How to Add Neo4j GraphQL to Your Next.js App
Neo4j is a graph database that allows you to store relationships between objects. GraphQL is a highly flexible API that enables rapid software development lifecycle when adding new features to a product. The Neo4j GraphQL Library allows you to use GraphQL to perform operations on a graph database. This powerful library will allow you to build feature-rich applications in the near future with AI. In this blog post it will be about how to add Neo4j GraphQL to your Next.js app.
Jordan Wu
6 min·Posted
Table of Contents
What is Neo4j GraphQL?
It's a library that combines a Neo4j graph database with a GraphQL API endpoint. Both are amazing on their own which makes them more powerful together. The power they have to create amazing software in the future with AI is limitless. Neo4j has been working on their own AI tooling for next-generation GenAI apps with the help of knowledge graphs and how it's used with Large Language Model LLM. If you want to learn more about these technologies check out Neo4j Graph Database and How to Add GraphQL to Your Next.js App.
How to Add Neo4j GraphQL to Next.js App Router
The Neo4j GraphQL Library is all you need to add it to your Next.js app. There are a few steps you would need to get done before setting up the library in your code. The steps are going to be creating a graph database and using a browser tool to interact with your graph database.
Create Graph Database Using Neo4j AuraDB
There's a few ways to create a Neo4j graph database. This approach is in my opinion the best that will work locally and in other environments. Using Neo4j AuraDB a fully managed database that has a Free tier. To create an AuraDB Free instance in Neo4j AuraDB:
- Navigate to the Neo4j Aura Console in your browser.
- Select New Instance.
- Select Create Free instance.
- Copy and store the instance's Username and Generated password or download the credentials as a
.txtfile. - Tick the confirmation checkbox, and select Continue.
Note: You can only create one AuraDB Free instance per account.
You should see a text file in your download folder that has all your database credentials.
Seed Data With Neo4j Browser
Neo4j Browser is available as a web application at https://browser.neo4j.io/. Log into the web app using your database credentials. This is an app where you can run Cypher queries on your graph database. Run the following Cypher query to seed your database with movie graph data.
CREATE (TheMatrix:Movie {title:'The Matrix', released:1999, tagline:'Welcome to the Real World'})
CREATE (Keanu:Person {name:'Keanu Reeves', born:1964})
CREATE (Carrie:Person {name:'Carrie-Anne Moss', born:1967})
CREATE (Laurence:Person {name:'Laurence Fishburne', born:1961})
CREATE (Hugo:Person {name:'Hugo Weaving', born:1960})
CREATE (LillyW:Person {name:'Lilly Wachowski', born:1967})
CREATE (LanaW:Person {name:'Lana Wachowski', born:1965})
CREATE (JoelS:Person {name:'Joel Silver', born:1952})
CREATE
(Keanu)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Neo']}]->(TheMatrix),
(Carrie)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Trinity']}]->(TheMatrix),
(Laurence)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Morpheus']}]->(TheMatrix),
(Hugo)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Agent Smith']}]->(TheMatrix),
(LillyW)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheMatrix),
(LanaW)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheMatrix),
(JoelS)-[:PRODUCED]->(TheMatrix)
CREATE (Emil:Person {name:"Emil Eifrem", born:1978})
CREATE (Emil)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:["Emil"]}]->(TheMatrix)
CREATE (TheMatrixReloaded:Movie {title:'The Matrix Reloaded', released:2003, tagline:'Free your mind'})
CREATE
(Keanu)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Neo']}]->(TheMatrixReloaded),
(Carrie)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Trinity']}]->(TheMatrixReloaded),
(Laurence)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Morpheus']}]->(TheMatrixReloaded),
(Hugo)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Agent Smith']}]->(TheMatrixReloaded),
(LillyW)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheMatrixReloaded),
(LanaW)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheMatrixReloaded),
(JoelS)-[:PRODUCED]->(TheMatrixReloaded)
CREATE (TheMatrixRevolutions:Movie {title:'The Matrix Revolutions', released:2003, tagline:'Everything that has a beginning has an end'})
CREATE
(Keanu)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Neo']}]->(TheMatrixRevolutions),
(Carrie)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Trinity']}]->(TheMatrixRevolutions),
(Laurence)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Morpheus']}]->(TheMatrixRevolutions),
(Hugo)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Agent Smith']}]->(TheMatrixRevolutions),
(LillyW)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheMatrixRevolutions),
(LanaW)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheMatrixRevolutions),
(JoelS)-[:PRODUCED]->(TheMatrixRevolutions)
CREATE (TheDevilsAdvocate:Movie {title:"The Devil's Advocate", released:1997, tagline:'Evil has its winning ways'})
CREATE (Charlize:Person {name:'Charlize Theron', born:1975})
CREATE (Al:Person {name:'Al Pacino', born:1940})
CREATE (Taylor:Person {name:'Taylor Hackford', born:1944})
CREATE
(Keanu)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Kevin Lomax']}]->(TheDevilsAdvocate),
(Charlize)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Mary Ann Lomax']}]->(TheDevilsAdvocate),
(Al)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['John Milton']}]->(TheDevilsAdvocate),
(Taylor)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheDevilsAdvocate)
CREATE (AFewGoodMen:Movie {title:"A Few Good Men", released:1992, tagline:"In the heart of the nation's capital, in a courthouse of the U.S. government, one man will stop at nothing to keep his honor, and one will stop at nothing to find the truth."})
CREATE (TomC:Person {name:'Tom Cruise', born:1962})
CREATE (JackN:Person {name:'Jack Nicholson', born:1937})
CREATE (DemiM:Person {name:'Demi Moore', born:1962})
CREATE (KevinB:Person {name:'Kevin Bacon', born:1958})
CREATE (KieferS:Person {name:'Kiefer Sutherland', born:1966})
CREATE (NoahW:Person {name:'Noah Wyle', born:1971})
CREATE (CubaG:Person {name:'Cuba Gooding Jr.', born:1968})
CREATE (KevinP:Person {name:'Kevin Pollak', born:1957})
CREATE (JTW:Person {name:'J.T. Walsh', born:1943})
CREATE (JamesM:Person {name:'James Marshall', born:1967})
CREATE (ChristopherG:Person {name:'Christopher Guest', born:1948})
CREATE (RobR:Person {name:'Rob Reiner', born:1947})
CREATE (AaronS:Person {name:'Aaron Sorkin', born:1961})
CREATE
(TomC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Lt. Daniel Kaffee']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(JackN)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Col. Nathan R. Jessup']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(DemiM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(KevinB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Capt. Jack Ross']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(KieferS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Lt. Jonathan Kendrick']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(NoahW)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Cpl. Jeffrey Barnes']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(CubaG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Cpl. Carl Hammaker']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(KevinP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Lt. Sam Weinberg']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(JTW)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Lt. Col. Matthew Andrew Markinson']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(JamesM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Pfc. Louden Downey']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(ChristopherG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dr. Stone']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(AaronS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Man in Bar']}]->(AFewGoodMen),
(RobR)-[:DIRECTED]->(AFewGoodMen),
(AaronS)-[:WROTE]->(AFewGoodMen)
CREATE (TopGun:Movie {title:"Top Gun", released:1986, tagline:'I feel the need, the need for speed.'})
CREATE (KellyM:Person {name:'Kelly McGillis', born:1957})
CREATE (ValK:Person {name:'Val Kilmer', born:1959})
CREATE (AnthonyE:Person {name:'Anthony Edwards', born:1962})
CREATE (TomS:Person {name:'Tom Skerritt', born:1933})
CREATE (MegR:Person {name:'Meg Ryan', born:1961})
CREATE (TonyS:Person {name:'Tony Scott', born:1944})
CREATE (JimC:Person {name:'Jim Cash', born:1941})
CREATE
(TomC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Maverick']}]->(TopGun),
(KellyM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Charlie']}]->(TopGun),
(ValK)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Iceman']}]->(TopGun),
(AnthonyE)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Goose']}]->(TopGun),
(TomS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Viper']}]->(TopGun),
(MegR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Carole']}]->(TopGun),
(TonyS)-[:DIRECTED]->(TopGun),
(JimC)-[:WROTE]->(TopGun)
CREATE (JerryMaguire:Movie {title:'Jerry Maguire', released:2000, tagline:'The rest of his life begins now.'})
CREATE (ReneeZ:Person {name:'Renee Zellweger', born:1969})
CREATE (KellyP:Person {name:'Kelly Preston', born:1962})
CREATE (JerryO:Person {name:"Jerry O'Connell", born:1974})
CREATE (JayM:Person {name:'Jay Mohr', born:1970})
CREATE (BonnieH:Person {name:'Bonnie Hunt', born:1961})
CREATE (ReginaK:Person {name:'Regina King', born:1971})
CREATE (JonathanL:Person {name:'Jonathan Lipnicki', born:1996})
CREATE (CameronC:Person {name:'Cameron Crowe', born:1957})
CREATE
(TomC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jerry Maguire']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(CubaG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Rod Tidwell']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(ReneeZ)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dorothy Boyd']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(KellyP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Avery Bishop']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(JerryO)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Frank Cushman']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(JayM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Bob Sugar']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(BonnieH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Laurel Boyd']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(ReginaK)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Marcee Tidwell']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(JonathanL)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Ray Boyd']}]->(JerryMaguire),
(CameronC)-[:DIRECTED]->(JerryMaguire),
(CameronC)-[:PRODUCED]->(JerryMaguire),
(CameronC)-[:WROTE]->(JerryMaguire)
CREATE (StandByMe:Movie {title:"Stand By Me", released:1986, tagline:"For some, it's the last real taste of innocence, and the first real taste of life. But for everyone, it's the time that memories are made of."})
CREATE (RiverP:Person {name:'River Phoenix', born:1970})
CREATE (CoreyF:Person {name:'Corey Feldman', born:1971})
CREATE (WilW:Person {name:'Wil Wheaton', born:1972})
CREATE (JohnC:Person {name:'John Cusack', born:1966})
CREATE (MarshallB:Person {name:'Marshall Bell', born:1942})
CREATE
(WilW)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Gordie Lachance']}]->(StandByMe),
(RiverP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Chris Chambers']}]->(StandByMe),
(JerryO)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Vern Tessio']}]->(StandByMe),
(CoreyF)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Teddy Duchamp']}]->(StandByMe),
(JohnC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Denny Lachance']}]->(StandByMe),
(KieferS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Ace Merrill']}]->(StandByMe),
(MarshallB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Mr. Lachance']}]->(StandByMe),
(RobR)-[:DIRECTED]->(StandByMe)
CREATE (AsGoodAsItGets:Movie {title:'As Good as It Gets', released:1997, tagline:'A comedy from the heart that goes for the throat.'})
CREATE (HelenH:Person {name:'Helen Hunt', born:1963})
CREATE (GregK:Person {name:'Greg Kinnear', born:1963})
CREATE (JamesB:Person {name:'James L. Brooks', born:1940})
CREATE
(JackN)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Melvin Udall']}]->(AsGoodAsItGets),
(HelenH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Carol Connelly']}]->(AsGoodAsItGets),
(GregK)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Simon Bishop']}]->(AsGoodAsItGets),
(CubaG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Frank Sachs']}]->(AsGoodAsItGets),
(JamesB)-[:DIRECTED]->(AsGoodAsItGets)
CREATE (WhatDreamsMayCome:Movie {title:'What Dreams May Come', released:1998, tagline:'After life there is more. The end is just the beginning.'})
CREATE (AnnabellaS:Person {name:'Annabella Sciorra', born:1960})
CREATE (MaxS:Person {name:'Max von Sydow', born:1929})
CREATE (WernerH:Person {name:'Werner Herzog', born:1942})
CREATE (Robin:Person {name:'Robin Williams', born:1951})
CREATE (VincentW:Person {name:'Vincent Ward', born:1956})
CREATE
(Robin)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Chris Nielsen']}]->(WhatDreamsMayCome),
(CubaG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Albert Lewis']}]->(WhatDreamsMayCome),
(AnnabellaS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Annie Collins-Nielsen']}]->(WhatDreamsMayCome),
(MaxS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['The Tracker']}]->(WhatDreamsMayCome),
(WernerH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['The Face']}]->(WhatDreamsMayCome),
(VincentW)-[:DIRECTED]->(WhatDreamsMayCome)
CREATE (SnowFallingonCedars:Movie {title:'Snow Falling on Cedars', released:1999, tagline:'First loves last. Forever.'})
CREATE (EthanH:Person {name:'Ethan Hawke', born:1970})
CREATE (RickY:Person {name:'Rick Yune', born:1971})
CREATE (JamesC:Person {name:'James Cromwell', born:1940})
CREATE (ScottH:Person {name:'Scott Hicks', born:1953})
CREATE
(EthanH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Ishmael Chambers']}]->(SnowFallingonCedars),
(RickY)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Kazuo Miyamoto']}]->(SnowFallingonCedars),
(MaxS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Nels Gudmundsson']}]->(SnowFallingonCedars),
(JamesC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Judge Fielding']}]->(SnowFallingonCedars),
(ScottH)-[:DIRECTED]->(SnowFallingonCedars)
CREATE (YouveGotMail:Movie {title:"You've Got Mail", released:1998, tagline:'At odds in life... in love on-line.'})
CREATE (ParkerP:Person {name:'Parker Posey', born:1968})
CREATE (DaveC:Person {name:'Dave Chappelle', born:1973})
CREATE (SteveZ:Person {name:'Steve Zahn', born:1967})
CREATE (TomH:Person {name:'Tom Hanks', born:1956})
CREATE (NoraE:Person {name:'Nora Ephron', born:1941})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Joe Fox']}]->(YouveGotMail),
(MegR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Kathleen Kelly']}]->(YouveGotMail),
(GregK)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Frank Navasky']}]->(YouveGotMail),
(ParkerP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Patricia Eden']}]->(YouveGotMail),
(DaveC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Kevin Jackson']}]->(YouveGotMail),
(SteveZ)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['George Pappas']}]->(YouveGotMail),
(NoraE)-[:DIRECTED]->(YouveGotMail)
CREATE (SleeplessInSeattle:Movie {title:'Sleepless in Seattle', released:1993, tagline:'What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew was the only someone for you?'})
CREATE (RitaW:Person {name:'Rita Wilson', born:1956})
CREATE (BillPull:Person {name:'Bill Pullman', born:1953})
CREATE (VictorG:Person {name:'Victor Garber', born:1949})
CREATE (RosieO:Person {name:"Rosie O'Donnell", born:1962})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Sam Baldwin']}]->(SleeplessInSeattle),
(MegR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Annie Reed']}]->(SleeplessInSeattle),
(RitaW)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Suzy']}]->(SleeplessInSeattle),
(BillPull)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Walter']}]->(SleeplessInSeattle),
(VictorG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Greg']}]->(SleeplessInSeattle),
(RosieO)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Becky']}]->(SleeplessInSeattle),
(NoraE)-[:DIRECTED]->(SleeplessInSeattle)
CREATE (JoeVersustheVolcano:Movie {title:'Joe Versus the Volcano', released:1990, tagline:'A story of love, lava and burning desire.'})
CREATE (JohnS:Person {name:'John Patrick Stanley', born:1950})
CREATE (Nathan:Person {name:'Nathan Lane', born:1956})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Joe Banks']}]->(JoeVersustheVolcano),
(MegR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['DeDe', 'Angelica Graynamore', 'Patricia Graynamore']}]->(JoeVersustheVolcano),
(Nathan)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Baw']}]->(JoeVersustheVolcano),
(JohnS)-[:DIRECTED]->(JoeVersustheVolcano)
CREATE (WhenHarryMetSally:Movie {title:'When Harry Met Sally', released:1998, tagline:'Can two friends sleep together and still love each other in the morning?'})
CREATE (BillyC:Person {name:'Billy Crystal', born:1948})
CREATE (CarrieF:Person {name:'Carrie Fisher', born:1956})
CREATE (BrunoK:Person {name:'Bruno Kirby', born:1949})
CREATE
(BillyC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Harry Burns']}]->(WhenHarryMetSally),
(MegR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Sally Albright']}]->(WhenHarryMetSally),
(CarrieF)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Marie']}]->(WhenHarryMetSally),
(BrunoK)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jess']}]->(WhenHarryMetSally),
(RobR)-[:DIRECTED]->(WhenHarryMetSally),
(RobR)-[:PRODUCED]->(WhenHarryMetSally),
(NoraE)-[:PRODUCED]->(WhenHarryMetSally),
(NoraE)-[:WROTE]->(WhenHarryMetSally)
CREATE (ThatThingYouDo:Movie {title:'That Thing You Do', released:1996, tagline:'In every life there comes a time when that thing you dream becomes that thing you do'})
CREATE (LivT:Person {name:'Liv Tyler', born:1977})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Mr. White']}]->(ThatThingYouDo),
(LivT)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Faye Dolan']}]->(ThatThingYouDo),
(Charlize)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Tina']}]->(ThatThingYouDo),
(TomH)-[:DIRECTED]->(ThatThingYouDo)
CREATE (TheReplacements:Movie {title:'The Replacements', released:2000, tagline:'Pain heals, Chicks dig scars... Glory lasts forever'})
CREATE (Brooke:Person {name:'Brooke Langton', born:1970})
CREATE (Gene:Person {name:'Gene Hackman', born:1930})
CREATE (Orlando:Person {name:'Orlando Jones', born:1968})
CREATE (Howard:Person {name:'Howard Deutch', born:1950})
CREATE
(Keanu)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Shane Falco']}]->(TheReplacements),
(Brooke)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Annabelle Farrell']}]->(TheReplacements),
(Gene)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jimmy McGinty']}]->(TheReplacements),
(Orlando)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Clifford Franklin']}]->(TheReplacements),
(Howard)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheReplacements)
CREATE (RescueDawn:Movie {title:'RescueDawn', released:2006, tagline:"Based on the extraordinary true story of one man's fight for freedom"})
CREATE (ChristianB:Person {name:'Christian Bale', born:1974})
CREATE (ZachG:Person {name:'Zach Grenier', born:1954})
CREATE
(MarshallB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Admiral']}]->(RescueDawn),
(ChristianB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dieter Dengler']}]->(RescueDawn),
(ZachG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Squad Leader']}]->(RescueDawn),
(SteveZ)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Duane']}]->(RescueDawn),
(WernerH)-[:DIRECTED]->(RescueDawn)
CREATE (TheBirdcage:Movie {title:'The Birdcage', released:1996, tagline:'Come as you are'})
CREATE (MikeN:Person {name:'Mike Nichols', born:1931})
CREATE
(Robin)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Armand Goldman']}]->(TheBirdcage),
(Nathan)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Albert Goldman']}]->(TheBirdcage),
(Gene)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Sen. Kevin Keeley']}]->(TheBirdcage),
(MikeN)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheBirdcage)
CREATE (Unforgiven:Movie {title:'Unforgiven', released:1992, tagline:"It's a hell of a thing, killing a man"})
CREATE (RichardH:Person {name:'Richard Harris', born:1930})
CREATE (ClintE:Person {name:'Clint Eastwood', born:1930})
CREATE
(RichardH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['English Bob']}]->(Unforgiven),
(ClintE)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Bill Munny']}]->(Unforgiven),
(Gene)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Little Bill Daggett']}]->(Unforgiven),
(ClintE)-[:DIRECTED]->(Unforgiven)
CREATE (JohnnyMnemonic:Movie {title:'Johnny Mnemonic', released:1995, tagline:'The hottest data on earth. In the coolest head in town'})
CREATE (Takeshi:Person {name:'Takeshi Kitano', born:1947})
CREATE (Dina:Person {name:'Dina Meyer', born:1968})
CREATE (IceT:Person {name:'Ice-T', born:1958})
CREATE (RobertL:Person {name:'Robert Longo', born:1953})
CREATE
(Keanu)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Johnny Mnemonic']}]->(JohnnyMnemonic),
(Takeshi)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Takahashi']}]->(JohnnyMnemonic),
(Dina)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jane']}]->(JohnnyMnemonic),
(IceT)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['J-Bone']}]->(JohnnyMnemonic),
(RobertL)-[:DIRECTED]->(JohnnyMnemonic)
CREATE (CloudAtlas:Movie {title:'Cloud Atlas', released:2012, tagline:'Everything is connected'})
CREATE (HalleB:Person {name:'Halle Berry', born:1966})
CREATE (JimB:Person {name:'Jim Broadbent', born:1949})
CREATE (TomT:Person {name:'Tom Tykwer', born:1965})
CREATE (DavidMitchell:Person {name:'David Mitchell', born:1969})
CREATE (StefanArndt:Person {name:'Stefan Arndt', born:1961})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Zachry', 'Dr. Henry Goose', 'Isaac Sachs', 'Dermot Hoggins']}]->(CloudAtlas),
(Hugo)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Bill Smoke', 'Haskell Moore', 'Tadeusz Kesselring', 'Nurse Noakes', 'Boardman Mephi', 'Old Georgie']}]->(CloudAtlas),
(HalleB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Luisa Rey', 'Jocasta Ayrs', 'Ovid', 'Meronym']}]->(CloudAtlas),
(JimB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Vyvyan Ayrs', 'Captain Molyneux', 'Timothy Cavendish']}]->(CloudAtlas),
(TomT)-[:DIRECTED]->(CloudAtlas),
(LillyW)-[:DIRECTED]->(CloudAtlas),
(LanaW)-[:DIRECTED]->(CloudAtlas),
(DavidMitchell)-[:WROTE]->(CloudAtlas),
(StefanArndt)-[:PRODUCED]->(CloudAtlas)
CREATE (TheDaVinciCode:Movie {title:'The Da Vinci Code', released:2006, tagline:'Break The Codes'})
CREATE (IanM:Person {name:'Ian McKellen', born:1939})
CREATE (AudreyT:Person {name:'Audrey Tautou', born:1976})
CREATE (PaulB:Person {name:'Paul Bettany', born:1971})
CREATE (RonH:Person {name:'Ron Howard', born:1954})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dr. Robert Langdon']}]->(TheDaVinciCode),
(IanM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Sir Leight Teabing']}]->(TheDaVinciCode),
(AudreyT)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Sophie Neveu']}]->(TheDaVinciCode),
(PaulB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Silas']}]->(TheDaVinciCode),
(RonH)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheDaVinciCode)
CREATE (VforVendetta:Movie {title:'V for Vendetta', released:2006, tagline:'Freedom! Forever!'})
CREATE (NatalieP:Person {name:'Natalie Portman', born:1981})
CREATE (StephenR:Person {name:'Stephen Rea', born:1946})
CREATE (JohnH:Person {name:'John Hurt', born:1940})
CREATE (BenM:Person {name: 'Ben Miles', born:1967})
CREATE
(Hugo)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['V']}]->(VforVendetta),
(NatalieP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Evey Hammond']}]->(VforVendetta),
(StephenR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Eric Finch']}]->(VforVendetta),
(JohnH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['High Chancellor Adam Sutler']}]->(VforVendetta),
(BenM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dascomb']}]->(VforVendetta),
(JamesM)-[:DIRECTED]->(VforVendetta),
(LillyW)-[:PRODUCED]->(VforVendetta),
(LanaW)-[:PRODUCED]->(VforVendetta),
(JoelS)-[:PRODUCED]->(VforVendetta),
(LillyW)-[:WROTE]->(VforVendetta),
(LanaW)-[:WROTE]->(VforVendetta)
CREATE (SpeedRacer:Movie {title:'Speed Racer', released:2008, tagline:'Speed has no limits'})
CREATE (EmileH:Person {name:'Emile Hirsch', born:1985})
CREATE (JohnG:Person {name:'John Goodman', born:1960})
CREATE (SusanS:Person {name:'Susan Sarandon', born:1946})
CREATE (MatthewF:Person {name:'Matthew Fox', born:1966})
CREATE (ChristinaR:Person {name:'Christina Ricci', born:1980})
CREATE (Rain:Person {name:'Rain', born:1982})
CREATE
(EmileH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Speed Racer']}]->(SpeedRacer),
(JohnG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Pops']}]->(SpeedRacer),
(SusanS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Mom']}]->(SpeedRacer),
(MatthewF)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Racer X']}]->(SpeedRacer),
(ChristinaR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Trixie']}]->(SpeedRacer),
(Rain)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Taejo Togokahn']}]->(SpeedRacer),
(BenM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Cass Jones']}]->(SpeedRacer),
(LillyW)-[:DIRECTED]->(SpeedRacer),
(LanaW)-[:DIRECTED]->(SpeedRacer),
(LillyW)-[:WROTE]->(SpeedRacer),
(LanaW)-[:WROTE]->(SpeedRacer),
(JoelS)-[:PRODUCED]->(SpeedRacer)
CREATE (NinjaAssassin:Movie {title:'Ninja Assassin', released:2009, tagline:'Prepare to enter a secret world of assassins'})
CREATE (NaomieH:Person {name:'Naomie Harris'})
CREATE
(Rain)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Raizo']}]->(NinjaAssassin),
(NaomieH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Mika Coretti']}]->(NinjaAssassin),
(RickY)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Takeshi']}]->(NinjaAssassin),
(BenM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Ryan Maslow']}]->(NinjaAssassin),
(JamesM)-[:DIRECTED]->(NinjaAssassin),
(LillyW)-[:PRODUCED]->(NinjaAssassin),
(LanaW)-[:PRODUCED]->(NinjaAssassin),
(JoelS)-[:PRODUCED]->(NinjaAssassin)
CREATE (TheGreenMile:Movie {title:'The Green Mile', released:1999, tagline:"Walk a mile you'll never forget."})
CREATE (MichaelD:Person {name:'Michael Clarke Duncan', born:1957})
CREATE (DavidM:Person {name:'David Morse', born:1953})
CREATE (SamR:Person {name:'Sam Rockwell', born:1968})
CREATE (GaryS:Person {name:'Gary Sinise', born:1955})
CREATE (PatriciaC:Person {name:'Patricia Clarkson', born:1959})
CREATE (FrankD:Person {name:'Frank Darabont', born:1959})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Paul Edgecomb']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(MichaelD)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['John Coffey']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(DavidM)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Brutus "Brutal" Howell']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(BonnieH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jan Edgecomb']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(JamesC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Warden Hal Moores']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(SamR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['"Wild Bill" Wharton']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(GaryS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Burt Hammersmith']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(PatriciaC)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Melinda Moores']}]->(TheGreenMile),
(FrankD)-[:DIRECTED]->(TheGreenMile)
CREATE (FrostNixon:Movie {title:'Frost/Nixon', released:2008, tagline:'400 million people were waiting for the truth.'})
CREATE (FrankL:Person {name:'Frank Langella', born:1938})
CREATE (MichaelS:Person {name:'Michael Sheen', born:1969})
CREATE (OliverP:Person {name:'Oliver Platt', born:1960})
CREATE
(FrankL)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Richard Nixon']}]->(FrostNixon),
(MichaelS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['David Frost']}]->(FrostNixon),
(KevinB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jack Brennan']}]->(FrostNixon),
(OliverP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Bob Zelnick']}]->(FrostNixon),
(SamR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['James Reston, Jr.']}]->(FrostNixon),
(RonH)-[:DIRECTED]->(FrostNixon)
CREATE (Hoffa:Movie {title:'Hoffa', released:1992, tagline:"He didn't want law. He wanted justice."})
CREATE (DannyD:Person {name:'Danny DeVito', born:1944})
CREATE (JohnR:Person {name:'John C. Reilly', born:1965})
CREATE
(JackN)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Hoffa']}]->(Hoffa),
(DannyD)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Robert "Bobby" Ciaro']}]->(Hoffa),
(JTW)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Frank Fitzsimmons']}]->(Hoffa),
(JohnR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Peter "Pete" Connelly']}]->(Hoffa),
(DannyD)-[:DIRECTED]->(Hoffa)
CREATE (Apollo13:Movie {title:'Apollo 13', released:1995, tagline:'Houston, we have a problem.'})
CREATE (EdH:Person {name:'Ed Harris', born:1950})
CREATE (BillPax:Person {name:'Bill Paxton', born:1955})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jim Lovell']}]->(Apollo13),
(KevinB)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jack Swigert']}]->(Apollo13),
(EdH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Gene Kranz']}]->(Apollo13),
(BillPax)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Fred Haise']}]->(Apollo13),
(GaryS)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Ken Mattingly']}]->(Apollo13),
(RonH)-[:DIRECTED]->(Apollo13)
CREATE (Twister:Movie {title:'Twister', released:1996, tagline:"Don't Breathe. Don't Look Back."})
CREATE (PhilipH:Person {name:'Philip Seymour Hoffman', born:1967})
CREATE (JanB:Person {name:'Jan de Bont', born:1943})
CREATE
(BillPax)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Bill Harding']}]->(Twister),
(HelenH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dr. Jo Harding']}]->(Twister),
(ZachG)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Eddie']}]->(Twister),
(PhilipH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dustin "Dusty" Davis']}]->(Twister),
(JanB)-[:DIRECTED]->(Twister)
CREATE (CastAway:Movie {title:'Cast Away', released:2000, tagline:'At the edge of the world, his journey begins.'})
CREATE (RobertZ:Person {name:'Robert Zemeckis', born:1951})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Chuck Noland']}]->(CastAway),
(HelenH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Kelly Frears']}]->(CastAway),
(RobertZ)-[:DIRECTED]->(CastAway)
CREATE (OneFlewOvertheCuckoosNest:Movie {title:"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", released:1975, tagline:"If he's crazy, what does that make you?"})
CREATE (MilosF:Person {name:'Milos Forman', born:1932})
CREATE
(JackN)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Randle McMurphy']}]->(OneFlewOvertheCuckoosNest),
(DannyD)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Martini']}]->(OneFlewOvertheCuckoosNest),
(MilosF)-[:DIRECTED]->(OneFlewOvertheCuckoosNest)
CREATE (SomethingsGottaGive:Movie {title:"Something's Gotta Give", released:2003})
CREATE (DianeK:Person {name:'Diane Keaton', born:1946})
CREATE (NancyM:Person {name:'Nancy Meyers', born:1949})
CREATE
(JackN)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Harry Sanborn']}]->(SomethingsGottaGive),
(DianeK)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Erica Barry']}]->(SomethingsGottaGive),
(Keanu)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Julian Mercer']}]->(SomethingsGottaGive),
(NancyM)-[:DIRECTED]->(SomethingsGottaGive),
(NancyM)-[:PRODUCED]->(SomethingsGottaGive),
(NancyM)-[:WROTE]->(SomethingsGottaGive)
CREATE (BicentennialMan:Movie {title:'Bicentennial Man', released:1999, tagline:"One robot's 200 year journey to become an ordinary man."})
CREATE (ChrisC:Person {name:'Chris Columbus', born:1958})
CREATE
(Robin)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Andrew Marin']}]->(BicentennialMan),
(OliverP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Rupert Burns']}]->(BicentennialMan),
(ChrisC)-[:DIRECTED]->(BicentennialMan)
CREATE (CharlieWilsonsWar:Movie {title:"Charlie Wilson's War", released:2007, tagline:"A stiff drink. A little mascara. A lot of nerve. Who said they couldn't bring down the Soviet empire."})
CREATE (JuliaR:Person {name:'Julia Roberts', born:1967})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Rep. Charlie Wilson']}]->(CharlieWilsonsWar),
(JuliaR)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Joanne Herring']}]->(CharlieWilsonsWar),
(PhilipH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Gust Avrakotos']}]->(CharlieWilsonsWar),
(MikeN)-[:DIRECTED]->(CharlieWilsonsWar)
CREATE (ThePolarExpress:Movie {title:'The Polar Express', released:2004, tagline:'This Holiday Season... Believe'})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Hero Boy', 'Father', 'Conductor', 'Hobo', 'Scrooge', 'Santa Claus']}]->(ThePolarExpress),
(RobertZ)-[:DIRECTED]->(ThePolarExpress)
CREATE (ALeagueofTheirOwn:Movie {title:'A League of Their Own', released:1992, tagline:'Once in a lifetime you get a chance to do something different.'})
CREATE (Madonna:Person {name:'Madonna', born:1954})
CREATE (GeenaD:Person {name:'Geena Davis', born:1956})
CREATE (LoriP:Person {name:'Lori Petty', born:1963})
CREATE (PennyM:Person {name:'Penny Marshall', born:1943})
CREATE
(TomH)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Jimmy Dugan']}]->(ALeagueofTheirOwn),
(GeenaD)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Dottie Hinson']}]->(ALeagueofTheirOwn),
(LoriP)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Kit Keller']}]->(ALeagueofTheirOwn),
(RosieO)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Doris Murphy']}]->(ALeagueofTheirOwn),
(Madonna)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['"All the Way" Mae Mordabito']}]->(ALeagueofTheirOwn),
(BillPax)-[:ACTED_IN {roles:['Bob Hinson']}]->(ALeagueofTheirOwn),
(PennyM)-[:DIRECTED]->(ALeagueofTheirOwn)
CREATE (PaulBlythe:Person {name:'Paul Blythe'})
CREATE (AngelaScope:Person {name:'Angela Scope'})
CREATE (JessicaThompson:Person {name:'Jessica Thompson'})
CREATE (JamesThompson:Person {name:'James Thompson'})
CREATE
(JamesThompson)-[:FOLLOWS]->(JessicaThompson),
(AngelaScope)-[:FOLLOWS]->(JessicaThompson),
(PaulBlythe)-[:FOLLOWS]->(AngelaScope)
CREATE
(JessicaThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'An amazing journey', rating:95}]->(CloudAtlas),
(JessicaThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'Silly, but fun', rating:65}]->(TheReplacements),
(JamesThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'The coolest football movie ever', rating:100}]->(TheReplacements),
(AngelaScope)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'Pretty funny at times', rating:62}]->(TheReplacements),
(JessicaThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'Dark, but compelling', rating:85}]->(Unforgiven),
(JessicaThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:"Slapstick redeemed only by the Robin Williams and Gene Hackman's stellar performances", rating:45}]->(TheBirdcage),
(JessicaThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'A solid romp', rating:68}]->(TheDaVinciCode),
(JamesThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'Fun, but a little far fetched', rating:65}]->(TheDaVinciCode),
(JessicaThompson)-[:REVIEWED {summary:'You had me at Jerry', rating:92}]->(JerryMaguire)
This will created 171 nodes, 253 relationships, and 564 properties. Now you can use the graph to know what movies Keanu Reeves acted in and who were the directors.
MATCH (a:Person {name: 'Keanu Reeves'})-[:ACTED_IN]->(m)<-[:DIRECTED]-(d) RETURN a,m,d LIMIT 10;
Setup
Install the following dependencies:
pnpmyarnnpm
pnpm add @neo4j/graphql neo4j-driver graphql graphql-yoga
Next you can set up your environment variables to access your graph database. You can store them in your local .env file.
.env.local
NEO4J_URI="NEO4J_URI"
NEO4J_USERNAME="NEO4J_USERNAME"
NEO4J_PASSWORD="NEO4J_PASSWORD"
Be sure to add the environment variable to your cloud deployment platform, for me that will be Vercel, Declare an Environment Variable.
Create GraphQL Schema
You would need to define your GraphQl schema depending on what graph data you want to store. You seeded your database with movie data so the schema will be based on the data already in your database. Create a schema.ts in /api/neo4j-graphql directory, a GraphQL for Neo4j.
src/app/api/neo4j-graphql/schema.tsimport neo4j from 'neo4j-driver'
import { Neo4jGraphQL } from '@neo4j/graphql'
const typeDefs = `
type Person {
name: String! @unique
actedInMovies: [Movie!]! @relationship(type: "ACTED_IN", properties: "ActedIn", direction: OUT)
directedMovies: [Movie!]! @relationship(type: "DIRECTED", direction: OUT)
producedMovies: [Movie!]! @relationship(type: "PRODUCED", direction: OUT)
wroteMovies: [Movie!]! @relationship(type: "WROTE", direction: OUT)
}
type Movie {
title: String! @unique
actors: [Person!]! @relationship(type: "ACTED_IN", properties: "ActedIn", direction: IN)
directors: [Person!]! @relationship(type: "DIRECTED", direction: IN)
producers: [Person!]! @relationship(type: "PRODUCED", direction: IN)
writers: [Person!]! @relationship(type: "WROTE", direction: IN)
}
type ActedIn @relationshipProperties {
roles: [String!]
}
`
const uri = process.env.NEO4J_URI as string
const username = process.env.NEO4J_USERNAME as string
const password = process.env.NEO4J_PASSWORD as string
const driver = neo4j.driver(uri, neo4j.auth.basic(username, password))
const neo4jGraphAL = new Neo4jGraphQL({ typeDefs, driver })
export const schema = neo4jGraphAL.getSchema()
The requirement for the GraphQL schema is the type definition and the database driver. The type definition is used to define what our graph looks like, which is two nodes called Person and Movie along with the relationships. There are four types of relationships: ACTED_IN, DIRECTED, PRODUCED, and WROTE. This will be all you need to create the GraphQL schema.
Add GraphQL Route
Now to create the GraphQL endpoint for your Next.js app. Add a file called route.ts in /api/neo4j-graphql directory.
src/app/api/neo4j-graphql/route.tsimport { createYoga } from 'graphql-yoga'
import { schema } from './schema'
import type { NextApiRequest, NextApiResponse } from 'next'
const { handleRequest } = createYoga<{
req: NextApiRequest
res: NextApiResponse
}>({
schema,
graphqlEndpoint: '/api/neo4j-graphql',
fetchAPI: { Response },
})
export { handleRequest as GET, handleRequest as POST, handleRequest as OPTIONS }
That is all you need to add GraphQL to your Next.js app that will interact with your graph database! What is great about this library is it defines all the queries and mutations for you. All you need is to understand how to use the existing queries by looking at the GraphQL docs.
Testing in Postman
You can test the API with Postman or any other tools used for GraphQL API testing. To test locally you would want to make a POST HTTPS request to localhost:3000/api/neo4j-graphql.
As you can see all the queries and mutations you can call in your GraphQL endpoint.
How to use this GraphQL to fetch data you want. For example, fetching the person name Keanu Reeves and seeing all the movies he acted in, directed, produced, and wrote.
query People {
people(where: { name_CONTAINS: "Keanu Reeves" }) {
name
actedInMovies {
title
}
directedMovies {
title
}
producedMovies {
title
}
wroteMovies {
title
}
}
}
Output:
{
"data": {
"people": [
{
"name": "Keanu Reeves",
"actedInMovies": [
{
"title": "The Matrix"
},
{
"title": "The Matrix Reloaded"
},
{
"title": "The Matrix Revolutions"
},
{
"title": "The Devil's Advocate"
},
{
"title": "The Replacements"
},
{
"title": "Johnny Mnemonic"
},
{
"title": "Something's Gotta Give"
}
],
"directedMovies": [],
"producedMovies": [],
"wroteMovies": []
}
]
}
}
What about fetching a movie called The Matrix and seeing all the actors with their roles, directors, producers, and writers.
query Movies {
movies(where: { title: "The Matrix" }) {
title
actors {
name
actedInMoviesConnection(where: null) {
edges {
properties {
roles
}
}
}
}
directors {
name
}
producers {
name
}
writers {
name
}
}
}
Output:
{
"data": {
"movies": [
{
"title": "The Matrix",
"actors": [
{
"name": "Keanu Reeves",
"actedInMoviesConnection": {
"edges": [
{
"properties": {
"roles": [
"Neo"
]
}
}
]
}
},
{
"name": "Carrie-Anne Moss",
"actedInMoviesConnection": {
"edges": [
{
"properties": {
"roles": [
"Trinity"
]
}
}
]
}
},
{
"name": "Laurence Fishburne",
"actedInMoviesConnection": {
"edges": [
{
"properties": {
"roles": [
"Morpheus"
]
}
}
]
}
},
{
"name": "Hugo Weaving",
"actedInMoviesConnection": {
"edges": [
{
"properties": {
"roles": [
"Agent Smith"
]
}
}
]
}
},
{
"name": "Emil Eifrem",
"actedInMoviesConnection": {
"edges": [
{
"properties": {
"roles": [
"Emil"
]
}
}
]
}
}
],
"directors": [
{
"name": "Lilly Wachowski"
},
{
"name": "Lana Wachowski"
}
],
"producers": [
{
"name": "Joel Silver"
}
],
"writers": []
}
]
}
}
For more information about mutation queries check out the docs on Mutations. You can use Neo4j GraphQL Toolbox to start experimenting or https://movies.neo4j-graphql.com/.
Summary
A graph database is very useful when building features that involve relationships. Relationships are a way for you to understand data and to use the data to get recommendations. For example, Netflix uses complex relationships between users, the content they watch, their ratings, and their viewing habits to make more accurate and personalized recommendations. With the Neo4j GraphQL library it allows you to use GraphQL for quicker development. In this blog post you added Neo4j GraphQL to your Next.js app.
