Next

How to set up Clerk authentication with passkeys in Next.js 16 App Router?

November 28, 2025

download ready
Thank You
Your submission has been received.
We will be in touch and contact you soon!

Clerk handles passkeys natively; wrap app in <ClerkProvider>, use middleware for protected routes.

Example:-

Step 1: Install Package

Code

npm i @clerk/nextjs

Step 2: Environment Variables (.env.local)

Code

NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_test_xxx
CLERK_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_xxx
NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_SIGN_IN_URL=/sign-in
NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_SIGN_UP_URL=/sign-up

Step 3: Root Layout (app/layout.tsx)

Code

import { ClerkProvider } from '@clerk/nextjs';

export default function RootLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode;
}) {
  return (
    <ClerkProvider publishableKey={process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY!}>
      <html lang="en">
        <body>{children}</body>
      </html>
    </ClerkProvider>
  );
}

Step 4: Middleware (middleware.ts)

Code

import { authMiddleware } from '@clerk/nextjs/server';

export default authMiddleware({
  publicRoutes: ['/']
});

export const config = {
  matcher: ['/((?!.+\\.[\\w]+$|_next).*)', '/', '/(api|trpc)(.*)']
};

Step 5: Protected Page (app/dashboard/page.tsx)

Code

import { UserButton, currentUser } from '@clerk/nextjs/server';

export default async function Dashboard() {
  const user = await currentUser();
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome {user?.firstName}</h1>
      <UserButton afterSignOutUrl="/" />
    </div>
  );
}

Step 6: Enable Passkeys (Clerk Dashboard > Authentication > Passkeys > Enable).

Arrow icon

Previous

Next

Arrow icon
Hire Now!

Need Help with Next Development ?

Work with our skilled next developers to accelerate your project and boost its performance.
**Hire now**Hire Now**Hire Now**Hire now**Hire now

Related Q&A

blog-banner-img
calender
December 8, 2025

How can we implement AI integration using Vercel AI SDK in Next.js 16 Edge Functions?

Next
All
blog-banner-img
calender
December 8, 2025

How can we set up Proxy middleware using proxy.ts in Next.js 16 for API routes?

Next
All
blog-banner-img
calender
December 8, 2025

How to solve timeouts and latency issues in Edge Functions using Node.js 24?

Next
All
Ready to Build
Something Amazing?
Got an Idea?
We got you.
Need a Tech Partner
You Can Trust?
Got Challenges?
We’ve Got Solutions.
Your Vision,
Our Mission.
Let’s talk.
Project Inquiry
Email iconhello@zignuts.com
Call icon+49 3056837888
Call icon+1 4088728242
Career Inquiry
Email icontalent@zignuts.com
Call icon+91 9427726620
India
A-409, Siddhraj Zori, Gandhinagar, 382421, Gujarat, India
Germany
Rheinsberger Str. 76,10115 Berlin, Germany
USA
611 Gateway Blvd, South San francisco, CA 94080, USA
Company Deck

Company Deck

PDF, 3MB

© 2026 Zignuts Technolab. All Rights Reserved.

Facebook iconTwitter iconInstagram iconYoutube iconLinkedIn iconSocial icon

How to set up Clerk authentication with passkeys in Next.js 16 App Router?

Clerk handles passkeys natively; wrap app in <ClerkProvider>, use middleware for protected routes.

Example:-

Step 1: Install Package

Code

npm i @clerk/nextjs

Step 2: Environment Variables (.env.local)

Code

NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=pk_test_xxx
CLERK_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_xxx
NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_SIGN_IN_URL=/sign-in
NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_SIGN_UP_URL=/sign-up

Step 3: Root Layout (app/layout.tsx)

Code

import { ClerkProvider } from '@clerk/nextjs';

export default function RootLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode;
}) {
  return (
    <ClerkProvider publishableKey={process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY!}>
      <html lang="en">
        <body>{children}</body>
      </html>
    </ClerkProvider>
  );
}

Step 4: Middleware (middleware.ts)

Code

import { authMiddleware } from '@clerk/nextjs/server';

export default authMiddleware({
  publicRoutes: ['/']
});

export const config = {
  matcher: ['/((?!.+\\.[\\w]+$|_next).*)', '/', '/(api|trpc)(.*)']
};

Step 5: Protected Page (app/dashboard/page.tsx)

Code

import { UserButton, currentUser } from '@clerk/nextjs/server';

export default async function Dashboard() {
  const user = await currentUser();
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome {user?.firstName}</h1>
      <UserButton afterSignOutUrl="/" />
    </div>
  );
}

Step 6: Enable Passkeys (Clerk Dashboard > Authentication > Passkeys > Enable).