# A statically generated blog example using Next.js and TakeShape
This example showcases Next.js's [Static Generation](https://nextjs.org/docs/basic-features/pages) feature using [TakeShape](https://www.takeshape.io/) as the data source.
Execute [`create-next-app`](https://github.com/vercel/next.js/tree/canary/packages/create-next-app) with [npm](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/init) or [Yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/lang/en/docs/cli/create/) to bootstrap the example:
### Step 1. Create an account and a project on TakeShape
First, [create an account on TakeShape](https://www.takeshape.io/).
After creating an account, create a **new project** from the dashboard. You can select a **Blank Project**.
### Step 2. Create an `Author` model
From the project settings page, create a new **content type**.
- The title should be `Author`.
Next, drag these widgets:
- **Single Line** widget: Set the title as **Name**.
- **Asset** widget: Set the title as **Picture**.
When you’re done, click "Create Content Type".
### Step 3. Create a `Post` model
Click **Add Content Type** again.
- The title should be `Post`.
Next, add these fields (you don't have to modify the settings unless specified):
- **Single Line** widget: Set the title as **Title**.
- **Markdown** widget: Set the title as **Content**.
- **Single Line** widget: Set the title as **Excerpt**.
- **Asset** widget: Set the title as **Cover Image**.
- **Date** widget: Set the title as **Date**.
- **Single Line** widget: Set the title as **Slug**.
- **Relationship** widget: Set the title as **Author**, then set **Relationship Type** to `Single` and check the `Author` checkbox under **Allowed Content Types**.
When you’re done, click "Create Content Type".
### Step 4. Populate Content
Select **Author** and create a new record.
- You just need **1 Author record**.
- Use dummy data for the text.
- For the image, you can download one from [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/).
When you’re done, make sure to click **Enabled** under **Workflow Status**.
Next, select **Post** and create a new record.
- We recommend creating at least **2 Post records**.
- Use dummy data for the text.
- You can write markdown for the **Content** field.
- For the images, you can download ones from [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/).
- Pick the **Author** you created earlier.
When you’re done, make sure to click **Enabled** under **Workflow Status**.
### Step 5. Set up environment variables
From the dropdown next to the project name, click **API Keys**.
Create a new API Key with the **Read** permission.
Next, copy the `.env.example` file in this directory to `.env` (which will be ignored by Git):
```bash
cp .env.example .env
```
Then set each variable on `.env`:
-`NEXT_EXAMPLE_CMS_TAKESHAPE_API_KEY` should be the API token you just copied.
-`NEXT_EXAMPLE_CMS_TAKESHAPE_PROJECT_ID` should be the project ID, which is a substring in the project page URL: `https://app.takeshape.io/projects/<project-id>/...`
-`NEXT_EXAMPLE_CMS_TAKESHAPE_PREVIEW_SECRET` can be any random string (but avoid spaces), like `MY_SECRET` - this is used for [the Preview Mode](https://nextjs.org/docs/advanced-features/preview-mode).
Your blog should be up and running on [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000)! If it doesn't work, post on [GitHub discussions](https://github.com/vercel/next.js/discussions).
On TakeShape, create a new post like before. But **DO NOT** click **Enabled** under **Workflow Status**.
Now, if you go to `http://localhost:3000/posts/<slug>` (replace `<slug>`), you won’t see the post. However, if you use the **Preview Mode**, you'll be able to see the change ([Documentation](/docs/advanced-features/preview-mode.md)).
You can deploy this app to the cloud with [Vercel](https://vercel.com/import?filter=next.js&utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=next-example) ([Documentation](https://nextjs.org/docs/deployment)).
To deploy on Vercel, you need to set the environment variables with **Now Secrets** using [Vercel CLI](https://vercel.com/download) ([Documentation](https://vercel.com/docs/now-cli#commands/secrets)).
Install [Vercel CLI](https://vercel.com/download), log in to your account from the CLI, and run the following commands to add the environment variables. Replace `<NEXT_EXAMPLE_CMS_TAKESHAPE_API_KEY>` and `<NEXT_EXAMPLE_CMS_TAKESHAPE_PREVIEW_SECRET>` with the corresponding strings in `.env`.
Then push the project to GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket and [import to Vercel](https://vercel.com/import?filter=next.js&utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=next-example) to deploy.
