Building a Robust Next.js Quiz App: My Journey

Rakib Ahsan - Jul 9 - - Dev Community

The Challenge
Recently, I embarked on an exciting project: building a Next.js app with dynamic client-server interactions and static site generation. The initial implementation was seamless, especially with token-based authentication for the login page. Everything was running smoothly until my client threw in a new requirement—a feature to create a quiz app.

This new feature demanded server-side rendering (SSR) to expose an API endpoint. The backend, built with Laravel, included authentication routes. The critical part was ensuring that the quiz questions were tailored to the user’s profile, requiring secure access to the authenticated user's data.

The Roadblocks
Token Access: The token needed for authentication was stored in local storage, inaccessible from the server side. Conversely, the client side couldn't use cookies.
Data Transmission: Although server-side data can be passed to the client via props, my component structure didn't allow for this straightforward transmission.
The Solution
Innovation and a bit of clever engineering helped me overcome these obstacles. Here's how:

Token in URL: By encoding the token as a URL parameter, I could access it server-side. This approach allowed me to retrieve the token and use it as a Bearer token in the header.
Seamless Integration: This method was not only secure but also adaptable, working flawlessly for infinite loading scenarios via server actions.
Final Thoughts
This project was a rewarding challenge, showcasing the power of combining Next.js with Laravel for a robust, full-stack solution. The ability to seamlessly integrate SSR with token-based authentication opened new doors for secure and dynamic user interactions.

Thanks for joining me on this journey! If you have any questions or need assistance with similar projects, don't hesitate to reach out.

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