Clerk Auth

# Clerk Authentication

Patterns

Next.js App Router Setup

Complete Clerk setup for Next.js 14/15 App Router.

Includes ClerkProvider, environment variables, and basic

sign-in/sign-up components.

Key components:

- ClerkProvider: Wraps app for auth context

- <SignIn />, <SignUp />: Pre-built auth forms

- <UserButton />: User menu with session management

Middleware Route Protection

Protect routes using clerkMiddleware and createRouteMatcher.

Best practices:

- Single middleware.ts file at project root

- Use createRouteMatcher for route groups

- auth.protect() for explicit protection

- Centralize all auth logic in middleware

Server Component Authentication

Access auth state in Server Components using auth() and currentUser().

Key functions:

- auth(): Returns userId, sessionId, orgId, claims

- currentUser(): Returns full User object

- Both require clerkMiddleware to be configured

⚠️ Sharp Edges

| Issue | Severity | Solution |

|-------|----------|----------|

| Issue | critical | See docs |

| Issue | high | See docs |

| Issue | high | See docs |

| Issue | high | See docs |

| Issue | medium | See docs |

| Issue | medium | See docs |

| Issue | medium | See docs |

| Issue | medium | See docs |

When to Use

This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.