MCPInstall

api-authentication

Implement secure API authentication with JWT, OAuth 2.0, API keys, and session management. Use when securing APIs, managing tokens, or implementing user authentication flows.

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Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill api-authentication
  1. 01

    Install

    Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.

  2. 02

    Describe the task

    Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads api-authentication automatically when relevant.

  3. 03

    Review the result

    The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

API Authentication

Table of Contents

Overview

Implement comprehensive authentication strategies for APIs including JWT tokens, OAuth 2.0, API keys, and session management with proper security practices.

When to Use

  • Securing API endpoints
  • Implementing user login/logout flows
  • Managing access tokens and refresh tokens
  • Integrating OAuth 2.0 providers
  • Protecting sensitive data
  • Implementing API key authentication

Quick Start

Minimal working example:

// Node.js JWT Implementation
const express = require('express');
const jwt = require('jsonwebtoken');
const bcrypt = require('bcrypt');

const app = express();
const SECRET_KEY = process.env.JWT_SECRET || 'your-secret-key';
const REFRESH_SECRET = process.env.REFRESH_SECRET || 'your-refresh-secret';

// User login endpoint
app.post('/api/auth/login', async (req, res) => {
  try {
    const { email, password } = req.body;

    // Find user in database
    const user = await User.findOne({ email });
    if (!user) {
      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid credentials' });
    }

    // Verify password
    const isValid = await bcrypt.compare(password, user.password);
    if (!isValid) {
      return res.status(401).json({ error: 'Invalid credentials' });
    }
// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)

Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the references/ directory:

GuideContents
JWT AuthenticationJWT Authentication
OAuth 2.0 ImplementationOAuth 2.0 Implementation
API Key AuthenticationAPI Key Authentication
Python Authentication ImplementationPython Authentication Implementation

Best Practices

✅ DO

  • Use HTTPS for all authentication
  • Store tokens securely (HttpOnly cookies)
  • Implement token refresh mechanism
  • Set appropriate token expiration times
  • Hash and salt passwords
  • Use strong secret keys
  • Validate tokens on every request
  • Implement rate limiting on auth endpoints
  • Log authentication attempts
  • Rotate secrets regularly

❌ DON'T

  • Store passwords in plain text
  • Send tokens in URL parameters
  • Use weak secret keys
  • Store sensitive data in JWT payload
  • Ignore token expiration
  • Disable HTTPS in production
  • Log sensitive tokens
  • Reuse API keys across services
  • Store credentials in code

FAQ

What does the api-authentication skill do?

Implement secure API authentication with JWT, OAuth 2.0, API keys, and session management. Use when securing APIs, managing tokens, or implementing user authentication flows.

How do I install api-authentication?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill api-authentication in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/api-authentication/ (personal) or .claude/skills/api-authentication/ (project).

Which AI agents can use api-authentication?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is api-authentication safe to install?

No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.

Who maintains api-authentication?

It is published by aj-geddes in aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts. It has 607 recorded installs.

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