Getting Started With Flutter Navigation Using Go Router

Introduction

Go Router is the recommended routing package for modern Flutter apps. It provides a declarative, URL-centered API that fits both mobile development and web targets. If you’re building a Flutter app that needs clean deep links, nested navigation, or predictable back-stack behavior, Go Router simplifies wiring routes into MaterialApp.router while making tests and state restoration easier.

Router Setup

Start by adding go_router to pubspec.yaml. Create a GoRouter instance and attach it to MaterialApp.router. Keep your routes centralized so navigation logic and URL structure are explicit.

final router = GoRouter(
  routes: [
    GoRoute(path: '/', builder: (c, s) => const HomePage()),
    GoRoute(path: '/items/:id', builder: (c, s) => ItemPage(id: s.params['id']!)),
  ],
);

void main() => runApp(MaterialApp.router(routerConfig: router));

This pattern replaces Navigator.push calls sprinkled across widgets. The router config controls parsing, redirection, and error handling in one place, improving maintainability for mobile development projects.

Declarative Routes And Parameters

Go Router is declarative: routes are defined as data, not as imperative push/pop calls. Path parameters and query parameters are available via the GoRouterState passed to route builders.

Access path parameters with state.params and query parameters with state.queryParams. Because builders receive state, UI can react directly to URL changes which is important for deep linking and testing.

Example: handling a route parameter and a search query.

GoRoute(
  path: '/search/:category',
  builder: (context, state) {
    final category = state.params['category']!;
    final q = state.queryParams['q'] ?? '';
    return SearchPage(category: category, query: q);
  },
),

Avoid embedding navigation logic inside widgets. Keep route-to-widget mapping in the router and use navigation helpers from widgets.

Navigation Actions And State

Use context.go('/path') for replacing the current location and context.push('/path') to push a new entry onto the stack. Both methods keep code simple and readable compared to Navigator.push. Use named routes if you prefer symbolic names but path-based routes are more explicit for mobile and web.

You can also read the current location via GoRouter.of(context).location. For conditional navigation (for example, authentication), implement a redirect callback on the router constructor. Redirects run before building the target route and return a new location if navigation should be rerouted.

Example redirect pattern:

• If the user is unauthenticated and tries to access a protected route, redirect to '/login'.

• After sign-in, use context.go('/protected') to land on the intended page.

Go Router's state-driven model makes it straightforward to write unit tests that assert that certain inputs (URL, auth flags) produce expected redirections or pages.

Nested Navigation And Shell Routes

Real-world apps often need nested navigation: a bottom navigation bar with independent stacks or tabbed interfaces. Go Router supports nested routes and ShellRoute for shell-based layouts.

Use ShellRoute to provide a persistent parent widget (like BottomNavigationBar) while child routes swap content inside the shell. Each child can have its own nested route tree, preserving their stacks independently.

Key design notes:

• Keep nested stacks shallow for clarity; deep nesting confuses back behavior.

• Use shell routes when the parent UI must remain while children change.

• Manage selected tab state via the URL so deep links open the correct tab and screen.

Example approach: a ShellRoute defines the scaffold with bottom navigation, and its subroutes map to tab content. Each tab's path appears in the URL so users can share links directly to a tab and a nested screen.

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Conclusion

Go Router brings declarative, URL-first routing to Flutter mobile development. Centralize route definitions, prefer context.go/context.push for navigation, and use GoRouterState to read params and query data. For complex app shells and tabbed layouts, ShellRoute and nested routes give predictable stack behavior and deep-linking support. Implement redirects for auth flows and write straightforward tests against your router configuration to keep navigation robust and maintainable.