Integrating Keycloak in Vue.js 3 and Laravel 11 without complications

The integration of authentication systems can be a challenge, especially when it comes to combining different technologies. Recently, a practical approach was presented for integrating Keycloak into a development environment that uses Vue.js 3 and Laravel 11. This process allows for efficient user authentication management, simplifying access to web applications. Below are the steps and considerations to take into account for carrying out this integration.

What is Keycloak?

Keycloak is an open-source identity and access solution that enables single sign-on (SSO) and access management for applications. It is ideal for developers looking to secure their applications and manage credentials safely without complications.

Prerequisites

Before starting the integration, you need to have the following installed and configured:

• Vue.js 3: a progressive JavaScript framework.
• Laravel 11: a PHP framework for web application development.
• Keycloak: a server that can be run locally or in a cloud environment.

Keycloak Setup

To begin, you need to create a new 'Realm' in Keycloak, which is an identity management space. Once created, you need to configure the desired clients and roles for your applications.

1. Access the Keycloak dashboard.
2. Create a new 'Realm'.
3. Within this 'Realm', configure a new client. This client will represent your frontend application in Vue.js.

When creating a new client, make sure to enable the authorization flow option you need, such as the authorization code flow.

Integration in Vue.js 3

To integrate Keycloak into your Vue.js project, it is recommended to use the keycloak-js library, which simplifies the connection to the Keycloak server. Below are the steps:

1. Install the dependency:

2. npm install keycloak-js

3. Configure Keycloak in your application: Create a new file, for example, keycloak.js, and initialize the Keycloak instance with the appropriate configuration:

4. import Keycloak from 'keycloak-js';
   
   const keycloak = new Keycloak({
    url: 'https://your-keycloak-server/auth',
    realm: 'your-realm',
    clientId: 'your-client-id',
   });
   
   export default keycloak;

5. Initialize Keycloak at the entry point of your application: Use the init method to authenticate the user when starting the application.

Integration in Laravel 11

For Laravel, it is advisable to use the laravel-keycloak-guard package, which provides an easy way to integrate Keycloak as an authentication system in the backend.

1. Install the package:

2. composer require vizir/laravel-keycloak-admin

3. Configure the authentication file: Publish the package configuration and edit the config/keycloak.php file to include the details of your Keycloak server.
4. Protect your routes: Use Keycloak guards to protect your API routes and ensure that only authenticated users can access them.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate Keycloak into your application developed with Vue.js 3 and Laravel 11. This setup will not only provide you with simplified identity management but also greater security for your applications.

If you're interested in learning more about similar topics, I invite you to continue exploring more articles on my blog!