Next.js: Client Component + Server Action Cookie Pattern

Pattern Overview

This pattern handles a common Next.js requirement: client-side interaction (button click) that needs to set server-side cookies.

Why Two Files?

• Client components ('use client') can have onClick handlers
• Only server code can set cookies (security requirement)
• Solution: Client component calls a server action that sets cookies

The Pattern

Scenario: A button that sets a cookie when clicked

File 1: Client Component (app/CookieButton.tsx)

• Has 'use client' directive
• Has onClick handler
• Imports and calls server action

File 2: Server Action (app/actions.ts)

• Has 'use server' directive
• Uses cookies() from next/headers
• Sets the cookie

Complete Implementation

File 1: Client Component

// app/CookieButton.tsx
'use client';

import { setPreference } from './actions';

export default function CookieButton() {
  const handleClick = async () => {
    await setPreference('dark-mode', 'true');
  };

  return (
    <button onClick={handleClick}>
      Enable Dark Mode
    </button>
  );
}

File 2: Server Action

// app/actions.ts
'use server';

import { cookies } from 'next/headers';

export async function setPreference(key: string, value: string) {
  const cookieStore = await cookies();

  cookieStore.set(key, value, {
    httpOnly: true,
    secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
    sameSite: 'lax',
    maxAge: 60 * 60 * 24 * 365, // 1 year
  });
}

File Structure

app/
├── CookieButton.tsx    ← Client component
├── actions.ts          ← Server actions
└── page.tsx            ← Uses CookieButton

TypeScript: NEVER Use any Type

This codebase has @typescript-eslint/no-explicit-any enabled.

// ❌ WRONG
async function setCookie(key: any, value: any) { ... }

// ✅ CORRECT
async function setCookie(key: string, value: string) { ... }

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Theme Toggle

// app/ThemeToggle.tsx
'use client';

import { useState } from 'react';
import { setTheme } from './actions';

export default function ThemeToggle() {
  const [theme, setLocalTheme] = useState('light');

  const toggle = async () => {
    const newTheme = theme === 'light' ? 'dark' : 'light';
    setLocalTheme(newTheme);
    await setTheme(newTheme);
  };

  return (
    <button onClick={toggle} className={theme}>
      {theme === 'light' ? '🌙' : '☀️'} Toggle Theme
    </button>
  );
}

// app/actions.ts
'use server';

import { cookies } from 'next/headers';

export async function setTheme(theme: 'light' | 'dark') {
  const cookieStore = await cookies();
  cookieStore.set('theme', theme, {
    httpOnly: false, // Allow client to read it
    maxAge: 60 * 60 * 24 * 365,
  });
}

Example 2: Accept Cookies Banner

// app/components/CookieBanner.tsx
'use client';

import { useState } from 'react';
import { acceptCookies } from '../actions';

export default function CookieBanner() {
  const [visible, setVisible] = useState(true);

  const handleAccept = async () => {
    await acceptCookies();
    setVisible(false);
  };

  if (!visible) return null;

  return (
    <div className="cookie-banner">
      <p>We use cookies to improve your experience.</p>
      <button onClick={handleAccept}>Accept</button>
    </div>
  );
}

// app/actions.ts
'use server';

import { cookies } from 'next/headers';

export async function acceptCookies() {
  const cookieStore = await cookies();
  cookieStore.set('cookies-accepted', 'true', {
    httpOnly: true,
    secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production',
    maxAge: 60 * 60 * 24 * 365,
  });
}

Example 3: Language Preference

// app/LanguageSelector.tsx
'use client';

import { setLanguage } from './actions';

export default