explanation
Implementation step
Return image URL
Show toast notifications if the prompt is blocked by safety filters.
// Solution code involves Next.js App Router API and a simple fetch call in a React component.Code Explanation
Implementation step
Render <img> tag
Show toast notifications if the prompt is blocked by safety filters.
// Solution code involves Next.js App Router API and a simple fetch call in a React component.Code Explanation
Implementation step
Common Errors
Always call the API from a backend route, not directly from the browser.
Security & Performance
Generate an image
Test empty input
Test offensive input to see safety block
Add a gallery of past generations
Allow downloading the image
Interview Questions
Q: Why use an API route?
A: To hide your API key from the frontend.