Supabase: Google Sign-In Authentication Guide

by Alex Braham 46 views

Hey guys! Let's dive into setting up Google sign-in with Supabase. It's a super common feature for modern web apps, and Supabase makes it surprisingly straightforward. We'll cover everything from setting up your Supabase project to handling the frontend integration. So, buckle up, and let's get started!

Setting Up Your Supabase Project

First things first, you need a Supabase project. If you don't have one already, head over to Supabase and create an account. Once you're in, create a new project. Give it a name, choose a region that's close to your users, and set a database password. Remember this password; you'll need it later.

Once your project is created, navigate to the Authentication section in the Supabase dashboard. Here, you'll find the settings for various authentication providers, including Google. Click on the Google provider to configure it. This is where the magic begins!

To configure the Google sign-in, you'll need a Google Cloud project. If you already have one, great! If not, head over to the Google Cloud Console and create a new project. Give it a meaningful name and select your organization (if applicable). With your Google Cloud project ready, you will need to set up the OAuth consent screen.

Configuring OAuth Consent Screen

In the Google Cloud Console, search for "OAuth consent screen" in the search bar at the top. Select the OAuth consent screen option, you'll need to configure it. Choose the External user type unless you're only planning to use this within a Google Workspace organization. Fill out the required information, such as the app name, user support email, and developer contact information. Make sure the app name is something user-friendly since users will see it when they grant your app permission to access their Google account. Also, you'll be defining scopes which are permissions your app requests. For basic Google sign-in, the email, profile, and openid scopes are usually sufficient. Be mindful to only request necessary scopes, as excessive requests can deter users.

After configuring the OAuth consent screen, you'll need to create credentials. In the Google Cloud Console, navigate to the "Credentials" section. Click on "Create Credentials" and select "OAuth client ID". Choose "Web application" as the application type. Give your OAuth client a name. Next, you'll need to add authorized JavaScript origins and authorized redirect URIs. The authorized JavaScript origins should be the URL where your frontend application is running (e.g., http://localhost:3000 for local development, or your production domain). The authorized redirect URI is the URL where Google will redirect the user after they authenticate. Supabase provides a default redirect URI for each project which you can find in your Supabase project's Authentication settings under "Providers" then "Google". It typically looks like https://<your-supabase-project-id>.supabase.co/auth/v1/callback.

Once you've created the OAuth client ID, Google will provide you with a client ID and a client secret. Keep these values secure. You'll need to enter these into your Supabase project settings.

Enabling the Google Provider in Supabase

Back in your Supabase project dashboard, navigate to the Authentication settings, then to the Providers section, and click on Google. Enable the Google provider and enter the client ID and client secret you obtained from the Google Cloud Console. Save your changes. With this setup, your Supabase project is now configured to use Google as an authentication provider.

Frontend Integration with Supabase.js

Now that the backend is set up, let's move on to the frontend. We'll use the supabase-js library to handle the authentication flow. First, make sure you have the library installed in your project. If you're using npm, run:

npm install @supabase/supabase-js

If you're using yarn, run:

yarn add @supabase/supabase-js

Once the library is installed, you can initialize the Supabase client in your application. You'll need your Supabase project URL and anonymous key, which you can find in your Supabase project settings under the API section.

import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';

const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL';
const supabaseAnonKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY';

const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseAnonKey);

Replace YOUR_SUPABASE_URL and YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY with your actual Supabase project URL and anonymous key. Don't expose your supabaseAnonKey.

Implementing the Sign-In with Google Button

To implement the sign-in with Google functionality, you'll need a button in your frontend. When the user clicks this button, you'll call the signInWithOAuth method from the Supabase client.

async function signInWithGoogle() {
  const { data, error } = await supabase.auth.signInWithOAuth({
    provider: 'google',
  });

  if (error) {
    console.error('Error signing in with Google:', error.message);
  } else {
    // The user will be redirected to Google for authentication.
    // After successful authentication, they will be redirected back to your application.
    console.log('Redirecting to Google for authentication:', data);
  }
}

This code snippet calls the signInWithOAuth method with the google provider. Supabase will then redirect the user to Google for authentication. After the user authenticates with Google, they'll be redirected back to your application to the URL you configured in your Google Cloud project and Supabase project.

Handling the Redirect and Session Management

When the user is redirected back to your application, Supabase automatically handles the session management. You can then access the user's session using the getSession method.

async function getSession() {
  const { data: { session } } = await supabase.auth.getSession()

  if(session){
    console.log("User is signed in", session)
  } else {
    console.log("User is not signed in")
  }
}

getSession()

This code retrieves the current session. If a session exists, it means the user is signed in. You can then access the user's information from the session object.

Sign Out Implementation

Adding a sign-out feature is crucial for user experience. Supabase provides a straightforward method for signing out users.

async function signOut() {
  const { error } = await supabase.auth.signOut();

  if (error) {
    console.error('Error signing out:', error.message);
  } else {
    console.log('User signed out successfully');
    // Redirect the user to the sign-in page or update the UI accordingly.
  }
}

This function calls the signOut method, which removes the user's session. After signing out, you might want to redirect the user to the sign-in page or update the UI to reflect the change in authentication status.

Securing Your Supabase Project

Security is paramount when dealing with authentication. Always ensure you're following best practices to protect your users and your application. Implement Row Level Security (RLS) policies in your Supabase database to control data access. Use environment variables to store sensitive information such as your Supabase URL, anonymous key, and Google client secret. Regularly audit your authentication setup and keep your dependencies up to date.

Conclusion

And that's it! You've successfully set up Google sign-in with Supabase. This setup allows users to quickly and securely authenticate with your application, enhancing their experience and streamlining the sign-up process. By following these steps and best practices, you can create a robust and secure authentication system for your Supabase project. Remember to always prioritize security and stay informed about the latest authentication trends and best practices. Happy coding, and enjoy the power of Supabase!

SEO Optimization Tips

To make this article more SEO-friendly, consider the following tips:

  • Keywords: Include relevant keywords such as "Supabase authentication," "Google sign-in," "Supabase Google OAuth," and "serverless authentication" throughout the article.
  • Headings: Use descriptive and keyword-rich headings and subheadings to improve readability and SEO.
  • Internal Linking: Link to other relevant articles or sections on your website to improve site navigation and SEO.
  • Meta Description: Create a compelling meta description for the article to encourage clicks from search engine results pages.
  • Image Optimization: Optimize images by using descriptive file names and alt tags.
  • Mobile-Friendliness: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly to provide a seamless user experience on all devices.
  • Page Speed: Optimize your website's loading speed to improve user experience and SEO.
  • Schema Markup: Implement schema markup to provide search engines with more information about your content.
  • Social Sharing: Encourage social sharing by adding social media sharing buttons to the article.
  • Analytics: Track your article's performance using analytics tools to identify areas for improvement.

By following these SEO tips, you can increase the visibility of your article and attract more readers interested in Supabase authentication and Google sign-in.