authentication

name	authentication
description	Authentication patterns for The Boring JavaScript Stack — session-based auth with password, magic links, passkeys (WebAuthn), two-factor authentication (TOTP/email/backup codes), password reset, and OAuth. Use this skill when implementing or modifying any authentication flow in a Sails.js application.
metadata	{"author":"sailscastshq","version":"1.0.0","tags":"authentication, auth, login, signup, password, magic-link, passkey, webauthn, 2fa, totp, oauth, boring-stack"}

Authentication

The Boring JavaScript Stack uses session-based authentication with multiple sign-in methods. The Ascent templates provide production-ready implementations of password auth, magic links, passkeys, two-factor authentication, password reset, and OAuth — all built on Sails.js actions, helpers, and policies.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Implementing signup and login flows (password or magic link)
• Adding passkey (WebAuthn) support with @simplewebauthn
• Setting up two-factor authentication (TOTP, email codes, backup codes)
• Building password reset flows with secure token handling
• Integrating OAuth providers (Google, GitHub) via sails-hook-wish
• Configuring authentication policies (is-authenticated, is-guest, has-partially-logged-in)
• Understanding the req.me / req.session.userId pattern and return URL handling
• Working with the User model's auth-related attributes and lifecycle callbacks

Rules

Read individual rule files for detailed explanations and code examples:

• rules/getting-started.md - Auth architecture, User model overview, policies, req.me, return URL
• rules/password-auth.md - Signup and login flows, password hashing, remember me, validation
• rules/magic-links.md - Token generation/hashing, request/verify actions, auto-signup, security
• rules/passkeys.md - WebAuthn with @simplewebauthn, registration and authentication flows
• rules/two-factor.md - TOTP, email 2FA, backup codes, partial login state, verify-2fa action
• rules/password-reset.md - Forgot/reset flow, token lifecycle, email integration, security
• rules/oauth.md - Wish library, Google/GitHub OAuth, redirect/callback, findOrCreate pattern