What is Progressive Web App (PWA)?

Progressive Web Apps combine the best of web and native apps, offering app-like experiences through modern web APIs. PWAs work offline, can be installed on devices, and provide push notifications.

PWA Features:

• Installable: Add to home screen like native apps
• Offline support: Service workers cache resources for offline use
• Push notifications: Re-engage users with notifications
• App-like UI: Full-screen experience without browser chrome
• Fast loading: Cached resources load instantly

PWA Configuration:

// next.config.js with PWA plugin
const withPWA = require('next-pwa')({
  dest: 'public',
  register: true,
  skipWaiting: true,
});

module.exports = withPWA(nextConfig);

Key benefits:

• Cross-platform: One codebase works everywhere
• No App Store: Deploy updates instantly without approval
• Discoverability: Indexed by search engines unlike native apps
• Lower development Cost: Single web technology stack

AI-Friendly: PWAs follow standard web patterns that AI understands well. AI can generate manifest files, configure service workers, implement caching strategies, and ensure PWA compliance with automated checks.