Securing your Next.js with Authentication

Next.js is a versatile React framework that supports both static and dynamic web applications, featuring server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), which streamline the creation and deployment of websites, particularly when integrated with Vercel. The text explores how Next.js handles rendering and authentication, emphasizing the importance of authentication patterns that prevent unauthorized access to protected routes. It distinguishes between authentication, which verifies user identity, and authorization, which determines user permissions. Two common authentication strategies in Next.js are discussed: static generation and server-side authentication, each with its own advantages and challenges. The text also details how to set up authentication in Next.js using SuperTokens, a tool that provides a comprehensive solution for managing user authentication and sessions, including third-party login options and session management. The setup involves configuring both backend and frontend with SuperTokens, ensuring secure user sessions and protected routes, and includes steps to protect API routes and implement user sign-out functionality.