Django REST Framework Authentication with Auth.js

2023/07/18
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This article explores how to implement a Django REST-based authentication system using Django REST Framework and integrate it with Auth.js (formerly known as NextAuth.js) on the frontend. It covers setting up credentials-based authentication as well as social authentication with Google.

Django's default authentication system is a great solution for full-stack Django projects, but it can be challenging to use with Django REST Framework and client-server architecture. Additionally, Django lacks native support for social authentication. However, you can expose Django's authentication system as an API and add social auth support using community-developed packages like django-allauth and dj-rest-auth.

To simplify the process of adding social authentication for different providers, Auth.js comes into play. Auth.js is an open-source authentication solution for Next.js, SvelteKit, and SolidStart. It offers credentials-based authentication, passwordless authentication, social authentication, and support for over 60 social providers.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to implement a Django REST-based authentication system and connect it to a Next.js frontend. By the end, you'll have a fully functional authentication system with social authentication support.

Objectives:

  • Implement a Django REST-based authentication system
  • Connect the authentication system to a Next.js frontend
  • Support social authentication

**Backend:**In the backend section, you'll create a new Django project, set up an authentication app, install dependencies, and test the authentication system using cURL. If you already have a Django project, feel free to skip the setup and follow along with your project.

To get started:

  1. Create a new directory for your project and set up a virtual environment.
  2. Install Django and create a new project.
  3. Migrate the database and run the server.
  4. Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:8000 to see the default Django landing page.

Next, you'll create an authentication app to organize your project better.