RBAC in Next.js can be like running a tight ship, with users having different roles like crewmates on a ship. Admins, like captains, can delete anyone’s messages or channels. Moderators, like first mates, can delete their own channels and everyone’s messages. Normal users, like sailors, can delete their own messages and channels. It’s all set in the JWT, encoded with custom claims, and managed in the backend using Superbase off-hook for modifying the JWT and role level security policies. Smooth sailing ahead! βπ
π‘οΈ Introduction
Today we’re looking at role-based access control or arbac for short. The idea behind arbac is that you can add custom claims to your users’s JWT and encode information such as user levels or user roles.
π Custom Claims and User Roles
In Superbase, there is an off hook that allows you to modify the JWT when issued, making it the preferred approach for implementing custom claims and role-based access control. For example, in a Slack clone, there are normal users, moderators, and administrators, each with different permissions.
| User Type | Permissions |
|---|---|
| Normal Users | Send messages, delete their own messages, create and delete channels |
| Admin | Can delete everyone’s messages and channels |
| Moderator | Can delete their own channels and everyone’s messages, excluding the channels they didn’t create |
π» Implementation
To implement this access control, we create app permissions for channel and message deletion, as well as user roles for admin and moderator. This is done through mapping user roles to specific permissions and defining role permissions in our local admin studio.
βοΈ Access Control Implementation
Access control is implemented through an offhook in combination with row-level security policies, which is done by defining a custom access token hook in JavaScript using PSQL or PV8. By modifying the JWT when it is issued, we can encode the user role onto the claims and set the claims on the event.
𧩠Role Level Security Policies
Role level security policies are enforced through functions and policies to check if a user has specific permissions available in their JWT. This enables role-based access control and status indication in the frontend or middleware.
π Enabling Off Hook
To enable the off hook, navigate to the authentication settings in the dashboard, select the schema, and enable the custom access token hook. If in local development mode, configure the settings in the config dotl in your Superbase folder.
π Conclusion
In conclusion, leveraging role-based access control allows for granular permissions management and in-depth user role assignment, providing a robust authentication and authorization solution for Next.js applications.
Key Takeaways:
- Role-based access control allows for custom user claims and permissions management.
- Utilizing row-level security policies alongside custom access token hooks provides a performant and customizable approach.
- Enabling role-based access control empowers developers to implement granular access controls within their applications.
FAQ:
- How do I implement role-based access control in Superbase?
- What are the benefits of utilizing custom access token hooks for JWT modification?
Feedback:
We’d love to hear your feedback on the approach. Let us know in the comments below what you want to learn next and stay tuned for more informative content!
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