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title Authentication Registration Flow
description Technical documentation of user registration process
detail_level Implementation details
tags
flow
authentication
registration
verification
revised false

Authentication Registration Flow

This document describes the user registration process in meows.space, including account creation, email verification, and initial profile setup.

Flow Diagram

sequenceDiagram
    participant User
    participant Browser
    participant AuthService
    participant EmailService
    participant Database

    %% Standard Registration Flow
    User->>Browser: Access Registration Page
    Browser->>User: Display Registration Form
    User->>Browser: Submit Registration Details
    Browser->>AuthService: Validate Input

    alt Invalid Input
        AuthService-->>Browser: Return Validation Errors
        Browser-->>User: Display Error Messages
    else Valid Input
        AuthService->>Database: Check Email Uniqueness

        alt Email Already Exists
            Database-->>AuthService: Return Conflict
            AuthService-->>Browser: Return Error
            Browser-->>User: Display "Email in Use" Message
        else Email Available
            AuthService->>Database: Create User Account
            AuthService->>EmailService: Generate Verification Token
            EmailService->>User: Send Verification Email
            AuthService-->>Browser: Return Success
            Browser-->>User: Display Verification Instructions
        end
    end

    %% Email Verification Flow
    User->>Browser: Click Verification Link
    Browser->>AuthService: Submit Verification Token
    AuthService->>Database: Validate Token

    alt Invalid/Expired Token
        AuthService-->>Browser: Return Error
        Browser-->>User: Display Error Message
        User->>Browser: Request New Verification Email
        Browser->>AuthService: Request Token Regeneration
        AuthService->>EmailService: Generate New Token
        EmailService->>User: Send New Verification Email
    else Valid Token
        AuthService->>Database: Update Verification Status
        AuthService-->>Browser: Return Success
        Browser-->>User: Display Success Message
        Browser->>User: Redirect to Profile Setup
    end

    %% Profile Setup Flow
    Browser->>User: Display Profile Setup Form
    User->>Browser: Submit Profile Information
    Browser->>AuthService: Save Profile Data
    AuthService->>Database: Update User Profile
    AuthService-->>Browser: Return Success
    Browser-->>User: Redirect to Dashboard
Loading

Flow Description

Registration Process

  1. Account Creation

    • User navigates to registration page
    • System displays registration form with required fields:
      • Email address
      • Password (with strength requirements)
      • Password confirmation
      • Terms of service acceptance
    • User submits registration details
    • System validates input:
      • Email format validation
      • Password strength requirements
      • Terms acceptance verification
    • System checks email uniqueness in database
    • If email is available, user account is created with:
      • Hashed password
      • Unverified status
      • Registration timestamp
      • Unique verification token
    • If email exists, appropriate error message is displayed

  2. Email Verification

    • System generates a secure verification token
    • Verification email is sent to user's email address
    • Email contains verification link with embedded token
    • User clicks verification link in email
    • System validates the verification token
    • If token is valid:
      • User account is marked as verified
      • User is redirected to profile setup
    • If token is invalid or expired:
      • Error message is displayed
      • Option to request new verification email is provided

  3. Profile Setup

    • After verification, user is prompted to complete profile
    • Profile setup form includes:
      • Display name
      • Profile picture (optional)
      • Default preferences
    • User submits profile information
    • System saves profile data
    • User is redirected to dashboard with completed account

Alternative Registration Methods

  1. OAuth Provider Registration

    • User selects "Register with [Provider]"
    • OAuth flow is initiated with the provider
    • Upon successful authentication, system:
      • Creates new user account if email is unique
      • Links to existing account if email already exists
      • Marks email as verified (trusted from provider)
      • Redirects to profile setup if new account

  2. Invitation-Based Registration

    • User receives invitation email with registration link
    • Link contains pre-verified token and invitation code
    • Registration form pre-fills email from invitation
    • Upon submission, account is created with verified status
    • User bypasses email verification step
    • User proceeds directly to profile setup

Security Considerations

  • Registration rate limiting prevents abuse
  • Email verification prevents account spoofing
  • Password requirements enforce minimum security standards:
    • Minimum 8 characters
    • Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
    • Not matching common password patterns
  • HTTPS is required for all registration operations
  • Verification tokens expire after 24 hours
  • Verification links are single-use only
  • Registration IP address is logged for security monitoring

Error Handling

  • Validation errors provide specific feedback on form issues
  • Email uniqueness checks prevent duplicate accounts
  • Token expiration provides clear renewal path
  • Network errors during registration display user-friendly messages
  • Incomplete registrations can be resumed

Related Documentation