Rust JWT Authentication API Guide

Building an Authentication API

Rust authentication API uses JWT for secure endpoints.

Introduction to JWT in Rust

JSON Web Tokens (JWT) are a compact and self-contained way for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. This information can be verified and trusted because it is digitally signed. In Rust, JWTs are commonly used for securing API endpoints.

Setting Up a Rust Project

Before we implement JWT authentication, let's set up a new Rust project. Run the following command to create a new project:

Navigate into the project directory:

Adding Dependencies

To handle JWTs in Rust, we need to add dependencies to our Cargo.toml file. Add the following dependencies:

Creating JWT Tokens

JWTs are created using a secret key and a set of claims. Let's create a function to generate a JWT:

Verifying JWT Tokens

To verify a JWT, decode it using the secret key. Here's a function to verify and decode a JWT:

Securing Endpoints with JWT

With the JWT functions in place, let's secure an API endpoint using Actix Web. We will create a simple HTTP server with a protected route that requires a valid JWT for access.

Rust Authentication API