Safeguarding User Role-Based Private Routes in Next.js App Router

Introduction:

In the realm of web development, crafting a secure and user-centric application is non-negotiable. Next.js versions 13.4+ and 14 offer a fantastic environment to ensure that specific routes are accessible only to users with designated roles. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of safeguarding private routes based on user roles within the Next.js app router. We’ve simplified the code explanation to ensure that you can effortlessly integrate this essential security feature into your web application.Prerequisites:Before we embark on the journey to secure your routes, you must have a Next.js project in place with a robust authentication system. This system can be built using NextAuth, Firebase, or even a custom solution with JWT (JSON Web Tokens). Make sure to establish this foundation before proceeding with our guide.Now, let’s delve into the main topic: dynamically securing your routes based on user roles using middleware.Setting up the Middleware:To begin, you’ll need to create an middleware.ts or middleware.js file in the root directory of your Next.js project. Typically, this file is located within the 'src' or 'app' directory.