Nuxt•3w ago

Clarification on middleware

I would like clarification whether I am implementing my middleware correctly

// middleware/auth.ts
import { useSession } from "~/lib/auth-client";

// Protects routes - redirects unauthenticated users to sign-in
export default defineNuxtRouteMiddleware(async (to) => {
  const session = await useSession();

  // If not logged in, redirect to sign-in page
  if (!session.value) {
    return navigateTo("/auth/sign-in");
  }
});

// middleware/auth.ts
import { useSession } from "~/lib/auth-client";

// Protects routes - redirects unauthenticated users to sign-in
export default defineNuxtRouteMiddleware(async (to) => {
  const session = await useSession();

  // If not logged in, redirect to sign-in page
  if (!session.value) {
    return navigateTo("/auth/sign-in");
  }
});

I would then use this on my dashboard pages:

<script>
  definePageMeta({
  middleware: ['auth'] // Protects entire /dashboard section
});
</script>

<script>
  definePageMeta({
  middleware: ['auth'] // Protects entire /dashboard section
});
</script>

21 Replies

kapa.ai•3w ago

Hi @Dante. I'm kapa.ai, your friendly support bot. I will try to answer your question by searching through the knowledge base. :wave: ---------------------- Your middleware implementation is generally correct for protecting routes in Nuxt 3. The pattern of using a route middleware to check authentication and redirect unauthenticated users is standard practice. Here are some clarifications and best practices based on the knowledge sources: 1. Returning from Middleware:
Your middleware correctly returns a navigateTo call when the user is not authenticated. This is the recommended way to perform redirects in Nuxt 3 middleware. Make sure you do not return anything when the user is authenticated, as returning a navigation call when not needed can cause infinite redirect loops or unexpected behavior. For example:

   export default defineNuxtRouteMiddleware(async (to) => {
     const session = await useSession();
     if (!session.value) {
       return navigateTo("/auth/sign-in");
     }
     // Do not return anything if authenticated
   });

   export default defineNuxtRouteMiddleware(async (to) => {
     const session = await useSession();
     if (!session.value) {
       return navigateTo("/auth/sign-in");
     }
     // Do not return anything if authenticated
   });

This approach is confirmed in several sources, which emphasize returning nothing to allow navigation to proceed when the user is authenticated, and only returning a redirect when necessary Nuxt 3 middleware from and to routes are always the same Part 2. 2. Usage in Page Meta:
Applying the middleware via definePageMeta({ middleware: ['auth'] }) is correct and will protect the entire page or section as intended. 3. Avoiding Glitchy Redirects:
If you notice a "glitch" where the protected page briefly renders before redirecting, ensure you are using navigateTo and not router.push inside middleware. Using navigateTo is the recommended approach and prevents the page from rendering before the redirect occurs Redirect to auth screen if no token is available in defineNuxtRouteMiddleware. 4. Async Middleware:
Your use of async in the middleware is fine, as Nuxt 3 supports asynchronous route middleware. Summary:
Your implementation is correct. Just ensure you only return a redirect when needed, and return nothing otherwise to avoid navigation issues. This pattern is well-supported and recommended in the Nuxt 3 ecosystem. If you encounter issues like infinite redirects or the page rendering before redirect, double-check that you are not always returning a navigation call and that your authentication check is reliable. Let me know if you need clarification on a specific scenario! ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------

kapa.ai•3w ago

<@332238302457495564> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.

DanteOP•3w ago

@kapa.ai and for Nuxt4

kapa.ai•3w ago

Let me check the knowledge base for you again. One moment! :books: ---------------------- I'm sorry, but the knowledge sources provided do not contain explicit information about changes or differences in middleware implementation between Nuxt 3 and Nuxt 4. The available sources discuss middleware patterns, best practices, and common pitfalls in Nuxt 3, but do not mention Nuxt 4-specific requirements or changes. If you are using Nuxt 4, and unless otherwise stated in the official documentation, the middleware pattern you shared for Nuxt 3 should generally still apply. However, without explicit confirmation from the knowledge sources, I cannot guarantee there are no changes in Nuxt 4. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official Nuxt 4 documentation or release notes. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------

kapa.ai•3w ago

<@332238302457495564> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.

DanteOP•3w ago

@kapa.ai I would like to further clarify if my assumptions are correct In the nuxt docs is mentions server middleware and route middleware. If I'm correct, I would use server middleware to prevent unauthorized users, yes? Meaning I wouldn't need to do that in the route one. And the route middleware would be for example applying layouts?

kapa.ai•3w ago

Let me check the knowledge base for you again. One moment! :books: ---------------------- Your assumptions need some clarification based on the knowledge sources: - Route Middleware:
Route middleware in Nuxt is specifically designed to run during page navigation (handled by Vue Router). It is the standard and recommended place to implement logic like protecting pages from unauthorized users (e.g., redirecting unauthenticated users to a login page). Route middleware does not run for API routes or server-side endpoints—it's only for client-side and SSR page navigation. Applying layouts dynamically can also be done in route middleware, but its primary use is for navigation guards and similar logic docs: clarify route middleware doesn't affect API routes, Nuxt 3 middleware from and to routes are always the same Part 1. - Server Middleware:
Server middleware is used for handling server-side logic, such as custom API endpoints, authentication for API requests, logging, etc. It does not participate in Vue Router navigation and therefore cannot protect client-side pages directly. Server middleware is not the right place to prevent unauthorized users from accessing client-side pages; it is for handling server requests (like API calls) YouTube [Nuxt tips]: Server and route middleware. Summary:
- Use route middleware to protect pages from unauthorized users and to handle navigation-related logic. - Use server middleware for server-side tasks, such as protecting API endpoints or handling custom server logic. - Route middleware does not affect API routes, and server middleware does not control page navigation. If you want to protect both pages and API endpoints, you should implement checks in both route middleware (for pages) and server middleware (for APIs), as they operate in different contexts and do not overlap docs: clarify route middleware doesn't affect API routes. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------

kapa.ai•3w ago

<@332238302457495564> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.

DanteOP•3w ago

@kapa.ai so I can have an auth.ts file in both src/middleware and server/middleware?

kapa.ai•3w ago

Let me check the knowledge base for you again. One moment! :books: ---------------------- Yes, you can have an auth.ts file in both src/middleware (or app/middleware in Nuxt 4) and server/middleware. They serve different purposes: - The file in src/middleware (or app/middleware) is for route middleware, which runs during page navigation and is used to protect pages from unauthorized users. - The file in server/middleware is for server middleware, which handles server-side logic such as protecting API endpoints or processing requests before they reach your API handlers. These two types of middleware are independent and do not overlap in functionality. Route middleware does not affect API routes, and server middleware does not control page navigation. This separation is explicitly clarified in the Nuxt documentation and related sources docs: clarify route middleware doesn't affect API routes, YouTube [Nuxt tips]: Server and route middleware. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------

kapa.ai•3w ago

<@332238302457495564> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.

DanteOP•3w ago

@kapa.ai so these two files

// server/middleware/auth.ts
import { auth } from "~/lib/auth";

export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
  if (event.path.startsWith("/dashboard")) {
    const session = await auth.api.getSession({
      headers: event.headers,
    });
    if (!session) {
      return sendRedirect(event, "/auth/sign-in");
    }
  }
});

// server/middleware/auth.ts
import { auth } from "~/lib/auth";

export default defineEventHandler(async (event) => {
  if (event.path.startsWith("/dashboard")) {
    const session = await auth.api.getSession({
      headers: event.headers,
    });
    if (!session) {
      return sendRedirect(event, "/auth/sign-in");
    }
  }
});

and

// src/middleware/auth.ts
import { useSession } from "~/lib/auth-client";

// Protects routes - redirects unauthenticated users to sign-in
export default defineNuxtRouteMiddleware(async (to) => {
  const session = await useSession();

  // If not logged in, redirect to sign-in page
  if (!session.value) {
    return navigateTo("/auth/sign-in");
  }

  // Do not return anything if authenticated
});

// src/middleware/auth.ts
import { useSession } from "~/lib/auth-client";

// Protects routes - redirects unauthenticated users to sign-in
export default defineNuxtRouteMiddleware(async (to) => {
  const session = await useSession();

  // If not logged in, redirect to sign-in page
  if (!session.value) {
    return navigateTo("/auth/sign-in");
  }

  // Do not return anything if authenticated
});

kapa.ai•3w ago

Let me check the knowledge base for you again. One moment! :books: ---------------------- Yes, your understanding and usage of these two files is correct according to the knowledge sources: - The file in server/middleware/auth.ts is server middleware. It runs on every server request and is suitable for protecting server-side resources, such as API endpoints or server-rendered pages. In your example, it checks if the request path starts with /dashboard and redirects unauthenticated users to /auth/sign-in. This is the right place to enforce authentication for server-side logic and API protection. Server middleware does not affect client-side navigation or Vue Router page transitions YouTube [Nuxt tips]: Server and route middleware. - The file in src/middleware/auth.ts is route middleware. It runs during page navigation (handled by Vue Router) and is used to protect client-side pages. Your example checks for a session and redirects to /auth/sign-in if the user is not authenticated. This is the standard approach for protecting pages in Nuxt apps docs: clarify route middleware doesn't affect API routes. The two middleware types are independent and serve different purposes. Route middleware is for navigation/page protection, while server middleware is for server-side/API protection. This separation is explicitly clarified in the Nuxt documentation and related sources. So, having both files as shown is correct and follows Nuxt best practices. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------

kapa.ai•3w ago

<@332238302457495564> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.

DanteOP•3w ago

@kapa.ai armed with that knowledge, I would do this on my dashboard page

definePageMeta({
  middleware: 'auth'
})

definePageMeta({
  middleware: 'auth'
})

kapa.ai•3w ago

Let me check the knowledge base for you again. One moment! :books: ---------------------- Yes, your usage is correct. By adding

definePageMeta({
  middleware: 'auth'
})

definePageMeta({
  middleware: 'auth'
})

to your dashboard page, you ensure that the auth route middleware (from src/middleware/auth.ts) will run whenever a user navigates to that page. This is the standard and recommended way to protect pages in Nuxt using route middleware, as confirmed in the knowledge sources Nuxt 3 middleware from and to routes are always the same Part 1. Just make sure your auth middleware is properly implemented to check authentication and redirect as needed, as you have done in your previous example. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------

kapa.ai•3w ago

<@332238302457495564> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.

DanteOP•3w ago

Oh @kapa.ai , while I'm in development if I rename server/middleware to server/mid that will make it so the middleware doesn't run right?

kapa.ai•3w ago

Let me check the knowledge base for you again. One moment! :books: ---------------------- Yes, that is correct. If you rename the server/middleware directory to something else like server/mid, Nuxt will not recognize it as the middleware directory, and any middleware files inside it will not be loaded or executed. Nuxt expects server middleware to be placed specifically in the server/middleware directory according to its directory structure conventions. The knowledge sources confirm that Nuxt relies on specific directory names for automatic discovery and usage of features like middleware feat(nuxt,schema): support v4 folder structure. If you change the directory name, the middleware will not run. ---------------------- Note: you can ask me a follow up question by @ mentioning me again :speech_balloon: ----------------------

kapa.ai•3w ago

<@332238302457495564> Kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.

DanteOP•3w ago

Excellent, I can continue with my development

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Clarification on middleware

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