Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)
A hybrid rendering mode that serves cached static HTML and regenerates pages in the background on a schedule or on-demand.
In long form.
ISR (a Next.js term, equivalent patterns exist in Remix, Astro, etc.) gives you the speed of SSG with the freshness of SSR. The first request after a stale interval serves the existing static HTML, then triggers a background regeneration. Subsequent requests serve the new version. Combined with on-demand revalidation (`revalidatePath()` from a webhook or admin action), you get instant updates without rebuilds. Trade-off: the user who triggered the regeneration gets the slightly-stale version; everyone after gets fresh.
We use ISR for any content backed by a CMS — articles, glossary terms, case studies. The CMS afterChange hook calls revalidatePath, the page is regenerated within seconds, and cached at the edge until the next change.
Talk to us about your engagement.
Discovery calls are free. Scope, timelines, and pricing are quoted after we understand what you’re solving.