Laravel Authentication & Authorization

Laravel Authentication & Authorization

Agent Workflow (MANDATORY)

Before ANY implementation, launch in parallel:

1. fuse-ai-pilot:explore-codebase - Check existing auth setup, guards, policies
2. fuse-ai-pilot:research-expert - Verify latest Laravel 12 auth docs via Context7
3. mcp__context7__query-docs - Query specific patterns (Sanctum, Passport, etc.)

After implementation, run fuse-ai-pilot:sniper for validation.

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Overview

Laravel provides a complete authentication and authorization ecosystem. Choose based on your needs:

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Critical Rules

1. Use policies for model authorization - Not inline if checks
2. Always hash passwords - Hash::make() or 'hashed' cast
3. Regenerate session after login - Prevents fixation attacks
4. Use HTTPS in production - Required for secure cookies
5. Define token abilities - Principle of least privilege

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Architecture

app/
├── Http/
│   ├── Controllers/
│   │   └── Auth/              ← Auth controllers (if manual)
│   └── Middleware/
│       └── Authenticate.php   ← Redirects unauthenticated
├── Models/
│   └── User.php               ← HasApiTokens trait (Sanctum)
├── Policies/                  ← Authorization policies
│   └── PostPolicy.php
├── Providers/
│   └── AppServiceProvider.php ← Gate definitions
└── Actions/
    └── Fortify/               ← Fortify actions (if used)
        ├── CreateNewUser.php
        └── ResetUserPassword.php

config/
├── auth.php                   ← Guards & providers
├── sanctum.php                ← API token config
└── fortify.php                ← Fortify features

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FuseCore Integration

When working in a FuseCore project, authentication follows the modular structure:

FuseCore/
├── Core/                      # Infrastructure (priority 0)
│   └── App/​Contracts/
│       └── AuthServiceInterface.php  ← Auth contract
│
├── User/                      # Auth module (existing)
│   ├── App/
│   │   ├── Models/​User.php    ← HasApiTokens trait
│   │   ├── Http/
│   │   │   ├── Controllers/
│   │   │   │   ├── AuthController.php
│   │   │   │   └── TokenController.php
│   │   │   ├── Requests/
│   │   │   │   ├── LoginRequest.php
│   │   │   │   └── RegisterRequest.php
│   │   │   └── Resources/​UserResource.php
│   │   ├── Policies/​UserPolicy.php
│   │   └── Services/​AuthService.php
│   ├── Config/
│   │   └── sanctum.php        ← Sanctum config (module-level)
│   ├── Database/​Migrations/
│   ├── Routes/​api.php         ← Auth routes
│   └── module.json            # dependencies: []
│
└── {YourModule}/              # Depends on User module
    ├── App/​Policies/          ← Module-specific policies
    └── module.json            # dependencies: ["User"]

FuseCore Auth Checklist

• Auth code in /​FuseCore/​User/ module
• Policies in module's /​App/​Policies/
• Auth routes in /​FuseCore/​User/​Routes/​api.php
• Sanctum config in /​FuseCore/​User/​Config/​sanctum.php
• Declare "User" dependency in other modules' module.json
• Use auth:sanctum middleware in module routes

Cross-Module Authorization

// In FuseCore/​{Module}/​Routes/​api.php
Route::middleware(['api', 'auth:sanctum'])->group(function () {
    Route::apiResource('posts', PostController::class);
});

// In FuseCore/​{Module}/​App/​Http/​Controllers/​PostController.php
public function update(UpdatePostRequest $request, Post $post)
{
    $this->authorize('update', $post);  // Uses PostPolicy
    // ...
}

→ See fusecore skill for complete module patterns.

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Decision Guide

Authentication Method

Need auth scaffolding? → Starter Kit
├── Yes → Use React/​Vue/​Livewire starter kit
└── No → Building custom frontend?
    ├── Yes → Use Fortify (headless)
    └── No → API only?
        ├── Yes → Sanctum (tokens)
        └── No → Session-based

Token Type

Third-party apps need access? → Passport (OAuth2)
├── No → Mobile app?
│   ├── Yes → Sanctum API tokens
│   └── No → SPA on same domain?
│       ├── Yes → Sanctum SPA auth (cookies)
│       └── No → Sanctum API tokens

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Key Concepts

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Reference Guide

Concepts (WHY & Architecture)

Templates (Complete Code)

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Best Practices

DO

• Use starter kits for new projects
• Define policies for all models
• Set token expiration
• Rate limit login attempts
• Use verified middleware for sensitive actions
• Prune expired tokens regularly

DON'T

• Store plain text passwords
• Skip session regeneration on login
• Use Passport when Sanctum suffices
• Forget to prune expired tokens
• Ignore HTTPS in production
• Put authorization logic in controllers