Mastering Authentication in Next.js: A Step-by-Step Guide to GitHub Login with Auth.js

Introduction

Next.js has become a preferred framework for modern web applications due to its simplicity and flexibility. One key aspect of any application is user authentication, and integrating GitHub login into a Next.js project is a practical choice. In this guide, we’ll walk through setting up a Next.js project with GitHub authentication using Auth.js, breaking it down into clear, actionable steps.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will help you configure authentication seamlessly.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Next.js Project

First, we need to create a new Next.js project. Follow these steps:

1. Open your terminal and run the following command:
   

npx create-next-app@latest

1. You will be prompted to configure your project. Here’s an example of how to answer these questions:

• 
  What is your project named? my-app
  


• 
  Would you like to use TypeScript? Yes or No (your choice)


• 
  Would you like to use ESLint? Yes or No
  


• 
  Would you like to use Tailwind CSS? Yes or No
  


• 
  Would you like your code inside a src/ directory? Yes or No
  


• 
  Would you like to use App Router? Yes (recommended)


• 
  Would you like to use Turbopack for next dev? No or Yes (your preference)


• 
  Customize the import alias? You can set it to @/* or leave it as default.

1. Once complete, navigate to your project directory:
   

cd my-app

Step 2: Install Auth.js

To manage authentication, we’ll use Auth.js (formerly known as NextAuth.js). Install it with the following command:

npm install next-auth@beta

Step 3: Configure Auth.js

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