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Nextjs Auth0

Nextjs Auth0

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Lior Amsalem
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4 min read

next js auth0

Next.js is a powerful framework built on top of React that enables developers to create dynamic and performant web applications with ease. It offers features such as server-side rendering, static site generation, and API routes, which streamline the development process and enhance user experience. To better understand Next.js, it’s helpful to differentiate between frameworks and libraries.

A library is a collection of reusable code that developers can call upon to perform specific tasks; it provides tools that help you build your application. For example, React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces, allowing developers to create components and manage state. In contrast, a framework is a more comprehensive structure that provides a foundation and guidelines for building applications. It often comes with predefined architecture, tools, and best practices, aiding in faster development while enforcing certain conventions.

Next.js is considered a framework because it includes React at its core but extends its capabilities by providing routing, file system-based routing, API integration, and server-side functionalities. This allows developers to build applications that are not only interactive but also optimized for performance and SEO.

In this article, we will explore how to integrate Auth0, an intelligent authentication and authorization platform, with Next.js. This integration is essential for applications that require user authentication, enabling secure and scalable user management.

Before diving into the implementation, if you're eager to learn more about Next.js or wish to enhance your coding skills using AI tools like gpteach, be sure to subscribe to my blog for more insights and updates!

What is Auth0?

Auth0 is a flexible, drop-in solution to add authentication and authorization services to your applications. It provides various authentication methods, including passwordless, social logins, and single sign-on (SSO), allowing developers to implement user authentication without building complex systems from scratch.

Setting Up Next.js with Auth0

To get started, you will need to set up a Next.js project if you don’t have one already. You can create a new Next.js application by running:

npx create-next-app@latest my-nextjs-auth0-app
cd my-nextjs-auth0-app

Next, install the necessary libraries for Auth0. You can do this by running:

npm install @auth0/nextjs-auth0

Configuring Auth0

You will need to create a new application on the Auth0 dashboard. Once your application is created, note your Domain, Client ID, and Client Secret, as these will be required for the configuration.

Create a .env.local file at the root of your project and add the following environment variables:

AUTH0_SECRET='a long, randomly-generated string' // You can generate one using crypto
AUTH0_BASE_URL='http://localhost:3000' // Your Next.js app URL
AUTH0_ISSUER_BASE_URL='https://<your-auth0-domain>' // Your Auth0 domain
AUTH0_CLIENT_ID='<your-auth0-client-id>' // The Client ID
AUTH0_CLIENT_SECRET='<your-auth0-client-secret>' // The Client Secret

Implementing Auth0 in Next.js

Next, we’ll integrate Auth0 into our Next.js application. Create a new folder named pages/api/auth and add a file named [...auth0].js. This file will serve as the API route for managing authentication.

// pages/api/auth/[...auth0].js
import { handleAuth } from '@auth0/nextjs-auth0';

export default handleAuth();

This code uses the handleAuth function from the Auth0 SDK to automatically handle the authentication callbacks needed for login and logout.

Creating Login and Logout Buttons

You can now create buttons for logging in and out. Create a new file named login.tsx under the pages directory.

// pages/login.tsx
import { useUser } from '@auth0/nextjs-auth0/client';
import Link from 'next/link';

export default function Login() {
  const { user, isLoading } = useUser();

  if (isLoading) return <div>Loading...</div>;

  return (
    <div>
      {!user ? (
        <a href="/api/auth/login">Login</a>
      ) : (
        <>
          <p>Welcome, {user.name}!</p>
          <a href="/api/auth/logout">Logout</a>
        </>
      )}
    </div>
  );
}

Viewing User Information

You can display user information by creating a protected route. Use the withPageAuthRequired function to ensure that only authenticated users can access specific pages.

For example, create a new file named profile.tsx:

// pages/profile.tsx
import { withPageAuthRequired, UserProfile } from '@auth0/nextjs-auth0/client';

export default function Profile() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>User Profile</h1>
      <UserProfile />
    </div>
  );
}

export const getServerSideProps = withPageAuthRequired();

Conclusion

Integrating Auth0 with Next.js significantly simplifies the authentication process, allowing developers to focus on building features rather than worrying about user management. With these steps, you can set up user authentication seamlessly in your Next.js applications.

As you continue to explore Next.js and its features, remember to stay updated with the latest changes in the Next.js ecosystem, such as the advancements introduced with Next.js 15, including improved data fetching and route management.

For ongoing learning in Next.js and to utilize tools like gpteach for honing your coding skills, subscribe to our blog for more insightful content!

Software Engineering