name: clerk-auth
description: "Expert patterns for Clerk auth implementation, middleware, organizations, webhooks, and user sync Use when: adding authentication, clerk auth, user authentication, sign in, sign up."
source: vibeship-spawner-skills (Apache 2.0)

Clerk Authentication

Patterns

Next.js App Router Setup

Complete Clerk setup for Next.js 14/15 App Router.

Includes ClerkProvider, environment variables, and basic
sign-in/sign-up components.

Key components:
- ClerkProvider: Wraps app for auth context
- , : Pre-built auth forms
- : User menu with session management

Middleware Route Protection

Protect routes using clerkMiddleware and createRouteMatcher.

Best practices:
- Single middleware.ts file at project root
- Use createRouteMatcher for route groups
- auth.protect() for explicit protection
- Centralize all auth logic in middleware

Server Component Authentication

Access auth state in Server Components using auth() and currentUser().

Key functions:
- auth(): Returns userId, sessionId, orgId, claims
- currentUser(): Returns full User object
- Both require clerkMiddleware to be configured

⚠️ Sharp Edges