Guide · Open source
How to use Lucia: an auth library for TypeScript apps
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Lucia is an open-source TypeScript library for handling user authentication, meaning sign-in and session management inside a web app. This guide explains what it is, who it suits, how to get the source code, and how to decide whether it fits your project. The source available for this review was an empty README, so setup details beyond cloning the repository are not covered here.
Lucialucia-auth/lucia · ★ 10.5k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Confirm the fit. Check that your project is a TypeScript web app and that you want an auth library you run yourself rather than a hosted service.
- 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command for the lucia-auth/lucia repository on GitHub to get the source locally.
- 3Open the README. Read the README and docs inside the cloned repository, since the detailed setup steps were not available for this guide.
- 4Follow the build steps. Follow the clone-and-build instructions the project documents, as the source lists this as the install method.
- 5Compare alternatives. If your needs differ, evaluate Auth.js, Passport or Better Auth before you build on Lucia.
What Lucia is and who it is for
Lucia is a code library, not a finished login app or hosted service. You add it to your own TypeScript project and run it yourself. The project describes itself as simple and clean, and its topics mention OAuth, a common standard for sign-in with third-party accounts.
It suits TypeScript developers who want to add login to a web app and prefer an auth library over a hosted service. It is less suited to non-developers, and to projects that need a fully managed auth service with dashboards.
- Good fit: TypeScript developers adding login to a web app
- Good fit: teams that want an auth library they run themselves
- Good fit: teams already comfortable with OAuth-style sign-in
- Poor fit: non-developers looking for a ready-made app
- Poor fit: projects that need a managed service with dashboards
Get the Lucia source code
The README lists a clone-and-build install method. To get the source, clone the repository from GitHub using the command below. The source did not list any prerequisites, so check the project files after cloning for what your environment needs.
git clone https://github.com/lucia-auth/luciaRead the project documentation after cloning
The README content was not available in usable form for this review, so this guide cannot describe the exact build steps, configuration options, or API calls. After cloning, open the README and any docs in the repository and follow them. The project homepage is listed as https://lucia-auth.com.
Check whether Lucia fits your project
Before you commit, compare Lucia with the alternatives this review identified: Auth.js, Passport and Better Auth. Each has a different scope and setup model, so choose based on your framework, your need for OAuth sign-in, and whether you want to run the auth code yourself.
- Confirm your app is a TypeScript web app
- Confirm you want a library you host and maintain yourself
- Confirm you are comfortable with OAuth-style sign-in if you need social login
- Compare against Auth.js, Passport and Better Auth before deciding
What people use it for
- Adding email or account sign-in to a TypeScript web app you host yourself
- Managing user sessions in a custom app where you want the auth code under your control
- Adding OAuth-style sign-in with third-party accounts, if your project needs it
Frequently asked questions
Is Lucia free to use?
Lucia is released under the MIT licence, which is a permissive open-source licence. The project is free to use under those terms, and you should read the licence file in the repository for the full conditions.
How do I install Lucia?
The listed install method is clone-and-build. Run git clone https://github.com/lucia-auth/lucia, then follow the build instructions in the repository. The detailed steps were not available in the source for this guide.
What are the requirements for Lucia?
The source does not list any prerequisites. Lucia is a TypeScript library, so a TypeScript web project is the expected setting, but check the repository for exact requirements.
Is Lucia a hosted authentication service?
No. Lucia is a library that you add to and run within your own project. It is not a managed service and does not include a hosted dashboard, according to the source.
What are the alternatives to Lucia?
The comparable projects identified are Auth.js, Passport and Better Auth. Each differs in scope and setup, so compare them against your framework and sign-in requirements.
Why won't the Lucia setup steps work for me?
This guide had no usable README content, so it cannot diagnose setup errors. Check the repository's README, docs and issue tracker on GitHub for troubleshooting specific to your environment.
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Our verdict
Lucia suits TypeScript developers who want an MIT-licensed auth library they run inside their own web app. It is a poor choice for non-developers or for teams that need a fully managed service with dashboards, and Auth.js, Passport or Better Auth may be better options in those cases. Because the README was unavailable for this review, verify setup details in the repository before you build on it.
Install options & downloads