Authentication in React Query

React Query provides efficient tools to handle data fetching, caching, and synchronization, making it a suitable choice for implementing authentication flows.

Does React Query have authentication?

Authentication in web applications often involves token-based mechanisms. React Query doesn't directly handle authentication but offers an efficient way to manage server state, which is crucial when dealing with authenticated endpoints.

How to handle authentication tokens in React Query

Manage authentication tokens by storing them securely and including them in API requests.

How to store authentication tokens in React Query

Store tokens securely, for example, in localStorage:

localStorage.setItem('token', 'YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN');

How to include tokens in API Requests

Include the stored token in your API requests. Use React Query's useQuery or useMutation hooks for data fetching:

import { useQuery } from 'react-query';

const fetchProfile = async () => {
  const token = localStorage.getItem('token');
  const response = await fetch('/api/profile', {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`
    }
  });
  if (!response.ok) {
    throw new Error('Network response was not ok');
  }
  return response.json();
};

function Profile() {
  const { data, error, isLoading } = useQuery('profile', fetchProfile);

  // Render your component based on the data, error, and isLoading
}

How to handle authentication state in React Query

React Query doesn't directly manage authentication state. However, you can integrate it with your authentication state management strategy.

Synchronizing authentication state

Synchronize your authentication state with React Query's query data. For example, after a successful login, update the relevant queries:

import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from 'react-query';

const login = async (credentials) => {
  // Perform login and return token
};

function LoginForm() {
  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
  const mutation = useMutation(login, {
    onSuccess: () => {
      queryClient.invalidateQueries('profile');
    },
  });

  // LoginForm implementation
}

Error handling and security considerations

React Query provides tools for error handling, which are essential for secure authentication flows.

Error handling in queries and mutations

Handle errors in your useQuery and useMutation hooks to manage authentication errors:

const { data, error, isLoading } = useQuery('profile', fetchProfile, {
  onError: (error) => {
    // Handle error, e.g., redirect to login if unauthorized
  }
});

Security considerations

Always consider security implications when dealing with authentication:

• Securely store tokens.
• Handle token expiration and renewal.
• Implement proper error handling to avoid exposing sensitive information.

Conclusion

While React Query doesn't handle authentication directly, it provides a robust framework for managing server state, which is integral to implementing authentication flows in React applications. By combining React Query's data fetching and caching capabilities with secure token management and state synchronization, you can create efficient and secure authentication mechanisms.