Building a GraphQL API with MongoDB in TypeScript: A Complete Guide

In Part 1, we introduced GraphQL—covering its core concepts such as queries, mutations, resolvers, and schemas. If you’re new to GraphQL or want a solid conceptual foundation, we recommend reading that first before diving into this hands-on tutorial.

Introduction to Full Stack Development

Modern web applications demand high performance, flexibility, and seamless data handling. This has led developers to adopt full stack architectures powered by Next.js, GraphQL, TypeScript, and MongoDB. In this tutorial, we’ll dive deep into building a full stack app with Next.js and MongoDB, focusing on creating a GraphQL API in TypeScript that is scalable, secure, and easy to maintain. This Next.js GraphQL full stack tutorial will guide you through essential steps to achieve a production-ready setup. 

Why Choose GraphQL Over REST for Full Stack Applications 

REST APIs have been widely adopted for years, but they come with limitations, especially when frontend needs vary across different devices. GraphQL addresses these issues by enabling the client to request precisely the data it needs. This results in smaller payloads, improved performance, and a better developer experience. Additionally, GraphQL server-side rendering (SSR) is possible, allowing pre-fetching data at build time in Next.js. 

With GraphQL, managing a single endpoint simplifies the API structure. You also benefit from a strongly-typed schema, real-time updates, introspection, and automatic documentation, which makes GraphQL the perfect choice for modern full stack apps. 

 

Setting Up Your Full Stack App with Next.js and TypeScript 

Create your Next.js project with TypeScript: 

Install the required packages: 

Your project now supports full stack development with TypeScript and is ready to connect to GraphQL and MongoDB. 

Connecting MongoDB with Next.js API Routes 

Set up MongoDB Atlas and get your connection URI. Then create lib/mongodb.ts: 

This ensures that MongoDB is connected efficiently with caching in place. Don’t forget to add your MONGODB_URI to .env.local. 

Building a Secure GraphQL API with MongoDB and Mongoose 

Create your GraphQL API route in pages/api/graphql.ts: 

This sets up a fully functional and secure GraphQL API with MongoDB. 

Creating a GraphQL Server in Next.js with Apollo 

Define your GraphQL schema in graphql/schema.ts: 

Defining Types and Interfaces with TypeScript for End-to-End Type Safety 

To get full end-to-end type safety, define TypeScript interfaces in models/User.ts: 

Implementing Queries and Mutations in a Full Stack App 

Add resolvers in graphql/resolvers.ts: 

Now your GraphQL server can perform basic queries and mutations. 

 

Best Practices for Using Mongoose and GraphQL in Next.js 

Here are some tips to follow when working with GraphQL and Mongoose in Next.js: 

• Modularize schema and resolver files. 
• Always validate user input before saving to the database. 
• Use environment variables for secrets. 
• Leverage TypeScript interfaces in GraphQL for consistent typing. 
• Consider pagination for large data sets. 

Optional: Real-Time Data Updates with MongoDB Change Streams 

If your app needs real-time features, you can implement GraphQL subscriptions using WebSockets. Combined with MongoDB change streams, this allows your front end to receive instant updates when the data changes. This setup requires moving from API routes to a custom Node.js server with Apollo Server and a WebSocket transport. 

Conclusion: Scaling and Securing Your Next.js + GraphQL Full Stack App 

You’ve now built a functional, scalable GraphQL API integrated with MongoDB using Next.js and TypeScript. This setup is ideal for any modern full stack app with Next.js and MongoDB. It offers powerful flexibility, full type safety, and modern tooling. 

To scale further: 

• Add authentication (e.g., NextAuth.js or Firebase Auth) 
• Integrate rate limiting and error handling middleware 
• Optimize performance with Apollo Client in Next.js and caching strategies 
• Use CI/CD for smooth deployments 

This Next.js GraphQL MongoDB example is ready to evolve into a production-grade solution.