---
title: Setup
description: Install and configure Stack Auth for your project
sidebarTitle: Setup
icon: "gear"
---

# Setup

## Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have a project set up for your chosen platform:

- **Next.js**: A [Next.js project](https://nextjs.org/docs/getting-started/installation) using the app router (Stack Auth does not support the pages router on Next.js)
- **React**: A [React project](https://react.dev/learn/creating-a-react-app) (we show examples with Vite)
- **JavaScript**: A Node.js project with Express
- **Python**: A Python environment with your chosen framework (Django, FastAPI, or Flask)

We recommend using our **setup wizard** for JavaScript frameworks for a seamless installation experience. For Python, we recommend using the REST API approach.

## Setup Wizard / Manual Installation

### Setup wizard (recommended for JS)

#### Run installation wizard

<Info>
  The setup wizard is available for JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks. For Python projects, please use the manual installation method.
</Info>

Run Stack's installation wizard with the following command:

```sh title="Terminal"
npx @stackframe/stack-cli@latest init
```

#### Update API keys

Create an account on [the Stack Auth dashboard](https://app.stack-auth.com/projects), create a new project, and copy its environment variables into the appropriate configuration file. If your project requires publishable client keys, create a project key that includes one and copy that as well.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Next.js">
    ```bash title=".env.local"
    NEXT_PUBLIC_STACK_PROJECT_ID=<your-project-id>
    NEXT_PUBLIC_STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY=<your-publishable-client-key>
    STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY=<your-secret-server-key>
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="React">
    ```typescript title="stack/client.ts"
    // Update the values in stack/client.ts created by the wizard
    export const stackClientApp = new StackClientApp({
      projectId: "your-project-id",
      publishableClientKey: "your-publishable-client-key",
      tokenStore: "cookie",
    });
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Vanilla JavaScript">
    ```bash title=".env"
    STACK_PROJECT_ID=<your-project-id>
    STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY=<your-publishable-client-key>
    STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY=<your-secret-server-key>
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

#### Done!

That's it! The wizard should have created or updated the following files in your project:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Next.js">
    - `app/handler/[...stack]/page.tsx`: Default pages for sign-in, sign-out, account settings, and more
    - `app/layout.tsx`: Updated to wrap the entire body with `StackProvider` and `StackTheme`
    - `app/loading.tsx`: Suspense boundary for Stack's async hooks
    - `stack/server.ts`: Contains the `stackServerApp` for server-side usage
    - `stack/client.ts`: Contains the `stackClientApp` for client-side usage
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="React">
    - `stack/client.ts`: Contains the `stackClientApp` configuration
    - Your app should be wrapped with `StackProvider` and `StackTheme`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Node.js/Express">
    - `stack/server.ts`: Contains the `stackServerApp` configuration
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Manual installation

<Note>
  The setup wizard also supports existing, complicated projects. Cases where manual installation is necessary are rare for JavaScript frameworks.
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install package">
    First, install the appropriate Stack package:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Next.js">
        ```bash title="Terminal"
        npm install @stackframe/stack
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="React">
        ```bash title="Terminal"
        npm install @stackframe/react
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Express">
        ```bash title="Terminal"
        npm install @stackframe/js
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Node.js">
        ```bash title="Terminal"
        npm install @stackframe/js
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Django">
        ```bash title="Terminal"
        pip install requests
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="FastAPI">
        ```bash title="Terminal"
        pip install requests
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Flask">
        ```bash title="Terminal"
        pip install requests
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create API keys">
    [Register a new account on Stack](https://app.stack-auth.com/handler/sign-up), create a project in the dashboard, and copy the project ID. If your project requires publishable client keys, also create a project key from the left sidebar and copy the publishable client key. For server-side setups, also copy the secret server key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure environment variables">
    Set up your environment variables or configuration:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Next.js">
        ```bash title=".env.local"
        NEXT_PUBLIC_STACK_PROJECT_ID=<your-project-id>
        NEXT_PUBLIC_STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY=<your-publishable-client-key>
        STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY=<your-secret-server-key>
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="React">
        ```bash title=".env"
        # Store these in environment variables or directly in the client file during development
        VITE_STACK_PROJECT_ID=<your-project-id>
        VITE_STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY=<your-publishable-client-key>
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Express">
        ```bash title=".env"
        STACK_PROJECT_ID=<your-project-id>
        STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY=<your-publishable-client-key>
        STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY=<your-secret-server-key>
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Node.js">
        ```bash title=".env"
        STACK_PROJECT_ID=<your-project-id>
        STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY=<your-publishable-client-key>
        STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY=<your-secret-server-key>
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Django">
        ```python title="settings.py"
        import os

        stack_project_id = os.getenv("STACK_PROJECT_ID")
        stack_publishable_client_key = os.getenv("STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY")
        stack_secret_server_key = os.getenv("STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY")
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="FastAPI">
        ```python title="main.py"
        import os

        stack_project_id = os.getenv("STACK_PROJECT_ID")
        stack_publishable_client_key = os.getenv("STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY")
        stack_secret_server_key = os.getenv("STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY")
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Flask">
        ```python title="app.py"
        import os

        stack_project_id = os.getenv("STACK_PROJECT_ID")
        stack_publishable_client_key = os.getenv("STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY")
        stack_secret_server_key = os.getenv("STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY")
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Stack configuration">
    Create the Stack app configuration:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Next.js (server)">
        ```typescript title="stack/server.ts"
        import "server-only";
        import { StackServerApp } from "@stackframe/stack";

        export const stackServerApp = new StackServerApp({
          tokenStore: "nextjs-cookie", // storing auth tokens in cookies
        });
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Next.js (client)">
        ```typescript title="stack/client.ts"
        import { StackClientApp } from "@stackframe/stack";

        export const stackClientApp = new StackClientApp({
          // Environment variables are automatically read
        });
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="React">
        ```typescript title="stack/client.ts"
        import { StackClientApp } from "@stackframe/react";
        // If you use a router, uncomment the appropriate import and the redirectMethod below
        // import { useNavigate } from "react-router-dom"; // React Router
        // import { useNavigate } from "@tanstack/react-router"; // TanStack Router

        export const stackClientApp = new StackClientApp({
          projectId: process.env.VITE_STACK_PROJECT_ID || "your-project-id",
          publishableClientKey: process.env.VITE_STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY || "your-publishable-client-key",
          tokenStore: "cookie",
          // redirectMethod: { useNavigate }, // Set this for non-Next.js frameworks
        });
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Express">
        ```typescript title="stack/server.ts"
        import { StackServerApp } from "@stackframe/js";

        export const stackServerApp = new StackServerApp({
          projectId: process.env.STACK_PROJECT_ID,
          publishableClientKey: process.env.STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY,
          secretServerKey: process.env.STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY,
          tokenStore: "memory",
        });
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Node.js (server)">
        ```javascript title="stack/server.js"
        import { StackServerApp } from "@stackframe/js";

        export const stackServerApp = new StackServerApp({
          projectId: process.env.STACK_PROJECT_ID,
          publishableClientKey: process.env.STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY,
          secretServerKey: process.env.STACK_SECRET_SERVER_KEY,
          tokenStore: "memory",
        });
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Node.js (client)">
        ```javascript title="stack/client.js"
        import { StackClientApp } from "@stackframe/js";

        export const stackClientApp = new StackClientApp({
          projectId: process.env.STACK_PROJECT_ID,
          publishableClientKey: process.env.STACK_PUBLISHABLE_CLIENT_KEY,
          tokenStore: "cookie",
        });
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Django">
        ```python title="views.py"
        import requests

        def stack_auth_request(method, endpoint, **kwargs):
            res = requests.request(
                method,
                f'https://api.stack-auth.com/{endpoint}',
                headers={
                    'x-stack-access-type': 'server',  # or 'client' if you're only accessing the client API
                    'x-stack-project-id': stack_project_id,
                    'x-stack-publishable-client-key': stack_publishable_client_key,
                    'x-stack-secret-server-key': stack_secret_server_key,  # not necessary if access type is 'client'
                    **kwargs.pop('headers', {}),
                },
                **kwargs,
            )
            if res.status_code >= 400:
                raise Exception(f"Stack Auth API request failed with {res.status_code}: {res.text}")
            return res.json()
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="FastAPI">
        ```python title="main.py"
        import requests

        def stack_auth_request(method, endpoint, **kwargs):
            res = requests.request(
                method,
                f'https://api.stack-auth.com/{endpoint}',
                headers={
                    'x-stack-access-type': 'server',  # or 'client' if you're only accessing the client API
                    'x-stack-project-id': stack_project_id,
                    'x-stack-publishable-client-key': stack_publishable_client_key,
                    'x-stack-secret-server-key': stack_secret_server_key,  # not necessary if access type is 'client'
                    **kwargs.pop('headers', {}),
                },
                **kwargs,
            )
            if res.status_code >= 400:
                raise Exception(f"Stack Auth API request failed with {res.status_code}: {res.text}")
            return res.json()
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Flask">
        ```python title="app.py"
        import requests

        def stack_auth_request(method, endpoint, **kwargs):
            res = requests.request(
                method,
                f'https://api.stack-auth.com/{endpoint}',
                headers={
                    'x-stack-access-type': 'server',  # or 'client' if you're only accessing the client API
                    'x-stack-project-id': stack_project_id,
                    'x-stack-publishable-client-key': stack_publishable_client_key,
                    'x-stack-secret-server-key': stack_secret_server_key,  # not necessary if access type is 'client'
                    **kwargs.pop('headers', {}),
                },
                **kwargs,
            )
            if res.status_code >= 400:
                raise Exception(f"Stack Auth API request failed with {res.status_code}: {res.text}")
            return res.json()
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up authentication handlers (Frontend frameworks only)">
    For JavaScript frameworks, create the authentication handler:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Next.js">
        ```typescript title="app/handler/[...stack]/page.tsx"
        import { StackHandler } from "@stackframe/stack";
        import { stackServerApp } from "@/stack/server";

        export default function Handler(props: unknown) {
          return <StackHandler fullPage app={stackServerApp} routeProps={props} />;
        }
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="React">
        ```typescript title="App.tsx"
        import { StackHandler, StackProvider, StackTheme } from "@stackframe/react";
        import { Suspense } from "react";
        import { BrowserRouter, Route, Routes, useLocation } from "react-router-dom";
        import { stackClientApp } from "./stack/client";

        function HandlerRoutes() {
          const location = useLocation();
          return (
            <StackHandler app={stackClientApp} location={location.pathname} fullPage />
          );
        }

        export default function App() {
          return (
            <Suspense fallback={null}>
              <BrowserRouter>
                <StackProvider app={stackClientApp}>
                  <StackTheme>
                    <Routes>
                      <Route path="/handler/*" element={<HandlerRoutes />} />
                      <Route path="/" element={<div>hello world</div>} />
                    </Routes>
                  </StackTheme>
                </StackProvider>
              </BrowserRouter>
            </Suspense>
          );
        }
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Express">
        ```typescript title="Note"
        // Express doesn't use built-in handlers
        // Use the REST API or integrate with your frontend
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="Node.js">
        ```javascript title="Note"
        // Node.js doesn't use built-in handlers
        // Use the REST API or integrate with your frontend
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add providers (Next.js and React only)">
    For Next.js and React, wrap your app with Stack providers:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Next.js">
        ```typescript title="app/layout.tsx"
        import React from "react";
        import { StackProvider, StackTheme } from "@stackframe/stack";
        import { stackServerApp } from "@/stack/server";

        export default function RootLayout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
          return (
            <html lang="en">
              <body>
                <StackProvider app={stackServerApp}>
                  <StackTheme>
                    {children}
                  </StackTheme>
                </StackProvider>
              </body>
            </html>
          );
        }
        ```
      </Tab>
      <Tab title="React">
        ```typescript title="Note"
        // Already shown in the App.tsx example above
        // Make sure to wrap your app with StackProvider and StackTheme
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add loading boundary (Next.js only)">
    For Next.js, add a Suspense boundary:

    ```typescript title="app/loading.tsx"
    export default function Loading() {
      // You can use any loading indicator here
      return <>Loading...</>;
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add suspense boundary (React only)">
    For React, add a suspense boundary:

    ```typescript title="App.tsx"
    import { Suspense } from "react";
    import { StackProvider } from "@stackframe/react";
    import { stackClientApp } from "./stack/client";

    export default function App() {
      return (
        // Wrap your StackProvider with Suspense for async hooks to work
        <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading...</div>}>
          <StackProvider app={stackClientApp}>
            {/* Your app content */}
          </StackProvider>
        </Suspense>
      );
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Post-setup

That's it! Stack is now configured in your project.

### Testing your setup

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Next.js">
    ```bash title="Terminal"
    # Start your Next.js app
    npm run dev

    # Navigate to the sign-up page
    # http://localhost:3000/handler/sign-up
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="React">
    ```bash title="Terminal"
    # Start your React app
    npm run dev

    # Navigate to the sign-up page
    # http://localhost:5173/handler/sign-up
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Express">
    ```bash title="Terminal"
    # Start your Express server
    npm start

    # Use the REST API or integrate with your frontend
    # Check the REST API documentation for endpoints
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Node.js">
    ```bash title="Terminal"
    # Start your Node.js app
    node index.js

    # Use the REST API or integrate with your frontend
    # Check the REST API documentation for endpoints
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Django">
    ```python title="Terminal"
    # Test the Stack Auth API connection
    print(stack_auth_request('GET', '/api/v1/projects/current'))

    # Start your Django server
    python manage.py runserver
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="FastAPI">
    ```python title="Terminal"
    # Test the Stack Auth API connection
    print(stack_auth_request('GET', '/api/v1/projects/current'))

    # Start your FastAPI server
    uvicorn main:app --reload
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Flask">
    ```python title="Terminal"
    # Test the Stack Auth API connection
    print(stack_auth_request('GET', '/api/v1/projects/current'))

    # Start your Flask server
    flask run
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### What you'll see

For JavaScript frameworks with built-in UI components, you'll see the Stack Auth sign-up page:

<Frame>
  <img src="/images/sign-in.png" alt="Stack sign-in page" />
</Frame>

After signing up/in, you will be redirected back to the home page. You can also check out the account settings page.

<Frame>
  <img src="/images/account-settings.png" alt="Stack account settings page" />
</Frame>

For Python and backend-only JavaScript setups, you'll interact with Stack Auth through the REST API.

## Example usage

Here are some basic usage examples for each platform:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Server Component">
    ```typescript title="Server Component"
    import { stackServerApp } from "@/stack/server";

    // In a Server Component or API route
    const user = await stackServerApp.getUser();
    if (user) {
      console.log("User is signed in:", user.displayName);
    } else {
      console.log("User is not signed in");
    }
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Client Component">
    ```typescript title="Client Component"
    'use client';
    import { useUser } from "@stackframe/stack";

    export default function MyComponent() {
      const user = useUser();

      if (user) {
        return <div>Hello, {user.displayName}!</div>;
      } else {
        return <div>Please sign in</div>;
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="React">
    ```typescript title="Component"
    import { useUser } from "@stackframe/react";

    export default function MyComponent() {
      const user = useUser();

      if (user) {
        return <div>Hello, {user.displayName}!</div>;
      } else {
        return <div>Please sign in</div>;
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Express">
    ```typescript title="server.ts"
    import { stackServerApp } from "./stack/server.js";

    app.get('/profile', async (req, res) => {
      try {
        // Get access token from request headers
        const accessToken = req.headers['x-stack-access-token'];
        const user = await stackServerApp.getUser({ accessToken });

        if (user) {
          res.json({ message: `Hello, ${user.displayName}!` });
        } else {
          res.status(401).json({ error: 'Not authenticated' });
        }
      } catch (error) {
        res.status(500).json({ error: 'Server error' });
      }
    });
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Node.js">
    ```javascript title="index.js"
    import { stackServerApp } from "./stack/server.js";

    async function checkUser(accessToken) {
      try {
        const user = await stackServerApp.getUser({ accessToken });

        if (user) {
          console.log(`Hello, ${user.displayName}!`);
        } else {
          console.log('User not authenticated');
        }
      } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error:', error);
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Django">
    ```python title="views.py"
    # In your views.py
    def profile_view(request):
        # Get access token from request headers
        access_token = request.headers.get('X-Stack-Access-Token')

        try:
            user_data = stack_auth_request('GET', '/api/v1/users/me', headers={
                'x-stack-access-token': access_token,
            })
            return JsonResponse({'message': f"Hello, {user_data['displayName']}!"})
        except Exception as e:
            return JsonResponse({'error': 'Not authenticated'}, status=401)
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="FastAPI">
    ```python title="main.py"
    from fastapi import FastAPI, Header, HTTPException

    app = FastAPI()

    @app.get("/profile")
    async def get_profile(x_stack_access_token: str = Header(None)):
        if not x_stack_access_token:
            raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Access token required")

        try:
            user_data = stack_auth_request('GET', '/api/v1/users/me', headers={
                'x-stack-access-token': x_stack_access_token,
            })
            return {"message": f"Hello, {user_data['displayName']}!"}
        except Exception as e:
            raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Not authenticated")
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Flask">
    ```python title="app.py"
    from flask import Flask, request, jsonify

    app = Flask(__name__)

    @app.route('/profile')
    def profile():
        access_token = request.headers.get('X-Stack-Access-Token')

        if not access_token:
            return jsonify({'error': 'Access token required'}), 401

        try:
            user_data = stack_auth_request('GET', '/api/v1/users/me', headers={
                'x-stack-access-token': access_token,
            })
            return jsonify({'message': f"Hello, {user_data['displayName']}!"})
        except Exception as e:
            return jsonify({'error': 'Not authenticated'}), 401
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Next steps

Next up, we will show you how to [retrieve and update user information](./users), and how to [protect a page](./users#protecting-a-page) from unauthorized access.

For Python developers, check out the [REST API documentation](../rest-api/overview) to learn more about the available endpoints and how to use them in your Python application.