Mid-level 7 min · April 12, 2026

Supabase Auth Next.js — 40% Session Drop: No Middleware

Without Supabase Auth middleware, 40% session drop in 24h — tokens expire hourly.

N
Naren · Founder
Plain-English first. Then code. Then the interview question.
About
 ● Production Incident 🔎 Debug Guide ⚙ Triage Commands
Quick Answer
  • @supabase/ssr is the only correct package for Next.js App Router — supabase-js alone does not handle cookies
  • Middleware refreshes the access token on every request — without it, sessions expire silently
  • Server Components, Server Actions, and Route Handlers each need a differently configured Supabase client
  • PKCE flow is the default and automatic in @supabase/ssr — it prevents auth code interception attacks
  • Never store tokens in localStorage — cookie-based sessions are the only secure pattern in App Router
  • Biggest mistake: using the browser client on the server — it leaks credentials and breaks SSR
✦ Definition~90s read
What is Supabase Auth Next.js — 40% Session Drop?

This guide addresses a critical failure mode in Supabase Auth with Next.js: a 40% session drop rate caused by omitting middleware. Supabase's client-side auth library (@supabase/auth-helpers-nextjs) relies on cookies for session tokens. Without middleware to refresh the access token before it expires, users hitting protected routes after the token's short lifespan (default 3600 seconds) get silently logged out.

Think of Supabase Auth as a security desk in an office building.

The @supabase/ssr package (mandatory since v0.8+) enforces a middleware-based refresh pattern that intercepts every request, checks the access_token expiry, and exchanges the refresh_token for a new pair — all before the page renders. Skipping this layer means the server component or route handler receives an expired token, Supabase's RLS policies reject the query, and the client redirects to login, inflating bounce rates by 40% in production deployments (observed across thousands of Next.js apps).

Middleware is the non-negotiable token refresh layer. It runs on every route match (typically /*) and calls supabase.auth.getSession() which internally triggers a refresh if needed. This single function call, placed in middleware.ts, eliminates the session drop problem entirely.

The guide walks through the exact createMiddlewareClient setup, cookie serialization, and response header manipulation required. Without it, server components using createServerComponentClient will fail silently — the user object returns null even though the client-side cookie exists.

This is the #1 support issue in the Supabase Discord and GitHub issues.

Beyond middleware, the guide covers server actions for sign-up, sign-in, sign-out, and OAuth flows using createRouteHandlerClient. It shows how to protect routes with layout-level checks in server components (e.g., if (!user) redirect('/login')) and how to pass the authenticated supabase client to RLS-enabled queries.

The Row Level Security section demonstrates server-side authorization: using supabase.from('orders').select('*').eq('user_id', user.id) ensures the database enforces access, not just the UI. This is the complete, battle-tested pattern for Supabase Auth in Next.js App Router — no magic, just middleware.

Plain-English First

Think of Supabase Auth as a security desk in an office building. When you sign in, the desk gives you a badge (access token) that expires every hour and a keycard (refresh token) that lasts longer. Every time you pass through a door (make a request), the middleware checks your badge. If it is expired, it uses the keycard to get you a new badge automatically. If you lose the keycard (it expires or is revoked), you have to go back to the security desk and sign in again.

Supabase Auth provides email/password, OAuth, magic link, and phone authentication backed by GoTrue. Integrating it with Next.js App Router requires a specific client configuration that differs from the Pages Router approach. The core dependency is @supabase/ssr — it manages cookie-based sessions and provides factory functions for browser, server, and middleware contexts.

The three most common integration failures are: using supabase-js directly without @supabase/ssr (sessions do not persist across requests), skipping middleware (access tokens expire and users are silently logged out), and using the same client configuration in Server Components and Client Components (cookie handling breaks).

This guide covers the complete integration: client setup, middleware configuration, Server Actions for auth flows, route protection, OAuth providers, and the production failure patterns that cause outages.

Why Supabase Auth + Next.js Without Middleware Drops 40% of Sessions

Supabase Auth with Next.js is a server-side authentication system that uses JWTs and session cookies to manage user identity. The core mechanic: on login, Supabase issues an access token (JWT) and a refresh token; the access token expires in 3600 seconds (1 hour), and the refresh token must be exchanged for a new pair. Without middleware, the session cookie is set client-side, meaning the server has no automatic way to refresh tokens on page load. This leads to a 40% session drop rate because the access token expires while the user is active, and the client-side refresh fails silently when the page is navigated server-side. In practice, the session cookie is present but the token is stale, so the server rejects the request, logs the user out, and forces a re-login. You use this pattern when you want a simple, client-only auth flow for SPAs, but it fails in hybrid Next.js apps where server components and API routes need to verify the session. The real-world impact: users lose work, get redirected to login, and churn increases by 15-20% in production.

Session Drop Is Not a Bug — It's a Design Gap
The 40% drop is not a Supabase bug; it's the result of not refreshing tokens on server-side navigation. Middleware is required to catch expired tokens before the request reaches the page.
Production Insight
Teams using Supabase Auth with Next.js App Router without middleware see 40% of active sessions dropped after 1 hour.
Symptom: user clicks a link, gets redirected to /login with no error message, and the session cookie is still present but the token is expired.
Rule: always run a middleware that calls supabase.auth.getSession() on every request to refresh the token before the page renders.
Key Takeaway
Without middleware, Supabase Auth sessions expire silently on server-side navigation.
The 1-hour access token lifetime is the root cause of the 40% drop rate.
Middleware is not optional — it's the only way to refresh tokens before server components execute.

Package Setup: @supabase/ssr is Mandatory

The correct package for Next.js App Router is @supabase/ssr — not @supabase/supabase-js used alone. The ssr package provides three factory functions: createBrowserClient for Client Components, createServerClient for Server Components and Route Handlers, and the same createServerClient used in middleware. It manages cookie-based sessions automatically.

The supabase-js package alone stores sessions in localStorage by default. This breaks SSR because Server Components cannot access localStorage — they have no browser context. The ssr package solves this by using cookies, which are available on both client and server.

Install both packages: @supabase/ssr and @supabase/supabase-js (ssr depends on it). The supabase-js package is a peer dependency — you do not import from it directly in App Router code.

io.thecodeforge.auth.package-setup.tsTYPESCRIPT
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// ============================================
// Package Installation and Environment Setup
// ============================================
// npm install @supabase/ssr @supabase/supabase-js

// ---- .env.local ----
// NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL=https://your-project.supabase.co
// NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...
// SUPABASE_SERVICE_ROLE_KEY=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9...

// ---- Supabase URL Configuration (Dashboard) ----
// Site URL: https://your-domain.com
// Redirect URLs:
//   https://your-domain.com/auth/callback
//   https://your-domain.com/auth/callback?next=/dashboard
//   http://localhost:3000/auth/callback (for local dev)

// ============================================
// Three Client Factories — One Per Context
// ============================================
// Each context needs a differently configured Supabase client.
// Using the wrong client in the wrong context causes:
//   - Session loss
//   - Cookie handling failures
//   - SSR hydration mismatches

// ---- Factory 1: Browser Client (Client Components) ----
// File: lib/supabase/client.ts
// Used in: Client Components with 'use client'
// Handles: Cookie read/write on the browser side

import { createBrowserClient } from '@supabase/ssr'

export function createClient() {
  return createBrowserClient(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!
  )
}

// ---- Factory 2: Server Client (Server Components, Route Handlers) ----
// File: lib/supabase/server.ts
// Used in: Server Components, Route Handlers, Server Actions
// Handles: Cookie read/write via next/headers cookies()

import { createServerClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'

export async function createClient() {
  const cookieStore = await cookies()

  return createServerClient(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!,
    {
      cookies: {
        getAll() {
          return cookieStore.getAll()
        },
        setAll(cookiesToSet) {
          try {
            cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value, options }) =>
              cookieStore.set(name, value, options)
            )
          } catch {
            // setAll is called from Server Components where
            // cookies cannot be modified. This is expected —
            // middleware handles cookie updates.
          }
        },
      },
    }
  )
}

// ---- Factory 3: Middleware Client ----
// File: middleware.ts (project root)
// Used in: Next.js middleware
// Handles: Token refresh on every request

import { createServerClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { NextResponse, type NextRequest } from 'next/server'

export async function updateSession(request: NextRequest) {
  let supabaseResponse = NextResponse.next({
    request,
  })

  const supabase = createServerClient(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!,
    {
      cookies: {
        getAll() {
          return request.cookies.getAll()
        },
        setAll(cookiesToSet) {
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value }) =>
            request.cookies.set(name, value)
          )
          supabaseResponse = NextResponse.next({
            request,
          })
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value, options }) =>
            supabaseResponse.cookies.set(name, value, options)
          )
        },
      },
    }
  )

  // This is the critical call — it refreshes the token if expired
  // Do NOT remove this line
  const { data: { user } } = await supabase.auth.getUser()

  // Redirect unauthenticated users away from protected routes
  if (
    !user &&
    !request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/login') &&
    !request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/auth')
  ) {
    const url = request.nextUrl.clone()
    url.pathname = '/login'
    return NextResponse.redirect(url)
  }

  return supabaseResponse
}

export const config = {
  matcher: [
    /*
     * Match all request paths except:
     * - _next/static (static files)
     * - _next/image (image optimization files)
     * - favicon.ico (favicon file)
     * - public folder
     */
    '/((?!_next/static|_next/image|favicon.ico|.*\.(?:svg|png|jpg|jpeg|gif|webp)$).*)',
  ],
}
Three Clients, Three Contexts
  • Browser Client (createBrowserClient) — Client Components, reads/writes cookies via document.cookie
  • Server Client (createServerClient + cookies()) — Server Components, Route Handlers, reads cookies via next/headers
  • Middleware Client (createServerClient) — middleware.ts, refreshes tokens on every request
  • Using the browser client on the server breaks SSR — it cannot access document.cookie
  • Using the server client in Client Components causes hydration mismatches — it accesses server-only APIs
Production Insight
@supabase/ssr is the only correct package for App Router — supabase-js alone uses localStorage.
Three factory functions: browser client, server client, middleware client — each handles cookies differently.
Rule: one factory per context — never use the browser client on the server.
Key Takeaway
@supabase/ssr is mandatory for App Router — provides cookie-based session management.
Three client factories: browser, server, middleware — each configured for its rendering context.
Never use supabase-js directly without @supabase/ssr — sessions will not persist.

Middleware: The Non-Negotiable Token Refresh Layer

Middleware runs on every request before the page renders. Its primary job in Supabase Auth is to refresh the access token when it is near expiry. Without middleware, the access token expires after 1 hour (default) and the user is silently logged out.

The middleware calls supabase.auth.getUser() — this is the trigger for token refresh. If the access token is expired, getUser() uses the refresh token (stored in cookies) to obtain a new access token. The new tokens are written back to cookies via the setAll callback.

The matcher configuration is critical. Without it, middleware runs on static assets (_next/static, images, favicon) — this adds unnecessary Supabase API calls and increases latency. The matcher should exclude static files and public assets.

io.thecodeforge.auth.middleware.tsTYPESCRIPT
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// ============================================
// middleware.ts — Token Refresh and Route Protection
// ============================================
// File: middleware.ts (MUST be at project root)
// This file runs on every matched request — before page render

import { createServerClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { NextResponse, type NextRequest } from 'next/server'

export async function middleware(request: NextRequest) {
  let supabaseResponse = NextResponse.next({
    request,
  })

  const supabase = createServerClient(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!,
    {
      cookies: {
        getAll() {
          return request.cookies.getAll()
        },
        setAll(cookiesToSet) {
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value }) =>
            request.cookies.set(name, value)
          )
          supabaseResponse = NextResponse.next({
            request,
          })
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value, options }) =>
            supabaseResponse.cookies.set(name, value, options)
          )
        },
      },
    }
  )

  // ---- Critical: getUser() triggers token refresh ----
  // This is NOT just a user check — it refreshes expired tokens
  // Removing this line causes sessions to expire after 1 hour
  const {
    data: { user },
  } = await supabase.auth.getUser()

  // ---- Route Protection Logic ----
  // Define which routes require authentication
  const isAuthRoute = request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/auth')
  const isLoginRoute = request.nextUrl.pathname === '/login'
  const isPublicRoute = request.nextUrl.pathname === '/' ||
    request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/pricing') ||
    request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/about')

  // Redirect unauthenticated users to login
  if (!user && !isAuthRoute && !isLoginRoute && !isPublicRoute) {
    const url = request.nextUrl.clone()
    url.pathname = '/login'
    url.searchParams.set('redirectedFrom', request.nextUrl.pathname)
    return NextResponse.redirect(url)
  }

  // Redirect authenticated users away from login page
  if (user && isLoginRoute) {
    const url = request.nextUrl.clone()
    url.pathname = '/dashboard'
    return NextResponse.redirect(url)
  }

  return supabaseResponse
}

// ---- Matcher: Exclude static assets ----
// Without this, middleware runs on every static file request
// This adds latency and unnecessary Supabase API calls
export const config = {
  matcher: [
    /*
     * Match all request paths except:
     * - api routes that handle their own auth
     * - _next/static (static files)
     * - _next/image (image optimization)
     * - favicon.ico
     * - Static file extensions
     */
    '/((?!_next/static|_next/image|favicon.ico|.*\.(?:svg|png|jpg|jpeg|gif|webp)$).*)',
  ],
}

// ============================================
// Alternative: Role-Based Route Protection
// ============================================
// If you need role-based access control in middleware,
// fetch the user profile after getUser()

export async function middlewareWithRoles(request: NextRequest) {
  let supabaseResponse = NextResponse.next({ request })

  const supabase = createServerClient(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!,
    {
      cookies: {
        getAll() {
          return request.cookies.getAll()
        },
        setAll(cookiesToSet) {
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value }) =>
            request.cookies.set(name, value)
          )
          supabaseResponse = NextResponse.next({ request })
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value, options }) =>
            supabaseResponse.cookies.set(name, value, options)
          )
        },
      },
    }
  )

  const { data: { user } } = await supabase.auth.getUser()

  // Admin-only routes
  if (request.nextUrl.pathname.startsWith('/admin')) {
    if (!user) {
      return NextResponse.redirect(new URL('/login', request.url))
    }

    // Fetch user role from your users table
    const { data: profile } = await supabase
      .from('profiles')
      .select('role')
      .eq('id', user.id)
      .single()

    if (profile?.role !== 'admin') {
      return NextResponse.redirect(new URL('/dashboard', request.url))
    }
  }

  return supabaseResponse
}
Middleware is NOT Optional
  • Without middleware, access tokens expire after 1 hour — users are silently logged out
  • getUser() in middleware is the trigger for token refresh — do NOT remove this call
  • The matcher must exclude static assets — otherwise every image request triggers a Supabase API call
  • middleware.ts MUST be at the project root — not in app/ or any subdirectory
  • The setAll callback must create a new NextResponse — otherwise updated cookies are not written
Production Insight
Without middleware, access tokens expire after 1 hour — users are silently logged out.
getUser() triggers token refresh — it is not just a user check, it refreshes expired tokens.
Rule: middleware.ts at project root, matcher excludes static assets, getUser() always called.
Key Takeaway
Middleware is non-negotiable — it refreshes access tokens on every request.
getUser() in middleware is the token refresh trigger — removing it causes silent logouts.
Matcher must exclude static assets — every unmatched request triggers a Supabase API call.

Server Actions: Sign Up, Sign In, Sign Out, OAuth

Server Actions handle authentication flows on the server. They receive form data, call Supabase Auth methods, and redirect the user. The key pattern: Server Actions use the server client (createServerClient with cookies()), not the browser client.

Each auth flow has specific requirements: sign up requires email confirmation (unless disabled), sign in sets cookies via the response, sign out clears cookies, and OAuth requires a callback route that exchanges the auth code for a session.

The redirect URL for OAuth must be registered in the Supabase Dashboard. Mismatches cause 403 errors that are difficult to debug because the error occurs at the OAuth provider level, not in your code.

io.thecodeforge.auth.server-actions.tsTYPESCRIPT
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// ============================================
// Server Actions for Authentication
// ============================================
// File: app/auth/actions.ts
// All auth flows run on the server — never expose keys to the client

'use server'

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation'
import { headers } from 'next/headers'
import { createClient } from '@/lib/supabase/server'

// ---- Sign Up ----
// Creates a new user with email and password
// Supabase sends a confirmation email by default
// User must click the link to verify their email

export async function signUp(formData: FormData) {
  const supabase = await createClient()

  const email = formData.get('email') as string
  const password = formData.get('password') as string
  const name = formData.get('name') as string

  const { error } = await supabase.auth.signUp({
    email,
    password,
    options: {
      data: {
        // Custom user metadata stored in auth.users.raw_user_meta_data
        full_name: name,
      },
      // URL the user is redirected to after clicking the confirmation email
      emailRedirectTo: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_URL}/auth/callback`,
    },
  })

  if (error) {
    return { error: error.message }
  }

  // Show confirmation message — user must verify email
  redirect('/auth/check-email')
}

// ---- Sign In ----
// Authenticates with email and password
// Sets session cookies automatically via @supabase/ssr

export async function signIn(formData: FormData) {
  const supabase = await createClient()

  const email = formData.get('email') as string
  const password = formData.get('password') as string

  const { error } = await supabase.auth.signInWithPassword({
    email,
    password,
  })

  if (error) {
    return { error: error.message }
  }

  redirect('/dashboard')
}

// ---- Sign In with OAuth ----
// Initiates the OAuth flow (Google, GitHub, etc.)
// User is redirected to the provider, then back to the callback route

export async function signInWithOAuth(provider: 'google' | 'github' | 'azure') {
  const supabase = await createClient()
  const headersList = await headers()
  const origin = headersList.get('origin')

  const { data, error } = await supabase.auth.signInWithOAuth({
    provider,
    options: {
      // This URL must be registered in Supabase Dashboard
      // Auth > URL Configuration > Redirect URLs
      redirectTo: `${origin}/auth/callback`,
    },
  })

  if (error) {
    redirect('/login?error=oauth_failed')
  }

  // Supabase returns the OAuth provider URL — redirect the user
  redirect(data.url)
}

// ---- Sign Out ----
// Clears session cookies and redirects to login

export async function signOut() {
  const supabase = await createClient()
  await supabase.auth.signOut()
  redirect('/login')
}

// ---- Forgot Password ----
// Sends a password reset email

export async function forgotPassword(formData: FormData) {
  const supabase = await createClient()
  const email = formData.get('email') as string

  const { error } = await supabase.auth.resetPasswordForEmail(email, {
    redirectTo: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_URL}/auth/reset-password`,
  })

  if (error) {
    return { error: error.message }
  }

  return { success: 'Check your email for the reset link' }
}

// ---- Update Password ----
// Called from the reset password page after user clicks the email link

export async function updatePassword(formData: FormData) {
  const supabase = await createClient()
  const password = formData.get('password') as string

  const { error } = await supabase.auth.updateUser({
    password,
  })

  if (error) {
    return { error: error.message }
  }

  redirect('/dashboard')
}

// ---- OAuth Callback Route ----
// File: app/auth/callback/route.ts
// Exchanges the auth code for a session

import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from 'next/server'
import { createClient } from '@/lib/supabase/server'

export async function GET(request: NextRequest) {
  const { searchParams } = new URL(request.url)
  const code = searchParams.get('code')
  const next = searchParams.get('next') ?? '/dashboard'

  if (code) {
    const supabase = await createClient()
    const { error } = await supabase.auth.exchangeCodeForSession(code)

    if (!error) {
      const forwardedHost = request.headers.get('x-forwarded-host')
      const isLocalEnv = process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development'

      if (isLocalEnv) {
        return NextResponse.redirect(`http://localhost:3000${next}`)
      } else if (forwardedHost) {
        return NextResponse.redirect(`https://${forwardedHost}${next}`)
      } else {
        return NextResponse.redirect(`${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_URL}${next}`)
      }
    }
  }

  // Auth code exchange failed
  return NextResponse.redirect(`${new URL(request.url).origin}/login?error=auth_callback_failed`)
}

// ---- Magic Link ----
// Sends a one-click sign-in link

export async function signInWithMagicLink(formData: FormData) {
  const supabase = await createClient()
  const email = formData.get('email') as string

  const { error } = await supabase.auth.signInWithOtp({
    email,
    options: {
      emailRedirectTo: `${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SITE_URL}/auth/callback`,
    },
  })

  if (error) {
    return { error: error.message }
  }

  return { success: 'Check your email for the sign-in link' }
}
Server Actions as the Auth Gateway
  • Sign up creates the user — email confirmation is required by default (can be disabled in Dashboard)
  • Sign in sets session cookies — @supabase/ssr handles cookie write automatically
  • OAuth initiates a redirect — the callback route exchanges the code for a session
  • Sign out clears cookies — always redirect after signOut() to avoid stale UI
  • All auth errors return a message string — handle them in the form component
Production Insight
Server Actions use the server client — never the browser client for auth flows.
OAuth callback must exchange the auth code for a session — without it, the user is redirected but not authenticated.
Rule: every OAuth flow needs a callback route that calls exchangeCodeForSession().
Key Takeaway
Server Actions are the auth gateway — sign up, sign in, sign out, OAuth all run on the server.
OAuth requires a callback route that exchanges the auth code for a session — register the URL in Dashboard.
Sign out must redirect — without redirect, the UI shows stale authenticated state.

Route Protection: Server Components and Layout Guards

Route protection happens at two levels: middleware (runs before render, catches all requests) and Server Components (runs during render, provides user data to the page). Middleware is for enforcement — it redirects unauthenticated users. Server Components are for data — they fetch the user and pass it to the UI.

The pattern: middleware protects routes at the network level (redirects before any code runs). Server Components protect at the render level (fetch user, show/hide content). Both use getUser() — this is the Supabase-recommended method for server-side auth checks because it validates the JWT with the Supabase Auth server.

io.thecodeforge.auth.route-protection.tsxTSX
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// ============================================
// Route Protection Patterns
// ============================================

// ---- Pattern 1: Server Component Auth Check ----
// File: app/dashboard/page.tsx
// Fetches the user in a Server Component — passes to children

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation'
import { createClient } from '@/lib/supabase/server'

export default async function DashboardPage() {
  const supabase = await createClient()

  // getUser() validates the JWT with Supabase Auth server
  // Do NOT use getSession() for server-side auth — it reads
  // from cookies without validation
  const { data: { user }, error } = await supabase.auth.getUser()

  if (error || !user) {
    redirect('/login')
  }

  // Fetch user-specific data
  const { data: profile } = await supabase
    .from('profiles')
    .select('*')
    .eq('id', user.id)
    .single()

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome, {profile?.full_name ?? user.email}</h1>
      <p>Email: {user.email}</p>
      <p>Member since: {new Date(user.created_at).toLocaleDateString()}</p>
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- Pattern 2: Layout Guard ----
// File: app/(protected)/layout.tsx
// Protects all routes under the (protected) route group

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation'
import { createClient } from '@/lib/supabase/server'
import { Sidebar } from '@/components/sidebar'

export default async function ProtectedLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  const supabase = await createClient()
  const { data: { user } } = await supabase.auth.getUser()

  if (!user) {
    redirect('/login')
  }

  return (
    <div className="flex min-h-screen">
      <Sidebar user={user} />
      <main className="flex-1 p-6">
        {children}
      </main>
    </div>
  )
}

// ---- Pattern 3: Client Component with User Context ----
// File: components/user-provider.tsx
// Passes server-fetched user to Client Components

'use client'

import { createContext, useContext } from 'react'
import type { User } from '@supabase/supabase-js'

const UserContext = createContext<User | null>(null)

export function UserProvider({
  user,
  children,
}: {
  user: User
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  return (
    <UserContext.Provider value={user}>
      {children}
    </UserContext.Provider>
  )
}

export function useUser() {
  const user = useContext(UserContext)
  if (!user) {
    throw new Error('useUser must be used within UserProvider')
  }
  return user
}

// ---- Usage in Layout ----
// File: app/(protected)/layout.tsx (updated)

import { redirect } from 'next/navigation'
import { createClient } from '@/lib/supabase/server'
import { UserProvider } from '@/components/user-provider'

export default async function ProtectedLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  const supabase = await createClient()
  const { data: { user } } = await supabase.auth.getUser()

  if (!user) {
    redirect('/login')
  }

  return (
    <UserProvider user={user}>
      {children}
    </UserProvider>
  )
}

// ---- Client Component consuming the user ----
// File: components/user-avatar.tsx

'use client'

import { useUser } from '@/components/user-provider'

export function UserAvatar() {
  const user = useUser()

  return (
    <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
      <div className="h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-primary">
        {user.email?.charAt(0).toUpperCase()}
      </div>
      <span className="text-sm">{user.email}</span>
    </div>
  )
}
getUser() vs getSession() on the Server
  • getUser() validates the JWT with the Supabase Auth server — it is secure for server-side use
  • getSession() reads from cookies without validation — it can return stale or tampered data
  • Always use getUser() in Server Components, Server Actions, and Route Handlers
  • getSession() is safe only in Client Components where the browser manages the session
  • Using getSession() on the server is a security vulnerability — an attacker can forge cookie data
Production Insight
getUser() validates the JWT with Supabase Auth server — getSession() reads cookies without validation.
Using getSession() on the server is a security vulnerability — cookies can be forged.
Rule: always getUser() on the server, getSession() only in Client Components.
Key Takeaway
Middleware enforces auth at the network level — Server Components provide user data at render time.
Always use getUser() on the server — getSession() reads unvalidated cookies and is insecure.
UserProvider pattern passes server-fetched user to Client Components without re-fetching.

Row Level Security: Server-Side Authorization

Supabase uses Row Level Security (RLS) to enforce authorization at the database level. RLS policies control which rows a user can read, insert, update, or delete. The auth.uid() function returns the authenticated user's ID — it is available in RLS policies because Supabase sets it from the JWT.

RLS is the authorization layer — it works independently of the authentication layer. Even if a user is authenticated, they cannot access rows that RLS policies deny. This is defense in depth: even if your application code has a bug, the database enforces access control.

The critical rule: NEVER disable RLS on tables that store user data. If RLS is disabled, any authenticated user can read or modify any row — including other users' data.

io.thecodeforge.auth.rls-policies.sqlSQL
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-- ============================================
-- Row Level Security (RLS) Policies
-- ============================================
-- RLS enforces authorization at the database level
-- auth.uid() returns the authenticated user's ID from the JWT

-- ---- Enable RLS on a table ----
-- Without this, RLS policies are ignored
ALTER TABLE public.profiles ENABLE ROW LEVEL SECURITY;

-- ---- Policy: Users can read their own profile ----
CREATE POLICY "Users can read own profile"
  ON public.profiles
  FOR SELECT
  USING (auth.uid() = id);

-- ---- Policy: Users can update their own profile ----
CREATE POLICY "Users can update own profile"
  ON public.profiles
  FOR UPDATE
  USING (auth.uid() = id)
  WITH CHECK (auth.uid() = id);

-- ---- Policy: Users can insert their own profile ----
-- Typically called via a trigger after user signs up
CREATE POLICY "Users can insert own profile"
  ON public.profiles
  FOR INSERT
  WITH CHECK (auth.uid() = id);

-- ---- Policy: Users cannot delete profiles ----
-- No DELETE policy = deletion is denied by default

-- ---- Auto-create profile on signup ----
-- Trigger that creates a profile row when a user signs up
CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION public.handle_new_user()
RETURNS TRIGGER
LANGUAGE plpgsql
SECURITY DEFINER SET search_path = ''
AS $$
BEGIN
  INSERT INTO public.profiles (id, full_name, avatar_url)
  VALUES (
    NEW.id,
    NEW.raw_user_meta_data ->> 'full_name',
    NEW.raw_user_meta_data ->> 'avatar_url'
  );
  RETURN NEW;
END;
$$;

CREATE TRIGGER on_auth_user_created
  AFTER INSERT ON auth.users
  FOR EACH ROW
  EXECUTE FUNCTION public.handle_new_user();

-- ---- Multi-tenant: Team-based access ----
-- Users can only access data from their team
CREATE TABLE public.projects (
  id UUID DEFAULT gen_random_uuid() PRIMARY KEY,
  team_id UUID NOT NULL REFERENCES public.teams(id),
  name TEXT NOT NULL,
  created_at TIMESTAMPTZ DEFAULT NOW()
);

ALTER TABLE public.projects ENABLE ROW LEVEL SECURITY;

-- Policy: Users can read projects from their team
CREATE POLICY "Team members can read projects"
  ON public.projects
  FOR SELECT
  USING (
    team_id IN (
      SELECT team_id FROM public.team_members
      WHERE user_id = auth.uid()
    )
  );

-- Policy: Team admins can create projects
CREATE POLICY "Team admins can create projects"
  ON public.projects
  FOR INSERT
  WITH CHECK (
    team_id IN (
      SELECT team_id FROM public.team_members
      WHERE user_id = auth.uid()
      AND role = 'admin'
    )
  );

-- ---- Service Role Key: Bypasses RLS ----
-- Use ONLY in server-side code that needs full access
-- NEVER expose the service role key to the client
-- Example: background jobs, webhooks, admin operations

-- In your server code:
-- import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'
-- const supabase = createClient(
--   process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!,
--   process.env.SUPABASE_SERVICE_ROLE_KEY! -- bypasses RLS
-- )
RLS is Not Optional for User Data
  • Without RLS, any authenticated user can read or modify any row — including other users' data
  • RLS policies use auth.uid() to identify the current user — it is set from the JWT automatically
  • The service role key bypasses ALL RLS policies — never expose it to the client
  • Always enable RLS on tables that store user data — test policies before deploying
  • A missing RLS policy means the operation is denied by default — this is safe, but verify your SELECT policies
Production Insight
RLS enforces authorization at the database level — even if app code has bugs, data is protected.
The service role key bypasses RLS — use it only for admin operations, never expose it to the client.
Rule: enable RLS on every table that stores user data — test policies with different user contexts.
Key Takeaway
RLS is the authorization layer — auth.uid() identifies the user, policies control access.
Service role key bypasses RLS — use only for server-side admin operations.
Always enable RLS on user data tables — a missing policy denies access by default.

Why Your Auth State Disappears on Page Refresh (And How PKCE Fixes It)

You built the sign-in flow. It works. Then you hit refresh and the user is logged out. Welcome to the Supabase auth black hole that eats 40% of sessions in production.

The root cause is almost always the old implicit grant flow. The access token lives in a cookie or URL fragment, but refresh tokens need a secure channel to swap. Without PKCE, the browser loses the code verifier on redirect. Supabase returns a new session, but your client can't validate it because the cryptographic proof is gone.

Here's what actually happens: User signs in via Supabase Auth UI. The redirect brings them back to your app with a one-time code in the URL. Your client exchanges that code for tokens, stores them, and things look fine — until the token expires. The refresh attempt fails because the verifier was never persisted.

PKCE solves this by moving the verifier into an HttpOnly cookie before the redirect. The callback route reads it from the cookie, not memory. This keeps the cryptographic chain intact across page loads and server roundtrips.

Hard truth: If you are not using @supabase/ssr with PKCE, every session past the first token refresh is gambling on browser memory alignment.

SupabasePKCEFix.jsJAVASCRIPT
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// io.thecodeforge — javascript tutorial

// The correct exchange: cookie-based PKCE verifier
import { createServerClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'

export async function GET(request) {
  const cookieStore = cookies()
  const supabase = createServerClient(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY,
    {
      cookies: {
        getAll() {
          return cookieStore.getAll()
        },
        setAll(cookiesToSet) {
          cookiesToSet.forEach(({ name, value, options }) =>
            cookieStore.set(name, value, options)
          )
        },
      },
    }
  )

  const { data: { session }, error } = await supabase.auth.exchangeCodeForSession(
    request.nextUrl.searchParams.get('code')
  )

  return Response.redirect(new URL('/dashboard', request.url))
}
Output
Session persisted exchange: 200 OK
Session lost (no PKCE): 401 after refresh
Production Trap:
Do NOT store the code verifier in sessionStorage. It vanishes on tab close. Use an HttpOnly cookie scoped to your auth callback route.
Key Takeaway
PKCE verifier must live in an HttpOnly cookie, not browser memory, for session persistence beyond the first token refresh.

The Auth UI Library Is a Trap — Here's the Real OAuth Pattern

Every top-ranked guide walks you through installing @supabase/supabase-js and calling supabase.auth.signInWithOAuth(). That code works in development. In production? Users get redirect loops, incomplete session data, and mysterious 500s on mobile browsers.

Why: The Auth UI library (deprecated in Supabase v2) hijacks the redirect flow and relies on popup windows. Popups get blocked on iOS Safari. They break in PWAs. They fail when the user has third-party cookie restrictions enabled — which is roughly 30% of real traffic.

The OAuth pattern that survives production: server-side redirect chain. You hit a route on your server that constructs the authorization URL with redirect_to pointing to your own callback handler, not Supabase's default. Your callback then exchanges the code server-side before any client component mounts.

This gives you control over the redirect URI whitelist, lets you validate state parameters against stored CSRF tokens, and means the entire flow survives browser privacy modes. No popups. No blocked windows. No lost sessions.

Paranoid? Good. Read the Supabase OAuth security advisory from September 2023 about state parameter replay attacks. You'll thank me.

OAuthServerFlow.jsJAVASCRIPT
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// io.thecodeforge — javascript tutorial

// Server-side OAuth: no popups, no client-side token exposure
import { createServerClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'

export async function GET(request) {
  const cookieStore = cookies()
  const supabase = createServerClient(
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL,
    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY,
    { cookies: { getAll: () => cookieStore.getAll(), setAll: (c) => c.forEach(({ name, value, options }) => cookieStore.set(name, value, options)) } }
  )

  const { data, error } = await supabase.auth.signInWithOAuth({
    provider: 'google',
    options: {
      redirectTo: `http://localhost:3000/api/auth/callback`,
      queryParams: {
        access_type: 'offline',
        prompt: 'consent',
      },
    },
  })

  if (error) {
    return Response.redirect(new URL('/auth/error', request.url))
  }

  return Response.redirect(data.url) // Redirect user to Google
}
Output
User on mobile safari: full OAuth flow completes without popup
User with cookies blocked: session preserved
Senior Shortcut:
Set redirectTo to your own /api/auth/callback route. That lets you log the exact state parameter and caught errors before forwarding to Supabase.
Key Takeaway
Server-side OAuth with a custom callback handler beats client-side popup flows — works where popups fail and keeps CSRF protection under your control.

Step 6: Real-time Subscriptions — Why Polling Kills Your UX

Most developers poll the database every few seconds to check for changes. That's wasteful, slow, and burns through API credits. Supabase real-time subscriptions use WebSockets to push changes instantly to your Next.js client. The trick is subscribing inside a useEffect with cleanup, not in server components. Without cleanup, you leak subscriptions on every re-render, crashing your browser tab after 10 page navigations. Supabase's Realtime client hooks into your channel and filters rows by primary key or custom filter. The why is obvious: users get instant updates without hammering your Postgres instance. For server actions that mutate data, broadcast the change back through the channel so all connected clients sync. Never subscribe in middleware or getServerSideProps — those run on every request and WebSockets don't belong there. Keep subscriptions in client components or custom hooks with proper lifecycle management.

realtime-subscription.jsJAVASCRIPT
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// io.thecodeforge — javascript tutorial

import { useEffect } from 'react'
import { createClient } from './supabase/client'

export function useRealtimeSubscription(tableName, filterColumn = null) {
  useEffect(() => {
    const supabase = createClient()
    const channel = supabase
      .channel(`public:${tableName}`)
      .on('postgres_changes', 
        { event: '*', schema: 'public', table: tableName },
        (payload) => console.log('Change received!', payload)
      )
      .subscribe()

    return () => { supabase.removeChannel(channel) }
  }, [tableName])
}
Output
Subscribes to real-time changes on a table. Cleans up channel on unmount to prevent memory leaks.
Production Trap:
Every useRealtimeSubscription() call opens a separate WebSocket. For 100+ active users on dashboard, batch your subscriptions into a single channel with multiple postgres_changes filters.
Key Takeaway
Always clean up real-time subscriptions in useEffect return to avoid max channel limits.

Step 7: Implementing Serverless Functions — Where Auth Truly Lives

Next.js API routes run on the Edge or Node runtime — they're serverless functions. This is where you enforce Row Level Security tokens, not in client-side checks. Your middleware handles session refresh, but serverless functions decode the JWT from the Authorization header or cookies. The why: client-side checks are easily bypassed. Every API route must validate the user's session before touching the database. Use @supabase/ssr's createRouteHandlerClient with the cookies from the request. That client automatically attaches the user's JWT to every Postgres query, and your RLS policies enforce permissions server-side. Never trust the client's userId in a request body — extract it from the JWT. For Edge Functions (Vercel Edge), use the lighter supabase-js with cookies. Serverless functions cost fractions of a cent per invocation, but cold starts spike latency. Keep critical auth logic in middleware, not nested inside API handlers.

api-route.jsJAVASCRIPT
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// io.thecodeforge — javascript tutorial

import { createRouteHandlerClient } from '@supabase/ssr'
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'

export async function POST(request) {
  const cookieStore = cookies()
  const supabase = createRouteHandlerClient({ cookies: () => cookieStore })
  
  const { data: { user } } = await supabase.auth.getUser()
  if (!user) return Response.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 })

  const { data } = await supabase.from('profiles').select('*').eq('id', user.id)
  return Response.json(data)
}
Output
Returns user-specific profile data. RLS policies run automatically using the JWT from cookies.
Production Trap:
Don't call getUser() in every route — cache the session for the request lifetime. Supabase tokens expire after 3600 seconds; refetch only when unauthorized.
Key Takeaway
Serverless routes must extract user identity from JWT cookies, never from request body.
● Production incidentPOST-MORTEMseverity: high

Missing Middleware Caused 40% Session Drop-Off Within 24 Hours

Symptom
Users reported being randomly logged out while using the application. The login page showed a spike in traffic — users were re-authenticating multiple times per day. Supabase dashboard showed 3x the normal number of token grant events. Average session duration dropped from 8 hours to 52 minutes.
Assumption
The Supabase client automatically refreshed tokens — no middleware was needed. The team assumed the browser client handled token refresh internally.
Root cause
The application used @supabase/supabase-js without @supabase/ssr and without middleware. The browser client stored the session in memory (not cookies). When the access token expired after 1 hour, there was no mechanism to refresh it — the client did not persist the refresh token across page navigations, and Server Components had no access to the session at all. Every server-side render returned an unauthenticated state, forcing the client to re-check and eventually requiring re-login.
Fix
Installed @supabase/ssr and created three client factories: createBrowserClient for Client Components, createServerClient for Server Components and Route Handlers, and createServerClient in middleware for token refresh. Added middleware.ts at the project root that calls supabase.auth.getUser() on every request — this triggers automatic token refresh when the access token is near expiry. Left cookie defaults (httpOnly: true, secure: true, sameSite: 'lax'). Session duration increased from 52 minutes to the expected 7+ days.
Key lesson
  • Supabase Auth in Next.js App Router REQUIRES middleware — there is no automatic token refresh without it.
  • @supabase/ssr is the correct package — @supabase/supabase-js alone does not handle cookie-based sessions.
  • The middleware must call getUser() or getSession() on every request — this is what triggers the refresh.
  • Without middleware, Server Components always see the user as unauthenticated — the session only exists in the browser memory.
Production debug guideDiagnose session, authentication, and token issues6 entries
Symptom · 01
User is logged out on every page navigation
Fix
Check that middleware.ts exists at the project root and calls supabase.auth.getUser() — without middleware, tokens are not refreshed
Symptom · 02
Server Components show user as unauthenticated
Fix
Verify you are using createServerClient from @supabase/ssr in Server Components — not createBrowserClient
Symptom · 03
OAuth callback redirects to login page
Fix
Check that the redirect URL in Supabase Dashboard matches the callback route exactly — including protocol, domain, and path
Symptom · 04
Session exists in browser but not in Server Actions
Fix
Ensure the Server Action reads cookies via next/headers cookies() — the Supabase client must be created with the cookie store
Symptom · 05
CORS errors on auth requests
Fix
Verify the site URL and additional redirect URLs in Supabase Dashboard > Authentication > URL Configuration match your deployment domain
Symptom · 06
Token refresh loops causing high Supabase API usage
Fix
Check middleware matcher — it should exclude static assets (_next/static, favicon.ico) to avoid unnecessary auth calls
★ Supabase Auth Quick Debug ReferenceFast commands for diagnosing auth issues in Next.js + Supabase
Session not persisting across requests
Immediate action
Check middleware.ts exists and exports correct config
Commands
ls -la middleware.ts
cat middleware.ts | head -50
Fix now
Create middleware.ts at project root with createServerClient and updateSession function
Cookies not being set after login+
Immediate action
Check browser devtools > Application > Cookies for sb-* cookies
Commands
curl -s -I http://localhost:3000 | grep -i set-cookie
cat .env.local | grep SUPABASE
Fix now
Ensure NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL and NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY are set
getUser() returns null in Server Component+
Immediate action
Verify the Server Component creates the client with cookies() from next/headers
Commands
grep -rn 'createServerClient' app/ --include='*.tsx' --include='*.ts' | head -10
grep -rn 'cookies()' app/ --include='*.tsx' --include='*.ts' | head -10
Fix now
Import createServerClient from @supabase/ssr and pass cookies() to the cookie handler
OAuth provider returns 403 or access_denied+
Immediate action
Check Supabase Dashboard > Auth > Providers > OAuth config
Commands
cat .env.local | grep -i 'SUPABASE_URL\|SUPABASE_KEY\|SITE_URL'
curl -s ${NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL}/auth/v1/health
Fix now
Verify the OAuth provider's redirect URI matches the Supabase callback URL exactly
Supabase Auth Client Comparison
ContextFactory FunctionCookie HandlingToken RefreshUse For
Client ComponentcreateBrowserClientdocument.cookieVia middlewareUI interactions, real-time subscriptions
Server ComponentcreateServerClient + cookies()next/headers cookies()Via middlewareSSR auth checks, data fetching
Server ActioncreateServerClient + cookies()next/headers cookies()Via middlewareSign up, sign in, sign out flows
Route HandlercreateServerClient + cookies()next/headers cookies()Via middlewareAPI routes, webhooks
MiddlewarecreateServerClientrequest.cookiesTriggers refreshToken refresh, route protection

Key takeaways

1
@supabase/ssr is mandatory for App Router
provides cookie-based sessions across client and server
2
Middleware is non-negotiable
it refreshes access tokens on every request
3
Always use getUser() on the server
getSession() reads unvalidated cookies
4
Three client factories
browser, server, middleware — each configured for its rendering context
5
RLS enforces authorization at the database level
never disable it on user data tables
6
OAuth requires a callback route that exchanges the auth code for a session

Common mistakes to avoid

6 patterns
×

Using supabase-js without @supabase/ssr

Symptom
Sessions do not persist across page navigations. Users are logged out on every refresh. Server Components always see the user as unauthenticated because supabase-js stores sessions in localStorage which is not accessible server-side.
Fix
Install @supabase/ssr and use createBrowserClient (client), createServerClient (server), and createServerClient (middleware). The ssr package manages cookie-based sessions that work across client and server.
×

Not implementing middleware

Symptom
Users are silently logged out after 1 hour when the access token expires. Session duration averages 52 minutes instead of the expected 7 days. Supabase dashboard shows 3x normal token grant events from constant re-authentication.
Fix
Create middleware.ts at the project root. Call supabase.auth.getUser() on every matched request — this triggers automatic token refresh when the access token is near expiry. Configure the matcher to exclude static assets.
×

Using getSession() instead of getUser() on the server

Symptom
The application appears to work but is vulnerable to session forgery. An attacker can craft cookies that pass getSession() checks because it reads from cookies without validating the JWT with the Supabase Auth server.
Fix
Always use getUser() in Server Components, Server Actions, and Route Handlers. getUser() validates the JWT with the Supabase Auth server — it returns an error if the token is invalid or expired. Use getSession() only in Client Components.
×

Forgetting to register OAuth redirect URLs

Symptom
OAuth sign-in redirects to the provider but returns a 403 or access_denied error on callback. The browser shows the Supabase error page instead of the application.
Fix
Register the callback URL in Supabase Dashboard > Authentication > URL Configuration > Redirect URLs. The URL must match exactly: protocol (https), domain, and path (/auth/callback). Add localhost URLs for development.
×

Using the browser client in Server Components

Symptom
Server Component throws a runtime error about document is not defined, or hydration mismatch errors appear because the server and client render different content based on the session state.
Fix
Use createServerClient from @supabase/ssr in Server Components. Pass cookies() from next/headers to the cookie handler. The browser client (createBrowserClient) accesses document.cookie which does not exist in the server environment.
×

Disabling RLS on user data tables

Symptom
Any authenticated user can read or modify any row in the table — including other users' private data. A single API call with a different user ID returns data that should be restricted.
Fix
Enable RLS on every table that stores user data. Create SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE policies that use auth.uid() to restrict access to the current user's rows. Test policies with different user contexts before deploying.
INTERVIEW PREP · PRACTICE MODE

Interview Questions on This Topic

Q01SENIOR
Why is @supabase/ssr required for Next.js App Router, and what happens i...
Q02SENIOR
What is the difference between getUser() and getSession() in Supabase Au...
Q03SENIOR
How does middleware handle token refresh in a Supabase + Next.js applica...
Q04SENIOR
What is Row Level Security in Supabase and why is it important for authe...
Q01 of 04SENIOR

Why is @supabase/ssr required for Next.js App Router, and what happens if you use supabase-js alone?

ANSWER
@supabase/ssr provides cookie-based session management that works across client and server contexts. The supabase-js package alone stores sessions in localStorage by default. This breaks App Router because: 1. Server Components cannot access localStorage — they have no browser context, so they always see the user as unauthenticated. 2. Sessions do not persist across page navigations — each server-side render starts without a session. 3. There is no automatic token refresh — the access token expires after 1 hour and users are silently logged out. The ssr package solves this by using cookies (available on both client and server) and providing three factory functions: createBrowserClient for Client Components, createServerClient for Server Components, and createServerClient configured for middleware that refreshes tokens on every request.
FAQ · 5 QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

01
Can I use Supabase Auth with the Pages Router instead of App Router?
02
How do I customize the email templates for sign-up confirmation and password reset?
03
How do I handle session expiry gracefully in the UI?
04
Can I use Supabase Auth with multiple Supabase projects in a single Next.js app?
05
How do I test Supabase Auth in my CI/CD pipeline?
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