# Authentication Patterns

> Authentication patterns for external services: API keys, OAuth, token management, verification. Triggers: authentication, API keys, OAuth, token management, credentials Use when: integrating external services or implementing authentication flows

- Skill: `majiayu000/authentication-patterns` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/authentication-patterns`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/authentication-patterns/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/authentication-patterns

---


# Authentication Patterns

## Overview

Common authentication patterns for integrating with external services. Provides consistent approaches to credential management, verification, and error handling.

## When to Use

- Integrating with external APIs
- Need credential verification
- Managing multiple auth methods
- Handling auth failures gracefully

## Authentication Methods

| Method | Best For | Environment Variable |
|--------|----------|---------------------|
| API Key | Simple integrations | `{SERVICE}_API_KEY` |
| OAuth | User-authenticated | Browser-based flow |
| Token | Session-based | `{SERVICE}_TOKEN` |
| None | Public APIs | N/A |

## Quick Start

### Verify Authentication
```python
from leyline.auth import verify_auth, AuthMethod

# API Key verification
status = verify_auth(
    service="gemini",
    method=AuthMethod.API_KEY,
    env_var="GEMINI_API_KEY"
)

if not status.authenticated:
    print(f"Auth failed: {status.message}")
    print(f"Action: {status.suggested_action}")
```

### Smoke Test
```python
def verify_with_smoke_test(service: str) -> bool:
    """Verify auth with simple request."""
    result = execute_simple_request(service, "ping")
    return result.success
```

## Standard Flow

### Step 1: Check Environment
```python
def check_credentials(service: str, env_var: str) -> bool:
    value = os.getenv(env_var)
    if not value:
        print(f"Missing {env_var}")
        return False
    return True
```

### Step 2: Verify with Service
```python
def verify_with_service(service: str) -> AuthStatus:
    result = subprocess.run(
        [service, "auth", "status"],
        capture_output=True
    )
    return AuthStatus(
        authenticated=(result.returncode == 0),
        message=result.stdout.decode()
    )
```

### Step 3: Handle Failures
```python
def handle_auth_failure(service: str, method: AuthMethod) -> str:
    actions = {
        AuthMethod.API_KEY: f"Set {service.upper()}_API_KEY environment variable",
        AuthMethod.OAUTH: f"Run '{service} auth login' for browser auth",
        AuthMethod.TOKEN: f"Refresh token with '{service} token refresh'"
    }
    return actions[method]
```

## Integration Pattern

```yaml
# In your skill's frontmatter
dependencies: [leyline:authentication-patterns]
```

## Detailed Resources

- **Auth Methods**: See `modules/auth-methods.md` for method details
- **Verification**: See `modules/verification-patterns.md` for testing patterns

## Exit Criteria

- Credentials verified or clear failure message
- Suggested action for auth failures
- Smoke test confirms working auth