Authentication vs Authorization: Engineering for Vibe Coders
Vibe coders often focus on features and AI outputs, skipping one of the most critical aspects of real-world apps: controlling access. Authentication and authorization are the foundation for security, privacy, and user trust.
Even simple prototypes can be compromised if you let anyone access sensitive functionality or data. Understanding the difference between authentication and authorization helps you plan your system safely, without slowing down development.
1. What is Authentication?
Authentication is the process of verifying who a user is. It answers the question: Are you who you say you are?
Common authentication methods include:
- Username and password
- OAuth / social logins
- API keys or tokens for services
- Multi-factor authentication for higher security
Even prototypes need basic authentication to prevent accidental exposure of data or features.
🟢 Pre-prototype habit:
Decide early how users or services will identify themselves. Sketch out login methods and consider what data or resources require authentication.
2. What is Authorization?
Authorization is the process of determining what a user can do. It answers the question: What are you allowed to access or modify?
Key considerations for authorization:
- Role-based access (admin, user, guest)
- Feature flags to control experimental functionality
- Data-level access restrictions (e.g., users only see their own data)
- Default-deny: anything not explicitly allowed should be blocked
Authorization depends on authentication. You cannot control permissions if you don’t know who the user is.
🟢 Pre-prototype habit:
Before building features, list the roles or access levels you need and decide what each role can see or do. Map sensitive functionality to roles before coding.
3. Common mistakes in prototypes
Vibe coders often make these mistakes when skipping authentication or authorization:
- Hardcoding admin access in code
- Exposing APIs without tokens or keys
- Allowing any user to see or modify other users’ data
- Relying on front-end restrictions only (e.g., hiding buttons)
These shortcuts may work for demos but create security risks when shared with collaborators or testers.
🟢 Pre-prototype habit:
Think through the access model and potential risks. Even if you don’t implement full security yet, document what will eventually need protection.
4. Lightweight approaches for early prototypes
For AI prototypes, you don’t need enterprise-grade authentication immediately. Some lightweight options:
- Use a simple username/password system stored securely
- Use an API key or token for testing access
- Limit prototype usage to a trusted group initially
- Consider mock authentication or role flags in code for testing
The key is planning for security, even if full implementation comes later.
🟢 Pre-prototype habit:
Identify which parts of your prototype need protection immediately versus later. Decide what minimal authentication and authorization will keep your early users safe.
5. Quick pre-prototype checklist
| Checklist Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Identify who needs access | Determines authentication requirements |
| List roles and permissions | Guides authorization design |
| Decide which APIs or features require protection | Prevents accidental data exposure |
| Plan lightweight early implementation | Balances speed and security |
| Document future access control needs | Helps scale safely as your prototype grows |
Closing note
Authentication and authorization are not optional, even for prototypes. Planning how users identify themselves and what they can access ensures your prototype remains safe, trustworthy, and easier to extend.
🟢 Pre-prototype habit:
Sketch your access model, decide authentication methods, and map roles to permissions before writing a single line of code. Early planning saves headaches later.
See the full list of free resources for vibe coders!
Still have questions or want to talk about your projects or your plans? Set up a free 30 minute consultation with me!
