# Error: Invalid rewrite destination. Rewrite destination must be a relative path or an absolute URL within the same application.

- **ID:** `nextjs/rewrite-invalid-destination`
- **Domain:** nextjs
- **Category:** config_error
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

A rewrite rule in next.config.js has a `destination` that points to an external URL (e.g., https://other-site.com) or an invalid path, but rewrites in Next.js are only allowed to redirect to internal routes within the same application.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Next.js 13.0.0 | active | — | — |
| Next.js 14.0.0 | active | — | — |
| Next.js 14.2.0 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Change the destination to a relative path within the app. Example: `rewrites: async () => [{ source: '/old-path', destination: '/new-path' }]`. If you need to proxy an external API, use an API route instead.** (95% success)
   ```
   Change the destination to a relative path within the app. Example: `rewrites: async () => [{ source: '/old-path', destination: '/new-path' }]`. If you need to proxy an external API, use an API route instead.
   ```
2. **If proxying an external API is required, create an API route that fetches from the external URL and returns the response. Example: In app/api/proxy/route.ts, use `fetch('https://other-site.com/api/data')` and return the result.** (90% success)
   ```
   If proxying an external API is required, create an API route that fetches from the external URL and returns the response. Example: In app/api/proxy/route.ts, use `fetch('https://other-site.com/api/data')` and return the result.
   ```
3. **Use middleware to rewrite requests to external URLs by returning a Response object with the external content. Example: In middleware.ts, `return fetch('https://other-site.com' + request.nextUrl.pathname)`.** (80% success)
   ```
   Use middleware to rewrite requests to external URLs by returning a Response object with the external content. Example: In middleware.ts, `return fetch('https://other-site.com' + request.nextUrl.pathname)`.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — The destination is still external; Next.js does not allow rewrites to external URLs regardless of formatting. (100% fail)
- **** — Redirects to external URLs are allowed, but if the intent was to proxy content (rewrite), this changes the URL in the browser, which may not be desired. (50% fail)
- **** — The basePath option only affects the application's own URL prefix, not rewrite destinations; the error will persist. (95% fail)