next.js/docs/01-app/03-api-reference/05-config/01-next-config-js/distDir.mdx

---
title: distDir
description: Set a custom build directory to use instead of the default .next directory.
---

{/* The content of this doc is shared between the app and pages router. You can use the `<PagesOnly>Content</PagesOnly>` component to add content that is specific to the Pages Router. Any shared content should not be wrapped in a component. */}

You can specify a name to use for a custom build directory to use instead of `.next`.

Open `next.config.js` and add the `distDir` config:

```js filename="next.config.js"
module.exports = {
  distDir: 'build',
}
```

Now if you run `next build` Next.js will use `build` instead of the default `.next` folder.

> `distDir` **should not** leave your project directory. For example, `../build` is an **invalid** directory.