phoenix-authorization-patterns

Phoenix Authorization Patterns

RULES — Follow these with no exceptions

1. Always authorize on the server in event handlers — never rely on UI-only checks 2. Verify resource ownership by comparing current_scope.user.id against the resource's user_id — never trust client-sent user IDs 3. Use policy modules for complex authorization — don't inline permission checks in LiveViews or controllers 4. Add data-confirm attribute for destructive UI actions — client-side confirmation before server round-trip 5. Test both authorized and unauthorized paths — every handle_event that mutates data needs an authz test 6. Scope queries to the current user in contexts — where(user_id: ^user_id) prevents IDOR vulnerabilities

Authorization Workflow for a New Resource

Follow these steps in order when adding authorization to any new resource:

1. Add scoped queries in the context — ensure all queries filter by user_id so unauthorized data is never returned
2. Define policy module rules — add clauses for every action (view, edit, delete, etc.) before wiring up any LiveView
3. Add server-side checks in LiveView event handlers — call Policy.authorize/3 or compare current_scope.user.id against the resource's user_id in every handle_event that mutates data
4. Write unauthorized-path tests first — confirm that a non-owner receives an error and that the mutation does not occur
5. Only then add UI controls — hide or disable buttons for unauthorized users after server-side checks are verified

Validation checkpoints:

• Every context function that returns or mutates a resource is scoped to the current user ✓
• Policy module has a catch-all clause returning {:error, :unauthorized} ✓
• Every mutating handle_event has a corresponding unauthorized-path test ✓

Server-Side Authorization in LiveViews

defmodule MyAppWeb.PostLive.Show do
  use MyAppWeb, :live_view

  @impl true
  def handle_event("delete", _params, socket) do
    post = socket.assigns.post

    if socket.assigns.current_scope.user.id == post.user_id do
      {:ok, _} = Blog.delete_post(post)
      {:noreply, push_navigate(socket, to: ~p"/posts")}
    else
      {:noreply, put_flash(socket, :error, "Not authorized")}
    end
  end
end

Scoped Queries in Contexts

defmodule MyApp.Blog do
  import Ecto.Query

  # Scoped — only returns posts owned by this user
  def list_user_posts(%Scope{user: user}) do
    Post
    |> where(user_id: ^user.id)
    |> order_by(desc: :inserted_at)
    |> Repo.all()
  end

  # Scoped get — returns nil if not owned by user
  def get_user_post(%Scope{user: user}, id) do
    Post
    |> where(user_id: ^user.id)
    |> Repo.get(id)
  end

  # Scoped update — only updates if owned
  def update_user_post(%Scope{user: user}, %Post{} = post, attrs) do
    if post.user_id == user.id do
      post |> Post.changeset(attrs) |> Repo.update()
    else
      {:error, :unauthorized}
    end
  end
end

Policy Modules

For complex permissions (roles, teams, org-level access):

defmodule MyApp.Policy do
  alias MyApp.Accounts.User
  alias MyApp.Blog.Post

  def authorize(%User{role: :admin}, _action, _resource), do: :ok

  def authorize(%User{id: user_id}, :edit, %Post{user_id: user_id}), do: :ok
  def authorize(%User{id: user_id}, :delete, %Post{user_id: user_id}), do: :ok
  def authorize(%User{}, :view, %Post{published: true}), do: :ok

  def authorize(_user, _action, _resource), do: {:error, :unauthorized}
end

# Usage in LiveView
case Policy.authorize(user, :delete, post) do
  :ok -> {:ok, _} = Blog.delete_post(post)
  {:error, :unauthorized} -> put_flash(socket, :error, "Not authorized")
end

Testing Authorization

describe "authorization" do
  test "owner can delete their post", %{conn: conn} do
    user = user_fixture()
    post = post_fixture(user_id: user.id)
    conn = log_in_user(conn, user)

    {:ok, lv, _html} = live(conn, ~p"/posts/#{post}")
    lv |> element("button", "Delete") |> render_click()
    assert_redirect(lv, ~p"/posts")
  end

  test "non-owner cannot delete post", %{conn: conn} do
    owner = user_fixture()
    other_user = user_fixture()
    post = post_fixture(user_id: owner.id)
    conn = log_in_user(conn, other_user)

    {:ok, lv, _html} = live(conn, ~p"/posts/#{post}")
    refute render(lv) =~ "Delete"
    assert render_click(lv, "delete") =~ "Not authorized"
  end
end

Related Skills

Skill	Purpose
phoenix-liveview-auth	Authentication (who you are)
phoenix-scopes	Phoenix 1.8+ Scope-based auth
testing-essentials	Testing patterns
security-essentials	Broader security best practices

Common Pitfalls

❌ Don't	✅ Do
Rely on hidden or disabled UI buttons for access control	Authorize on the server in every handle_event
Trust a user_id sent from the client	Compare current_scope.user.id against the resource's user_id
Query a resource without a user filter	Scope queries with where(user_id: ^user.id) to prevent IDOR
Inline complex permission logic in LiveViews/controllers	Extract rules into a Policy module
Omit a catch-all authorize clause	End Policy with def authorize(_, _, _), do: {:error, :unauthorized}
Test only the happy path	Test both authorized and unauthorized paths

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Integration

Predecessor	This Skill	Successor
phoenix-liveview-essentials	phoenix-authorization-patterns	security-essentials