codenuk_frontend_mine/AUTH_IMPLEMENTATION.md

# Authentication Implementation

## Overview

This document describes the authentication system implementation with proper error handling, separate signup/signin routes, and email verification flow.

## Architecture

### Backend (User Auth Service)
- **Port**: 8011
- **Base URL**: `http://localhost:8011`
- **Database**: PostgreSQL
- **Features**: JWT authentication, email verification, session management

### Frontend (Next.js App)
- **Port**: 3001
- **Base URL**: `http://localhost:3001`
- **Framework**: Next.js 15.4.6 with TypeScript
- **UI**: Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui components

## Routes Structure

### Frontend Routes
```
/signup          - User registration page
/signin          - User login page  
/auth            - Redirects to /signin (legacy support)
/verify-email    - Email verification page (handled by backend redirect)
```

### Backend API Endpoints
```
POST /api/auth/register     - User registration
POST /api/auth/login        - User login
GET  /api/auth/verify-email - Email verification (redirects to frontend)
POST /api/auth/logout       - User logout
POST /api/auth/refresh      - Token refresh
GET  /api/auth/me           - Get user profile
```

## User Flow

### 1. Registration Flow
1. User visits `/signup`
2. Fills out registration form
3. Submits form → `POST /api/auth/register`
4. Backend creates user account and sends verification email
5. Frontend shows success message and redirects to `/signin` after 3 seconds
6. User receives email with verification link

### 2. Email Verification Flow
1. User clicks verification link in email
2. Link points to: `http://localhost:8011/api/auth/verify-email?token=<token>`
3. Backend verifies token and redirects to: `http://localhost:3001/signin?verified=true`
4. Frontend displays success message: "Email verified successfully! You can now sign in to your account."

### 3. Login Flow
1. User visits `/signin`
2. Fills out login form
3. Submits form → `POST /api/auth/login`
4. Backend validates credentials and returns JWT tokens
5. Frontend stores tokens and redirects to dashboard (`/`)

## Error Handling

### Backend Error Responses
All API endpoints return consistent error format:
```json
{
  "success": false,
  "error": "Error type",
  "message": "Detailed error message"
}
```

### Frontend Error Handling
- **Network Errors**: Display user-friendly messages
- **API Errors**: Show specific error messages from backend
- **Validation Errors**: Client-side validation with immediate feedback
- **Authentication Errors**: Clear messaging for login/registration issues

### Common Error Scenarios

#### Registration Errors
- **Email already exists**: "An account with this email already exists"
- **Username taken**: "Username is already taken"
- **Invalid email format**: "Please enter a valid email address"
- **Weak password**: "Password must be at least 8 characters long"
- **Missing fields**: "Please fill in all required fields"

#### Login Errors
- **Invalid credentials**: "Invalid email or password"
- **Email not verified**: "Please verify your email before signing in"
- **Account locked**: "Account is temporarily locked due to multiple failed attempts"

#### Email Verification Errors
- **Invalid token**: "Verification link is invalid or has expired"
- **Already verified**: "Email is already verified"
- **Token expired**: "Verification link has expired. Please request a new one"

## Components Structure

### Signup Flow
```
/signup
├── SignUpPage (main container)
├── SignUpForm (form component)
└── Success State (after registration)
```

### Signin Flow
```
/signin
├── SignInPage (main container)
├── SignInForm (form component)
└── Verification Messages (from URL params)
```

## API Integration

### Authentication Handler (`authenticationHandler.tsx`)
- Handles API calls to backend
- Proper error propagation
- TypeScript interfaces for type safety

### Key Functions
```typescript
registerUser(data: RegisterData): Promise<ApiResponse>
loginUser(email: string, password: string): Promise<ApiResponse>
```

## Security Features

### Backend Security
- JWT token authentication
- Password hashing (bcrypt)
- Rate limiting on auth endpoints
- CORS configuration
- Helmet security headers
- Session management

### Frontend Security
- Token storage in localStorage
- Automatic token refresh
- Secure API communication
- Input validation and sanitization

## Environment Configuration

### Backend (.env)
```env
PORT=8011
FRONTEND_URL=http://localhost:3001
POSTGRES_HOST=localhost
POSTGRES_DB=user_auth
JWT_SECRET=your-secret-key
SMTP_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
SMTP_PORT=587
SMTP_USER=your-email@gmail.com
SMTP_PASS=your-app-password
```

### Frontend (.env.local)
```env
NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://localhost:8011
NEXT_PUBLIC_FRONTEND_URL=http://localhost:3001
```

## Testing the Implementation

### 1. Start Services
```bash
# Backend
cd automated-dev-pipeline
docker-compose up user-auth

# Frontend
cd codenuk-frontend-dark-theme
npm run dev
```

### 2. Test Registration
1. Visit `http://localhost:3001/signup`
2. Fill out registration form
3. Submit and check for success message
4. Check email for verification link

### 3. Test Email Verification
1. Click verification link in email
2. Should redirect to `http://localhost:3001/signin?verified=true`
3. Verify success message appears

### 4. Test Login
1. Visit `http://localhost:3001/signin`
2. Enter credentials
3. Should redirect to dashboard on success

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

1. **CORS Errors**
   - Check backend CORS configuration
   - Verify frontend URL in allowed origins

2. **Email Not Sending**
   - Check SMTP configuration in backend
   - Verify email credentials

3. **Verification Link Not Working**
   - Check frontend URL in backend configuration
   - Verify token expiration settings

4. **Login Fails After Verification**
   - Check if user is properly verified in database
   - Verify JWT token generation

### Debug Steps
1. Check browser network tab for API calls
2. Check backend logs for errors
3. Verify database connections
4. Test API endpoints directly with Postman/curl

## Future Enhancements

1. **Password Reset Flow**
2. **Two-Factor Authentication**
3. **Social Login Integration**
4. **Account Lockout Protection**
5. **Session Management Dashboard**
6. **Audit Logging**