better-auth-best-practices

--- name: better-auth-best-practices description: Configure Better Auth server and client, set up database adapters, manage sessions, add plugins, and handle environment variables. Use when users mention Better Auth, betterauth, auth.ts, or need to set up TypeScript authentication with email/password, OAuth, or plugin configuration. --- # Better Auth Integration Guide **Always consult [better-auth.com/docs](https://better-auth.com/docs) for code examples and latest API.** --- ## Setup Workflow 1. Install: `npm install better-auth` 2. Set env vars: `BETTER_AUTH_SECRET` and `BETTER_AUTH_URL` 3. Create `auth.ts` with database + config 4. Create route handler for your framework 5. Run `npx @better-auth/cli@latest migrate` 6. Verify: call `GET /api/auth/ok` — should return `{ status: "ok" }` --- ## Quick Reference ### Environment Variables - `BETTER_AUTH_SECRET` - Encryption secret (min 32 chars). Generate: `openssl rand -base64 32` - `BETTER_AUTH_URL` - Base URL (e.g., `https://example.com`) Only define `baseURL`/`secret` in config if env vars are NOT set. ### File Location CLI looks for `auth.ts` in: `./`, `./lib`, `./utils`, or under `./src`. Use `--config` for custom path. ### CLI Commands - `npx @better-auth/cli@latest migrate` - Apply schema (built-in adapter) - `npx @better-auth/cli@latest generate` - Generate schema for Prisma/Drizzle - `npx @better-auth/cli mcp --cursor` - Add MCP to AI tools **Re-run after adding/changing plugins.** --- ## Core Config Options | Option | Notes | |--------|-------| | `appName` | Optional display name | | `baseURL` | Only if `BETTER_AUTH_URL` not set | | `basePath` | Default `/api/auth`. Set `/` for root. | | `secret` | Only if `BETTER_AUTH_SECRET` not set | | `database` | Required for most features. See adapters docs. | | `secondaryStorage` | Redis/KV for sessions & rate limits | | `emailAndPassword` | `{ enabled: true }` to activate | | `socialProviders` | `{ google: { clientId, clientSecret }, ... }` | | `plugins [... prompt truncated for preview ...]