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jacekradko merged 9 commits into from
May 1, 2026
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fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap #8369

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70d5e2b
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb
docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset
jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc
docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment
jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147
docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap
jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b
test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test
jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc
style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware
jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e
Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix
jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c
Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix
jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3
Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix
jacekradko May 1, 2026
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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions .changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md
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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.
35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts
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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

test.use({
extraHTTPHeaders: {
'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
},
});

let app: Application;

test.beforeAll(async () => {
app = await commonSetup.commit();
await app.setup();
await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
await app.dev();
});

test.afterAll(async () => {
await app.teardown();
});

test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
});
});
44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts
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Open in desktop
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
});
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
expect(state.token).toBeNull();
});

it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
signInUrl: '/sign-in',
signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
});

expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
});

it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
});

it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
message: 'no keys yet',
});

expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
});
});

describe('handshake', () => {
it('includes debug headers', () => {
const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down
54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts
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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix

@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.

@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
AuthStatus,
constants,
createBootstrapSignedOutState,
createClerkRequest,
createRedirect,
getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
});
});

/**
* Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
* bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
*/
const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

const options = {
publishableKey: '',
secretKey: '',
signInUrl,
signUpUrl,
...resolvedParams,
};

clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

if (options.debug) {
logger.enable();
}

const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

return runHandlerWithRequestState({
clerkRequest,
request,
event,
requestState,
handler,
options,
resolvedParams,
keyless,
logger,
});
});

const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
/**
* This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

/**
* In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
*/
if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
const res = NextResponse.next();
setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
[constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
});
return res;
return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
}

return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
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(function() {
function addCopyButtons() {
document.querySelectorAll('pre code').forEach(function(codeBlock) {
if (codeBlock.parentElement.hasAttribute('data-copy-added')) return;
codeBlock.parentElement.setAttribute('data-copy-added', 'true');
var btn = document.createElement('button');
btn.textContent = 'Copy';
btn.style.cssText = 'position:absolute;top:4px;right:4px;padding:2px 8px;font-size:11px;background:#4ecdc4;border:none;border-radius:4px;color:#1a1a2e;cursor:pointer;opacity:0.7;transition:opacity 0.2s;';
btn.onmouseover = function() { this.style.opacity = '1'; };
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observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
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})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "github.com";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + "github\\.com" + '
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap by jacekradko · Pull Request #8369 · clerk/javascript · GitHub
Skip to content
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap#8369

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to your account

 Merged

jacekradko
merged 9 commits into

from

May 1, 2026
 Merged


fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
#8369
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70d5e2b

fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb

docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc

docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147

docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b

test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc

style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026

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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions
.changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.

35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions
integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
 test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

 test.use({
 extraHTTPHeaders: {
 'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
 },
 });

 let app: Application;

 test.beforeAll(async () => {
 app = await commonSetup.commit();
 await app.setup();
 await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
 await app.dev();
 });

 test.afterAll(async () => {
 await app.teardown();
 });

 test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
 await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
 await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
 await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
 });
});

44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion
packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
 describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
 });
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
 it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

 expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
 expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
 expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
 expect(state.token).toBeNull();
 });

 it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 signInUrl: '/sign-in',
 signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
 });

 expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
 expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
 });

 it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
 const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

 expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 });

 it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
 message: 'no keys yet',
 });

 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
 });
});

describe('handshake', () => {
 it('includes debug headers', () => {
 const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down

54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions
packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts

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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix
@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.
@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
 AuthStatus,
 constants,
 createBootstrapSignedOutState,
 createClerkRequest,
 createRedirect,
 getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 });
 });

 /**
 * Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
 * bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
 */
 const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
 const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
 const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

 const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
 const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

 const options = {
 publishableKey: '',
 secretKey: '',
 signInUrl,
 signUpUrl,
 ...resolvedParams,
 };

 clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

 if (options.debug) {
 logger.enable();
 }

 const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
 logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
 logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

 const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

 return runHandlerWithRequestState({
 clerkRequest,
 request,
 event,
 requestState,
 handler,
 options,
 resolvedParams,
 keyless,
 logger,
 });
 });

 const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
 /**
 * This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
 const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

 /**
 * In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
 */
 if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
 const res = NextResponse.next();
 setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
 [constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
 });
 return res;
 return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
 }

 return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
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(function() {
var style = document.createElement('style');
style.textContent = '
.markdown-body {
color-scheme: dark light;
}
.markdown-body pre { background: #161b22 !important; }
.markdown-body code { background: rgba(110, 118, 129, 0.4) !important; }
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fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap by jacekradko · Pull Request #8369 · clerk/javascript · GitHub
Skip to content
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap#8369

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 Merged

jacekradko
merged 9 commits into

from

May 1, 2026
 Merged


fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
#8369
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70d5e2b

fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb

docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc

docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147

docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b

test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc

style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026

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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions
.changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.

35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions
integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
 test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

 test.use({
 extraHTTPHeaders: {
 'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
 },
 });

 let app: Application;

 test.beforeAll(async () => {
 app = await commonSetup.commit();
 await app.setup();
 await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
 await app.dev();
 });

 test.afterAll(async () => {
 await app.teardown();
 });

 test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
 await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
 await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
 await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
 });
});

44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion
packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
 describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
 });
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
 it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

 expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
 expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
 expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
 expect(state.token).toBeNull();
 });

 it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 signInUrl: '/sign-in',
 signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
 });

 expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
 expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
 });

 it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
 const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

 expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 });

 it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
 message: 'no keys yet',
 });

 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
 });
});

describe('handshake', () => {
 it('includes debug headers', () => {
 const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down

54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions
packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts

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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix
@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.
@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
 AuthStatus,
 constants,
 createBootstrapSignedOutState,
 createClerkRequest,
 createRedirect,
 getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 });
 });

 /**
 * Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
 * bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
 */
 const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
 const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
 const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

 const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
 const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

 const options = {
 publishableKey: '',
 secretKey: '',
 signInUrl,
 signUpUrl,
 ...resolvedParams,
 };

 clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

 if (options.debug) {
 logger.enable();
 }

 const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
 logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
 logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

 const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

 return runHandlerWithRequestState({
 clerkRequest,
 request,
 event,
 requestState,
 handler,
 options,
 resolvedParams,
 keyless,
 logger,
 });
 });

 const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
 /**
 * This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
 const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

 /**
 * In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
 */
 if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
 const res = NextResponse.next();
 setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
 [constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
 });
 return res;
 return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
 }

 return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
Loading

, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Highlight search terms from Google/DuckDuckGo/Bing referrer
(function() {
var ref = document.referrer;
var terms = [];
if (ref.includes('google.com') || ref.includes('duckduckgo.com') || ref.includes('bing.com')) {
var url = new URL(ref);
var q = url.searchParams.get('q') || url.searchParams.get('p');
if (q) {
terms = q.split(/\s+/).filter(function(t) { return t.length > 2; });
}
}
if (terms.length === 0) return;
var style = document.createElement('style');
style.textContent = '.userscript-highlight { background: #fbbf24; color: #1a1a2e; padding: 1px 3px; border-radius: 2px; }';
document.head.appendChild(style);
function highlight(node) {
if (node.nodeType === 3) { // text node
var text = node.textContent;
var found = false;
terms.forEach(function(term) {
var regex = new RegExp('(' + term.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, '\\') + ')', 'gi');
if (regex.test(text)) {
found = true;
var frag = document.createDocumentFragment();
var parts = text.split(regex);
parts.forEach(function(part, i) {
if (i % 2 === 0) {
frag.appendChild(document.createTextNode(part));
} else {
var span = document.createElement('span');
span.className = 'userscript-highlight';
span.textContent = part;
frag.appendChild(span);
}
});
node.parentNode.replaceChild(frag, node);
}
});
} else if (node.nodeType === 1 && node.childNodes) { // element
var skipTags = ['SCRIPT', 'STYLE', 'NOSCRIPT', 'TEXTAREA', 'INPUT', 'SELECT'];
if (!skipTags.includes(node.tagName)) {
Array.from(node.childNodes).forEach(highlight);
}
}
}
highlight(document.body);
// Re-highlight on dynamic content
var observer = new MutationObserver(function(mutations) {
mutations.forEach(function(m) {
m.addedNodes.forEach(function(node) {
if (node.nodeType === 1 || node.nodeType === 3) highlight(node);
});
});
});
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Highlight Search Terms]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "*";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + ".*" + '
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap by jacekradko · Pull Request #8369 · clerk/javascript · GitHub
Skip to content
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap#8369

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jacekradko
merged 9 commits into

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May 1, 2026
 Merged


fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
#8369
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70d5e2b

fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb

docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc

docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147

docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b

test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc

style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026

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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions
.changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md

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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.

35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions
integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts

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Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
 test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

 test.use({
 extraHTTPHeaders: {
 'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
 },
 });

 let app: Application;

 test.beforeAll(async () => {
 app = await commonSetup.commit();
 await app.setup();
 await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
 await app.dev();
 });

 test.afterAll(async () => {
 await app.teardown();
 });

 test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
 await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
 await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
 await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
 });
});

44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion
packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts

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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
 describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
 });
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
 it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

 expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
 expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
 expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
 expect(state.token).toBeNull();
 });

 it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 signInUrl: '/sign-in',
 signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
 });

 expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
 expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
 });

 it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
 const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

 expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 });

 it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
 message: 'no keys yet',
 });

 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
 });
});

describe('handshake', () => {
 it('includes debug headers', () => {
 const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down

54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions
packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts

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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix
@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.
@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
 AuthStatus,
 constants,
 createBootstrapSignedOutState,
 createClerkRequest,
 createRedirect,
 getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 });
 });

 /**
 * Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
 * bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
 */
 const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
 const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
 const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

 const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
 const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

 const options = {
 publishableKey: '',
 secretKey: '',
 signInUrl,
 signUpUrl,
 ...resolvedParams,
 };

 clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

 if (options.debug) {
 logger.enable();
 }

 const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
 logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
 logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

 const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

 return runHandlerWithRequestState({
 clerkRequest,
 request,
 event,
 requestState,
 handler,
 options,
 resolvedParams,
 keyless,
 logger,
 });
 });

 const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
 /**
 * This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
 const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

 /**
 * In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
 */
 if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
 const res = NextResponse.next();
 setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
 [constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
 });
 return res;
 return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
 }

 return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
Loading

, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Strip utm_, fbclid, gclid, etc. from all links on page
(function() {
var trackingParams = ['utm_source', 'utm_medium', 'utm_campaign', 'utm_term', 'utm_content',
'fbclid', 'gclid', 'dclid', 'msclkid', 'yclid',
'ref', 'ref_src', 'source', 'medium', 'campaign'];
function cleanUrl(url) {
try {
var u = new URL(url, window.location.origin);
var changed = false;
trackingParams.forEach(function(p) {
if (u.searchParams.has(p)) {
u.searchParams.delete(p);
changed = true;
}
});
return changed ? u.toString() : url;
} catch (e) {
return url;
}
}
function cleanLinks() {
document.querySelectorAll('a[href]').forEach(function(a) {
var clean = cleanUrl(a.href);
if (clean !== a.href) a.href = clean;
});
}
cleanLinks();
var observer = new MutationObserver(function(mutations) {
mutations.forEach(function(m) {
m.addedNodes.forEach(function(node) {
if (node.nodeType === 1) {
if (node.tagName === 'A') cleanLinks();
node.querySelectorAll('a[href]').forEach(function(a) {
var clean = cleanUrl(a.href);
if (clean !== a.href) a.href = clean;
});
}
});
});
});
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Remove Tracking Parameters from Links]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "youtube.com";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + "youtube\\.com" + '
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap by jacekradko · Pull Request #8369 · clerk/javascript · GitHub
Skip to content
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap#8369

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 Merged

jacekradko
merged 9 commits into

from

May 1, 2026
 Merged


fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
#8369
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70d5e2b

fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb

docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc

docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147

docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b

test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc

style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026

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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions
.changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.

35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions
integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
 test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

 test.use({
 extraHTTPHeaders: {
 'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
 },
 });

 let app: Application;

 test.beforeAll(async () => {
 app = await commonSetup.commit();
 await app.setup();
 await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
 await app.dev();
 });

 test.afterAll(async () => {
 await app.teardown();
 });

 test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
 await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
 await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
 await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
 });
});

44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion
packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
 describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
 });
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
 it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

 expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
 expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
 expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
 expect(state.token).toBeNull();
 });

 it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 signInUrl: '/sign-in',
 signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
 });

 expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
 expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
 });

 it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
 const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

 expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 });

 it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
 message: 'no keys yet',
 });

 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
 });
});

describe('handshake', () => {
 it('includes debug headers', () => {
 const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down

54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions
packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts

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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix
@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.
@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
 AuthStatus,
 constants,
 createBootstrapSignedOutState,
 createClerkRequest,
 createRedirect,
 getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 });
 });

 /**
 * Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
 * bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
 */
 const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
 const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
 const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

 const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
 const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

 const options = {
 publishableKey: '',
 secretKey: '',
 signInUrl,
 signUpUrl,
 ...resolvedParams,
 };

 clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

 if (options.debug) {
 logger.enable();
 }

 const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
 logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
 logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

 const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

 return runHandlerWithRequestState({
 clerkRequest,
 request,
 event,
 requestState,
 handler,
 options,
 resolvedParams,
 keyless,
 logger,
 });
 });

 const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
 /**
 * This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
 const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

 /**
 * In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
 */
 if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
 const res = NextResponse.next();
 setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
 [constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
 });
 return res;
 return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
 }

 return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
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, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Auto-enable theater mode on YouTube
(function() {
function tryTheater() {
var btn = document.querySelector('button[aria-label="Theater mode"], ytd-player #player button[title="Theater mode"]');
if (btn && !btn.classList.contains('activated')) {
btn.click();
}
}
// Try immediately
tryTheater();
// Try after navigation (SPA)
var lastUrl = location.href;
setInterval(function() {
if (location.href !== lastUrl) {
lastUrl = location.href;
setTimeout(tryTheater, 500);
}
}, 1000);
// Also try on player load
var observer = new MutationObserver(tryTheater);
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:YouTube Theater Mode Default]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "*";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + ".*" + '
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap by jacekradko · Pull Request #8369 · clerk/javascript · GitHub
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fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap#8369

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jacekradko
merged 9 commits into

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May 1, 2026
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fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
#8369
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70d5e2b

fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb

docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc

docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147

docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b

test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc

style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026

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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions
.changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md

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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.

35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions
integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts

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Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
 test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

 test.use({
 extraHTTPHeaders: {
 'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
 },
 });

 let app: Application;

 test.beforeAll(async () => {
 app = await commonSetup.commit();
 await app.setup();
 await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
 await app.dev();
 });

 test.afterAll(async () => {
 await app.teardown();
 });

 test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
 await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
 await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
 await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
 });
});

44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion
packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts

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Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
 describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
 });
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
 it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

 expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
 expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
 expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
 expect(state.token).toBeNull();
 });

 it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 signInUrl: '/sign-in',
 signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
 });

 expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
 expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
 });

 it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
 const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

 expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 });

 it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
 message: 'no keys yet',
 });

 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
 });
});

describe('handshake', () => {
 it('includes debug headers', () => {
 const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down

54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions
packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts

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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix
@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.
@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
 AuthStatus,
 constants,
 createBootstrapSignedOutState,
 createClerkRequest,
 createRedirect,
 getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 });
 });

 /**
 * Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
 * bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
 */
 const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
 const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
 const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

 const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
 const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

 const options = {
 publishableKey: '',
 secretKey: '',
 signInUrl,
 signUpUrl,
 ...resolvedParams,
 };

 clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

 if (options.debug) {
 logger.enable();
 }

 const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
 logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
 logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

 const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

 return runHandlerWithRequestState({
 clerkRequest,
 request,
 event,
 requestState,
 handler,
 options,
 resolvedParams,
 keyless,
 logger,
 });
 });

 const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
 /**
 * This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
 const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

 /**
 * In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
 */
 if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
 const res = NextResponse.next();
 setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
 [constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
 });
 return res;
 return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
 }

 return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
Loading

, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Remove or un-stick sticky/fixed headers that block content
(function() {
function unstick() {
document.querySelectorAll('header, nav, [role="banner"], .header, .navbar, .sticky, .fixed-top, [style*="position: fixed"], [style*="position:sticky"]').forEach(function(el) {
if (el.style.position === 'fixed' || el.style.position === 'sticky' || getComputedStyle(el).position === 'fixed' || getComputedStyle(el).position === 'sticky') {
el.style.position = 'static';
el.style.top = 'auto';
el.style.zIndex = 'auto';
}
});
}
unstick();
var observer = new MutationObserver(unstick);
observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true, attributes: true, attributeFilter: ['style', 'class'] });
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Kill Sticky Headers]', __e); }
})();
(function(){
try {
var __m = "*";
var __re = new RegExp('^' + ".*" + '
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap by jacekradko · Pull Request #8369 · clerk/javascript · GitHub
Skip to content
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap#8369

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 Merged

jacekradko
merged 9 commits into

from

May 1, 2026
 Merged


fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
#8369
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70d5e2b

fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb

docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc

docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147

docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b

test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc

style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026

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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions
.changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.

35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions
integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
 test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

 test.use({
 extraHTTPHeaders: {
 'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
 },
 });

 let app: Application;

 test.beforeAll(async () => {
 app = await commonSetup.commit();
 await app.setup();
 await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
 await app.dev();
 });

 test.afterAll(async () => {
 await app.teardown();
 });

 test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
 await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
 await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
 await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
 });
});

44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion
packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts

View file


Open in desktop

Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
 describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
 });
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
 it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

 expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
 expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
 expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
 expect(state.token).toBeNull();
 });

 it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 signInUrl: '/sign-in',
 signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
 });

 expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
 expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
 });

 it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
 const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

 expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 });

 it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
 message: 'no keys yet',
 });

 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
 });
});

describe('handshake', () => {
 it('includes debug headers', () => {
 const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down

54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions
packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts

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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix
@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.
@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
 AuthStatus,
 constants,
 createBootstrapSignedOutState,
 createClerkRequest,
 createRedirect,
 getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 });
 });

 /**
 * Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
 * bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
 */
 const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
 const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
 const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

 const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
 const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

 const options = {
 publishableKey: '',
 secretKey: '',
 signInUrl,
 signUpUrl,
 ...resolvedParams,
 };

 clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

 if (options.debug) {
 logger.enable();
 }

 const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
 logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
 logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

 const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

 return runHandlerWithRequestState({
 clerkRequest,
 request,
 event,
 requestState,
 handler,
 options,
 resolvedParams,
 keyless,
 logger,
 });
 });

 const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
 /**
 * This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
 const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

 /**
 * In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
 */
 if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
 const res = NextResponse.next();
 setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
 [constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
 });
 return res;
 return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
 }

 return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
Loading

, 'i');
if (__m === '*' || __re.test(location.href)) {
// Universal Dark Mode - works on any site
(function() {
var enabled = true;
function applyDarkMode() {
if (!enabled) return;
// Create style element if it doesn't exist
var style = document.getElementById('universal-dark-mode-style');
if (!style) {
style = document.createElement('style');
style.id = 'universal-dark-mode-style';
document.head.appendChild(style);
}
// Dark mode CSS - inverts colors but preserves images/video
style.textContent = '
/* Invert everything except media */
html {
filter: invert(1) hue-rotate(180deg) !important;
background: #1a1a2e !important;
}
/* Restore images, videos, iframes, canvas */
img, video, iframe, canvas, svg, picture, [style*="background-image"] {
filter: invert(1) hue-rotate(180deg) !important;
}
/* Preserve specific elements that should not be inverted */
.no-dark-mode, .no-dark-mode *,
[data-theme="light"], [data-theme="light"],
.ace_editor, .ace_editor *,
.CodeMirror, .CodeMirror *,
.monaco-editor, .monaco-editor *,
.markdown-body pre, .markdown-body pre *,
.highlight, .highlight *,
pre code, pre code * {
filter: none !important;
}
/* Fix common UI elements */
.modal, .popup, .dropdown-menu, .tooltip, .popover {
filter: invert(1) hue-rotate(180deg) !important;
background: #2d2d44 !important;
border-color: #444 !important;
}
/* Scrollbars */
::-webkit-scrollbar { background: #1a1a2e !important; }
::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: #444 !important; }
::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover { background: #555 !important; }
/* Selection */
::selection { background: #4ecdc4 !important; color: #1a1a2e !important; }
::-moz-selection { background: #4ecdc4 !important; color: #1a1a2e !important; }
';
}
function removeDarkMode() {
var style = document.getElementById('universal-dark-mode-style');
if (style) style.remove();
}
// Toggle with Alt+Shift+D
document.addEventListener('keydown', function(e) {
if (e.altKey && e.shiftKey && e.key === 'D') {
e.preventDefault();
enabled = !enabled;
if (enabled) {
applyDarkMode();
console.log('[Universal Dark Mode] Enabled');
} else {
removeDarkMode();
console.log('[Universal Dark Mode] Disabled');
}
}
});
// Apply on load
applyDarkMode();
// Re-apply on dynamic content
var observer = new MutationObserver(function(mutations) {
if (enabled && !document.getElementById('universal-dark-mode-style')) {
applyDarkMode();
}
});
observer.observe(document.head, { childList: true });
console.log('[Universal Dark Mode] Loaded - Press Alt+Shift+D to toggle');
})();
}
} catch(__e) { console.warn('[Userscript:Universal Dark Mode]', __e); }
})();
})();
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap by jacekradko · Pull Request #8369 · clerk/javascript · GitHub
Skip to content
fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap#8369

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 Merged

jacekradko
merged 9 commits into

from

May 1, 2026
 Merged


fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap
#8369
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70d5e2b

fix(nextjs): enforce middleware authorization during keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 21, 2026
bdfe9cb

docs(nextjs): shorten keyless middleware changeset


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
4e41cdc

docs(nextjs): shorten bootstrap middleware comment


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
f12b147

docs(nextjs): drop redundant call-site comment for keyless bootstrap


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
c187b2b

test(nextjs): add keyless middleware authorization integration test


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
7cce0dc

style(nextjs): apply prettier to clerkMiddleware


jacekradko Apr 22, 2026
0ccf58e

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko Apr 23, 2026
3dc4e6c

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026
eb0d6e3

Merge branch 'main' into jacek/sdk-70-keyless-fix


jacekradko May 1, 2026

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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions
.changeset/sdk-70-keyless-middleware-bypass-fix.md

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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
'@clerk/nextjs': patch
---

Enforce middleware authorization during the keyless bootstrap window. `auth.protect()` and custom authorization checks now fail closed instead of being bypassed while the publishable key is being provisioned.

35 changes: 35 additions & 0 deletions
integration/tests/next-middleware-keyless.test.ts

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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';

import type { Application } from '../models/application';
import { appConfigs } from '../presets';

const commonSetup = appConfigs.next.appRouter.clone();

test.describe('Keyless mode | middleware authorization @nextjs', () => {
 test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' });

 test.use({
 extraHTTPHeaders: {
 'x-vercel-protection-bypass': process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET || '',
 },
 });

 let app: Application;

 test.beforeAll(async () => {
 app = await commonSetup.commit();
 await app.setup();
 await app.withEnv(appConfigs.envs.withKeyless);
 await app.dev();
 });

 test.afterAll(async () => {
 await app.teardown();
 });

 test('auth.protect() in middleware redirects to sign-in during keyless bootstrap', async ({ page }) => {
 await page.goto(`${app.serverUrl}/protected`);
 await page.waitForURL(/\/sign-in/);
 await expect(page.getByTestId('protected')).not.toBeVisible();
 });
});

44 changes: 43 additions & 1 deletion
packages/backend/src/tokens/__tests__/authStatus.test.ts

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Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';

import { mockTokens, mockVerificationResults } from '../../fixtures/machine';
import type { AuthenticateContext } from '../../tokens/authenticateContext';
import { handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';
import { createBootstrapSignedOutState, handshake, signedIn, signedOut } from '../authStatus';

describe('signed-in', () => {
 describe('session tokens', () => {
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -132,6 +132,48 @@ describe('signed-out', () => {
 });
});

describe('createBootstrapSignedOutState', () => {
 it('returns a signed-out session_token state with no publishable key', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState();

 expect(state.status).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 expect(state.isSignedIn).toBe(false);
 expect(state.isAuthenticated).toBe(false);
 expect(state.publishableKey).toBe('');
 expect(state.token).toBeNull();
 });

 it('applies provided signInUrl and signUpUrl', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 signInUrl: '/sign-in',
 signUpUrl: '/sign-up',
 });

 expect(state.signInUrl).toBe('/sign-in');
 expect(state.signUpUrl).toBe('/sign-up');
 });

 it('toAuth() returns a signed-out auth object without throwing', () => {
 const authObject = createBootstrapSignedOutState().toAuth();

 expect(authObject.userId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.sessionId).toBeNull();
 expect(authObject.tokenType).toBe('session_token');
 });

 it('includes debug headers on the state', () => {
 const state = createBootstrapSignedOutState({
 reason: 'session-token-and-uat-missing',
 message: 'no keys yet',
 });

 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-status')).toBe('signed-out');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-reason')).toBe('session-token-and-uat-missing');
 expect(state.headers.get('x-clerk-auth-message')).toBe('no keys yet');
 });
});

describe('handshake', () => {
 it('includes debug headers', () => {
 const headers = new Headers({ location: '/' });
Expand Down

54 changes: 46 additions & 8 deletions
packages/nextjs/src/server/clerkMiddleware.ts

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@wobsorianowobsorianoApr 24, 2026

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I believe this fix only needs to be applied in Next SDK right? Since it has a special keyless bootstrap path before the PK is available. The other SDKs resolve keyless keys before auth runs, so they likely not need the same fix
@jacekradkojacekradkoMay 1, 2026

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Yes, that is correct.
@wobsorianowobsorianoMay 1, 2026

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thanks for answering
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
Expand Up@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type {
import {
 AuthStatus,
 constants,
 createBootstrapSignedOutState,
 createClerkRequest,
 createRedirect,
 getAuthObjectForAcceptedToken,
Expand DownExpand Up@@ -239,6 +240,50 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 });
 });

 /**
 * Runs the user's handler against a synthetic signed-out `RequestState` during the keyless
 * bootstrap window, so authorization fails closed until a publishable key is provisioned.
 */
 const bootstrapNextMiddleware: NextMiddleware = withLogger('clerkMiddleware', logger => async (request, event) => {
 const resolvedParams = typeof params === 'function' ? await params(request) : params;
 const keyless = await getKeylessCookieValue(name => request.cookies.get(name)?.value);

 const signInUrl = resolvedParams.signInUrl || SIGN_IN_URL || '';
 const signUpUrl = resolvedParams.signUpUrl || SIGN_UP_URL || '';

 const options = {
 publishableKey: '',
 secretKey: '',
 signInUrl,
 signUpUrl,
 ...resolvedParams,
 };

 clerkMiddlewareRequestDataStore.set('requestData', options);

 if (options.debug) {
 logger.enable();
 }

 const clerkRequest = createClerkRequest(request);
 logger.debug('keyless bootstrap (no publishable key)', () => ({ signInUrl, signUpUrl }));
 logger.debug('url', () => clerkRequest.toJSON());

 const requestState = createBootstrapSignedOutState({ signInUrl, signUpUrl });

 return runHandlerWithRequestState({
 clerkRequest,
 request,
 event,
 requestState,
 handler,
 options,
 resolvedParams,
 keyless,
 logger,
 });
 });

 const keylessMiddleware: NextMiddleware = async (request, event) => {
 /**
 * This mechanism replaces a full-page reload. Ensures that middleware will re-run and authenticate the request properly without the secret key or publishable key to be missing.
Expand All@@ -253,15 +298,8 @@ export const clerkMiddleware = ((...args: unknown[]): NextMiddleware | NextMiddl
 const isMissingPublishableKey = !(resolvedParams.publishableKey || PUBLISHABLE_KEY || keyless?.publishableKey);
 const authHeader = getHeader(request, constants.Headers.Authorization)?.replace('Bearer ', '') ?? '';

 /**
 * In keyless mode, if the publishable key is missing, let the request through, to render `<ClerkProvider/>` that will resume the flow gracefully.
 */
 if (isMissingPublishableKey && !isMachineTokenByPrefix(authHeader)) {
 const res = NextResponse.next();
 setRequestHeadersOnNextResponse(res, request, {
 [constants.Headers.AuthStatus]: 'signed-out',
 });
 return res;
 return bootstrapNextMiddleware(request, event);
 }

 return baseNextMiddleware(request, event);
Expand Down
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