Rails 8 authentication, via a React frontend.

Having gratefully used Devise as my Rails app authentication library for years, I've been keen to try out Rails 8's new built in authentication generator for a while. I now find myself working on a brand new app – React + Rails API – which needs authentication & session logic, and so a good opportunity to try Rails auth. I put this post together to document the steps that I took, for my simple implementation, in case it helps others. (Rails 8.0.1 built as an API app, React 19.1) (Password reset functionality not discussed in detail here, it will be in another post)

Jun 7, 2025 - 14:50

Rails 8 authentication, via a React frontend.

Having gratefully used Devise as my Rails app authentication library for years, I've been keen to try out Rails 8's new built in authentication generator for a while. I now find myself working on a brand new app – React + Rails API – which needs authentication & session logic, and so a good opportunity to try Rails auth. I put this post together to document the steps that I took, for my simple implementation, in case it helps others.
(Rails 8.0.1 built as an API app, React 19.1)
(Password reset functionality not discussed in detail here, it will be in another post)