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clerk-nuxt-patterns

implement Clerk auth in Nuxt 3 apps

Published by Clerk Updated Apr 7
Covers Nuxt Backend Clerk Authentication Frontend

Description

Nuxt 3 auth patterns with @clerk/nuxt - middleware, composables, server API routes, SSR. Triggers on: Nuxt auth, useAuth composable, clerkMiddleware Nuxt, server API Clerk, Nuxt route protection.

SKILL.md

Nuxt Patterns

What Do You Need?

TaskReference
Protect routes with middlewarereferences/nuxt-middleware.md
Auth in server API routes (Nitro)references/server-api-routes.md
useAuth / useUser in componentsreferences/composables.md
SSR-safe auth patternsreferences/ssr-auth.md

References

ReferenceDescription
references/nuxt-middleware.mdRoute protection, clerkMiddleware()
references/server-api-routes.mdNitro server route auth
references/composables.mduseAuth, useUser, useClerk
references/ssr-auth.mdSSR hydration, server vs client

Setup

npm install @clerk/nuxt

.env:

NUXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_...
NUXT_CLERK_SECRET_KEY=sk_...

nuxt.config.ts:

export default defineNuxtConfig({
  modules: ['@clerk/nuxt'],
})

This single line auto-configures middleware, plugins, and component auto-imports.

Mental Model

@clerk/nuxt auto-imports all Clerk components and composables — no explicit imports needed in <script setup>.

  • Composables (useAuth, useUser) — client-side reactive, inside <script setup>
  • Server routes (clerkClient) — Nitro server routes, event.context.auth
  • Middleware (clerkMiddleware) — auto-registered, use auth().protect() to lock routes

Minimal Pattern

<!-- pages/dashboard.vue -->
<script setup lang="ts">
definePageMeta({ middleware: 'auth' })
const { userId } = useAuth()
</script>

<template>
  <Show when="signed-in">
    <p>Hello {{ userId }}</p>
  </Show>
</template>

definePageMeta({ middleware: 'auth' }) uses the built-in auth middleware from @clerk/nuxt.

Common Pitfalls

SymptomCauseFix
Composables return undefined on serveruseAuth is client-onlyUse event.context.auth in server routes
Route not protectedMissing middleware: 'auth' metaAdd definePageMeta({ middleware: 'auth' })
clerkClient not availableWrong import pathImport from @clerk/nuxt/server
Hydration mismatchRendering auth state before mountedWrap in <ClientOnly> or check isLoaded
Env vars not picked upWrong prefixNuxt requires NUXT_PUBLIC_ for public, NUXT_ for server

Org-Aware Pattern

<script setup lang="ts">
const { orgId, orgRole } = useAuth()
</script>

<template>
  <div v-if="orgId">
    <p>Org: {{ orgId }}</p>
    <p v-if="orgRole === 'org:admin'">Admin panel</p>
  </div>
  <div v-else>
    <OrganizationSwitcher />
  </div>
</template>

See Also

  • clerk-setup - Initial Clerk install
  • clerk-custom-ui - Custom flows & appearance
  • clerk-orgs - B2B organizations

Docs

Nuxt SDK

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