NativeScript Vue Auth based Navigation - Simplifying Authentication in Your App

Discover how to create a seamless authentication-based navigation system in your NativeScript-Vue application, ensuring users see the right screens based on their login status.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63012271/ asked by the user 'niclas_4' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/9386667/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63017907/ provided by the user 'Plpicard' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/11018664/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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NativeScript Vue Auth based Navigation

Creating a smooth and user-friendly navigation experience in your app is essential, especially when it comes to handling authentication. If you've been struggling with how to implement a simple auth-based navigation in your NativeScript-Vue application, you're not alone. Many developers face challenges when it comes to determining how to show relevant content based on user authentication status. In this post, we’ll explore a step-by-step approach to crafting an efficient navigation solution based on user authentication.

Identifying the Problem

As confirmed by a user's query, the aim is to display a different screen based on whether a user is logged in or not:

If the user is authenticated, show the <Main /> screen.

If the user is not authenticated, display the <sign-in /> screen.

The user is already using Firebase authentication, which sets the user information in Vuex, but struggles to implement this logic within the navigation flow using conditional rendering.

The Solution: Custom Routing in NativeScript-Vue

There is a straightforward way to handle navigation based on authentication status through the use of a custom router combined with NativeScript’s navigation capabilities. Below is a detailed breakdown of the implementation.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Router

To begin, you need to create a custom router that utilizes $navigateTo for navigation between components:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This router allows you to define how the app transitions from one screen to another, making it easier to manage navigation based on authentication status.

Step 2: Importing the Router

In your Vue components, you will need to import this router:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This snippet allows you to call the custom navigation method from within your components whenever navigation is necessary.

Step 3: Managing Navigation For Auth State

To manage the navigation flow effectively:

Set Up Initial Route Logic:
When the app loads, route the user through a loading screen where you can determine their authentication state using Firebase.

Centralized Routing:
You can expand your router to include login, loading, and main screens. This centralization helps you maintain clarity in routing logic.

Pre/Post Navigation Rules:
With your custom routes in place, consider adding pre and post navigation rules to control behavior such as displaying loading animations or user notifications.

Example Template Structure

Here's how your main app template could look:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this setup, the <Frame> component checks for the user variable which indicates if the user is logged in. If they are, it shows the main content; otherwise, it prompts the user to log in.

Conclusion

Implementing authentication-based navigation in your NativeScript-Vue app can enhance the user experience by ensuring that users are directed to the appropriate screens based on their authentication status. By setting up a custom router and effectively managing your routes, you can achieve a more organized and efficient application.

Feel free to ask any questions or share your experiences while implementing this solution!