---
title: Handling Authentication
description: Learn how to authenticate with the AI SDK.
---

# Authentication

<Note type="warning">
  AI SDK RSC is currently experimental. We recommend using [AI SDK
  UI](/docs/ai-sdk-ui/overview) for production. For guidance on migrating from
  RSC to UI, see our [migration guide](/docs/ai-sdk-rsc/migrating-to-ui).
</Note>

The RSC API makes extensive use of [`Server Actions`](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/data-fetching/server-actions-and-mutations) to power streaming values and UI from the server.

Server Actions are exposed as public, unprotected endpoints. As a result, you should treat Server Actions as you would public-facing API endpoints and ensure that the user is authorized to perform the action before returning any data.

```tsx filename="app/actions.tsx"
'use server';

import { cookies } from 'next/headers';
import { createStreamableUI } from '@ai-sdk/rsc';
import { validateToken } from '../utils/auth';

export const getWeather = async () => {
  const token = cookies().get('token');

  if (!token || !validateToken(token)) {
    return {
      error: 'This action requires authentication',
    };
  }
  const streamableDisplay = createStreamableUI(null);

  streamableDisplay.update(<Skeleton />);
  streamableDisplay.done(<Weather />);

  return {
    display: streamableDisplay.value,
  };
};
```
