Create OTP (One Time Password) on Laravel with OTPZ Packages

OTPZ, is a powerful Laravel package created by Ben Bjurstrom (the mind behind Prezet), designed to simplify and secure your application's first-factor authentication using One-Time Passwords (OTPs).

OTPZ offers a robust and user-friendly approach to authentication, replacing traditional passwords with time-sensitive, single-use codes sent directly to users' email inboxes. This method significantly enhances security while providing a smoother login experience for your users.

Key Benefits of OTPZ for Laravel Authentication

OTPZ isn't just about passwordless login; it's packed with features to ensure security and flexibility:

• Rate Limiting: Protect your application from brute-force attacks by limiting OTP generation requests.
• Configurable Expiration: Define how long OTPs remain valid, giving you control over the security window.
• Single-Use Security: OTPs are automatically invalidated after the first successful login, preventing reuse and replay attacks.
• Session Locking: Enhance security further by tying OTPs to the user's active session.
• Brute-Force Protection: Invalidate OTPs and potentially lock accounts after too many failed login attempts.
• Detailed Error Insights: Access comprehensive error messages for easier debugging and monitoring.
• Customizable Email Templates: Tailor the look and feel of your OTP emails to match your brand.
• Auditable Logs: Keep track of OTP activity for security monitoring and compliance.

Setting Up OTPZ in Your Laravel Application: A Step-by-Step Guide

Integrating OTPZ into your Laravel project is straightforward. Follow these simple steps to get started:

1. Install OTPZ via Composer:

Open your terminal and navigate to your Laravel project directory. Run the following Composer command:

Bash

composer require benbjurstrom/otpz

This command fetches and installs the OTPZ package into your project.

2. Publish Migrations and Run Database Migrations:

Next, you need to set up the necessary database schema for OTPZ. Publish the package's migrations using:

Bash

php artisan vendor:publish --tag="otpz-migrations"

Then, run the migrations to create the required tables in your database:

Bash

php artisan migrate

3. Prepare Your User Model:

To enable OTPZ functionality for your users, you need to modify your User model. Open app/Models/User.php and update it as follows:

PHP

<?php

namespace App\Models;

use Illuminate\Foundation\Auth\User as Authenticatable;
use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Factories\HasFactory;
use Illuminate\Notifications\Notifiable;
use BenBjurstrom\Otpz\Models\Concerns\HasOtps; // Import the trait
use BenBjurstrom\Otpz\Models\Concerns\Otpable; // Import the interface

class User extends Authenticatable implements Otpable // Implement the interface
{
    use HasFactory, Notifiable, HasOtps; // Use the trait

    /**
     * The attributes that are mass assignable.
     *
     * @var array<int, string>
     */
    protected $fillable = [
        'name',
        'email',
        'password', // Keep password if you still use traditional login methods
    ];

    /**
     * The attributes that should be hidden for serialization.
     *
     * @var array<int, string>
     */
    protected $hidden = [
        'password',
        'remember_token',
    ];

    /**
     * The attributes that should be cast.
     *
     * @var array<string, string>
     */
    protected $casts = [
        'email_verified_at' => 'datetime',
        'password' => 'hashed',
    ];
}

Key Changes:

• implements Otpable: Your User model now implements the Otpable interface, signaling that it can use OTPZ.
• use HasOtps: The HasOtps trait is used to include OTPZ's functionality within your User model.
• Keep password field (Optional): If you intend to use both OTP and traditional password logins, retain the password field and related configurations. If you are going fully passwordless, you can remove password-related fields and configurations.

4. Add OTPZ Routes:

Include OTPZ's pre-defined routes in your routes/web.php file to handle OTP login flows:

PHP

<?php

use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Route;

/*
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Web Routes
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
| ... your other routes ...
*/

Route::otpRoutes(); // Add OTPZ routes

5. (Optional) Customize Views and Configuration:

For further customization, you can publish the default views and configuration files:

Bash

php artisan vendor:publish --tag="otpz-views"
php artisan vendor:publish --tag="otpz-config"

This allows you to modify the email templates, configuration settings, and views to perfectly match your application's design and requirements.

Laravel Breeze Integration

OTPZ seamlessly integrates with Laravel Breeze, whether you're using¹ Livewire or Inertia. The² package documentation provides clear instructions on how to adapt your LoginRequest::authenticate method to incorporate the OTP sending logic. This typically involves adding a sendEmail method call within your authentication process to trigger the OTP workflow. Refer to the official OTPZ documentation for precise code examples tailored to your Breeze setup.

Use Cases for OTPZ

OTPZ is a fantastic solution for scenarios where you need:

• Simplified User Onboarding: Reduce friction for new users by offering a passwordless signup and login process.
• Temporary Access: Grant time-limited access to systems or features using OTPs, ideal for trials or guest access.
• Enhanced Security for Specific Actions: Implement OTP verification for sensitive actions within your application, adding an extra layer of security.
• Passwordless Authentication: Embrace a completely password-free³ authentication strategy for a modern and secure approach.

Dive Deeper

Ready to explore OTPZ further? You can find comprehensive documentation, source code, and contribution guidelines on the official GitHub repository.

Conclusion

OTPZ offers a streamlined and secure way to implement passwordless authentication in your Laravel applications. Its ease of setup, robust features, and flexibility make it an excellent choice for developers looking to enhance security and user experience. Say goodbye to password complexities and embrace the simplicity of OTPZ!