name: Next.js Authentication description: Secure token storage (HttpOnly Cookies) and Middleware patterns. metadata: labels: [nextjs, auth, security, cookies] triggers: files: ['middleware.ts', '/auth.ts', '/login/page.tsx'] keywords: [cookie, jwt, session, localstorage, auth]

Authentication & Token Management

Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)

Use HttpOnly Cookies for token storage. Never use LocalStorage.

Key Rules

1. Storage: Use cookies().set() with httpOnly: true, secure: true, sameSite: 'lax'. (Reference: Setting Tokens)
2. Access: Read tokens in Server Components via cookies().get(). (Reference: Reading Tokens)
3. Protection: Guard routes in middleware.ts before rendering. (Reference: Middleware Protection)

Anti-Pattern: LocalStorage

• Security Risk: Vulnerable to XSS.
• Performance Hit: Incompatible with Server Components (RSC). Forces client hydration and causes layout shift.

Related Topics

common/security-standards | server-components | app-router