How to Set Up WebAuthn in Node.js for Passwordless Biometric Login

A step-by-step guide to implementing WebAuthn passwordless biometric login in Node.js using TypeScript and Express. Covers the full flow: why JWT bearer tokens fall short for high-risk routes, how WebAuthn's asymmetric cryptography works, setting up registration and authentication ceremonies with SimpleWebAuthn, replacing long-lived JWTs with short server sessions, handling multi-device passkey recovery, and adding step-up authentication for sensitive actions like payouts or API key creation.

#nodejs

#authentication

#passkeys

Mar 19•18m read time•From freecodecamp.org

Table of contents

Table of Contents Prerequisites Why JWT Alone Falls Short What WebAuthn Changes Initialize the Project Install Dependencies Define the Data Model Build the Server Foundation Registration Ceremony Authentication Ceremony What Replaces the Long-lived JWT Multi-Device and Recovery Logic Step-up Authentication for Sensitive Actions Recap Try it Yourself Final Words

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