File-based routing in Svelte

Introduction

File-based routing lets you create web pages by making files. Each file becomes a page automatically.

When building a website with many pages and you want simple navigation.

When you want to add or remove pages quickly without writing extra code.

When you want your folder structure to match your website's URL paths.

When you want to avoid manually setting up routes in your app.

When you want to keep your project organized and easy to understand.

Syntax

Svelte

src/routes/
  +page.svelte
  about/+page.svelte
  blog/[slug]/+page.svelte

Each +page.svelte file inside src/routes folder becomes a route.

Folders inside src/routes create URL paths. Square brackets [ ] define dynamic parts.

Examples

This file creates the home page at URL /.

Svelte

src/routes/+page.svelte

This file creates the about page at URL /about.

Svelte

src/routes/about/+page.svelte

This file creates dynamic blog pages like /blog/post1 or /blog/post2. The [slug] part changes based on the URL.

Svelte

src/routes/blog/[slug]/+page.svelte

Sample Program

This example shows three pages: home, about, and a dynamic blog post page. The blog page changes content based on the URL part after /blog/.

Svelte

// File: src/routes/+page.svelte
<script>
  let message = "Welcome to the home page!";
</script>

<h1>{message}</h1>

// File: src/routes/about/+page.svelte
<script>
  let info = "This is the about page.";
</script>

<h1>About</h1>
<p>{info}</p>

// File: src/routes/blog/[slug]/+page.svelte
<script>
  import { page } from '$app/stores';
</script>

<h1>Blog Post: {$page.params.slug}</h1>
<p>This page shows the blog post with slug: {$page.params.slug}</p>

Important Notes

Dynamic routes use [param] syntax to capture URL parts.

File names must be +page.svelte for pages to work.

Nested folders create nested URLs automatically.

Summary

File-based routing creates pages from files and folders.

Use +page.svelte files inside src/routes to make pages.

Dynamic routes use square brackets to capture URL parts.

Practice

1. What does a +page.svelte file inside src/routes represent in SvelteKit?

easy

A. A page that users can visit via a URL

B. A component that cannot be accessed directly

C. A configuration file for routing

D. A style sheet for the app

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of +page.svelte

   In SvelteKit, +page.svelte files define pages that users can visit through URLs.

2. Step 2: Connect file location to URL

   Files inside src/routes map directly to URL paths, so +page.svelte creates a page at that path.

3. Final Answer:

   A page that users can visit via a URL -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   File-based routing means files = pages [OK]

Hint: Remember: +page.svelte files become pages [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking +page.svelte is just a component
• Confusing routing config with page files
• Assuming styles are defined in +page.svelte

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a dynamic route for a user profile page in SvelteKit?

easy

A. src/routes/user/id/+page.svelte

B. src/routes/user/{id}/+page.svelte

C. src/routes/user/:id/+page.svelte

D. src/routes/user/[id]/+page.svelte

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify dynamic route syntax in SvelteKit

   SvelteKit uses square brackets [param] to define dynamic route parameters.

2. Step 2: Match the correct folder structure

   The folder src/routes/user/[id] captures the id part dynamically for user profiles.

3. Final Answer:

   src/routes/user/[id]/+page.svelte -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Dynamic routes use square brackets [OK]

Hint: Use square brackets for dynamic route folders [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using curly braces or colons instead of square brackets
• Placing dynamic parameter in file name instead of folder
• Omitting the +page.svelte file

3. Given the folder structure:

src/routes/
  +page.svelte
  about/+page.svelte
  blog/[slug]/+page.svelte

What URL will render the blog/[slug]/+page.svelte page when visiting /blog/hello-world?

medium

A. /blog/slug/hello-world

B. /blog/[slug]

C. /blog/hello-world

D. /blog/hello-world/+page

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand dynamic route matching

   The folder blog/[slug] matches any URL starting with /blog/ followed by any value as slug.

2. Step 2: Match URL to folder structure

   The URL /blog/hello-world matches the dynamic route [slug] with slug = 'hello-world'.

3. Final Answer:

   /blog/hello-world -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Dynamic folder matches URL part directly [OK]

Hint: Dynamic folders match URL parts exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing literal folder names with dynamic parameters
• Expecting the URL to include brackets
• Adding extra path segments incorrectly

4. You created a file src/routes/blog/[id].svelte instead of src/routes/blog/[id]/+page.svelte. What will happen when you visit /blog/123?

medium

A. The page will not load; routing fails because the file is misplaced

B. The page loads correctly showing the blog with id 123

C. A syntax error occurs during build

D. The app shows a 404 page

Solution

1. Step 1: Check correct file placement for routing

   SvelteKit requires dynamic routes to be folders with +page.svelte inside, not files named with brackets.

2. Step 2: Understand routing failure

   Placing [id].svelte as a file breaks routing because SvelteKit expects [id] as a folder.

3. Final Answer:

   The page will not load; routing fails because the file is misplaced -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Dynamic routes need folders with +page.svelte [OK]

Hint: Dynamic routes must be folders with +page.svelte inside [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Naming dynamic routes as files instead of folders
• Expecting SvelteKit to accept bracketed filenames
• Ignoring folder structure rules for routing

5. You want to create nested routes for category pages (/shop/electronics) and product pages (/shop/electronics/123) with a dynamic category and product ID. Which folder structure correctly implements this in SvelteKit?

hard

A. src/routes/shop/[category]/[product]/+page.svelte

B. src/routes/shop/[category]/+page.svelte and src/routes/shop/[category]/[product]/+page.svelte

C. src/routes/shop/[category]-[product]/+page.svelte

D. src/routes/shop/+page.svelte with query params for category and product

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand nested dynamic routes

   To handle URLs like /shop/electronics (category) and /shop/electronics/123 (product), you need nested folders: one for [category] and inside it one for [product].

2. Step 2: Confirm folder structure with pages

   Each folder can have its own +page.svelte. So src/routes/shop/[category]/+page.svelte can show category info, and src/routes/shop/[category]/[product]/+page.svelte shows product details.

3. Final Answer:

   src/routes/shop/[category]/+page.svelte and src/routes/shop/[category]/[product]/+page.svelte -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Nested folders for nested dynamic routes [OK]

Hint: Use nested folders for nested dynamic routes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting multiple params in one folder name
• Using query params instead of folder structure
• Not nesting folders for nested routes