Better Auth + Convex + TanStack Start

Overview

This skill provides guidance for integrating Better Auth authentication with Convex backend and TanStack Start framework. It covers the complete setup process from installation to SSR-compatible authentication flows.

When to Use This Skill

• Setting up authentication in a new Convex + TanStack Start project
• Troubleshooting Better Auth configuration issues
• Implementing sign up, sign in, or sign out flows
• Configuring SSR authentication with expectAuth: true
• Adding authenticated server functions
• Understanding the auth provider hierarchy

Quick Reference

Required Packages

npm install convex@latest @convex-dev/better-auth
npm install better-auth@1.4.9 --save-exact
npm install @types/node --save-dev

Environment Variables

Convex deployment (via CLI):

npx convex env set BETTER_AUTH_SECRET=$(openssl rand -base64 32)
npx convex env set SITE_URL http://localhost:3000

.env.local:

CONVEX_DEPLOYMENT=dev:adjective-animal-123
VITE_CONVEX_URL=https://adjective-animal-123.convex.cloud
VITE_CONVEX_SITE_URL=https://adjective-animal-123.convex.site
VITE_SITE_URL=http://localhost:3000

File Structure

File	Purpose
convex/convex.config.ts	Register Better Auth component
convex/auth.config.ts	Configure auth provider
convex/auth.ts	Create Better Auth instance + authComponent
convex/http.ts	Register auth HTTP routes
src/lib/auth-client.ts	Client-side auth utilities
src/lib/auth-server.ts	Server-side auth utilities
src/routes/api/auth/$.ts	Proxy auth requests to Convex
src/routes/__root.tsx	Auth provider wrapper + SSR token

Essential Imports

// Client-side
import { authClient } from '~/lib/auth-client'

// Server-side
import { getToken, fetchAuthQuery, fetchAuthMutation } from '~/lib/auth-server'

// Backend
import { authComponent, createAuth } from './auth'

Auth Check (Backend)

const user = await authComponent.getAuthUser(ctx)
if (!user) throw new Error("Not authenticated")

Sign Out with expectAuth

When using expectAuth: true, reload the page after sign out:

await authClient.signOut({
  fetchOptions: {
    onSuccess: () => location.reload(),
  },
})

Critical Configuration

Vite SSR Bundle

Required in vite.config.ts to avoid module resolution issues:

ssr: {
  noExternal: ['@convex-dev/better-auth'],
}

ConvexQueryClient with expectAuth

Required for seamless SSR authentication:

const convexQueryClient = new ConvexQueryClient(convexUrl, {
  expectAuth: true,
})

Provider Hierarchy

The root component must wrap children in this order:

1. ConvexBetterAuthProvider (outermost)
2. QueryClientProvider
3. RootDocument with <Outlet />

Reference Files

Load the detailed setup guide when implementing authentication:

File	Use When
references/setup-guide.md	Full step-by-step installation and configuration