keycloak client public registration user

Guri Bee

2 min read

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21-10-2024

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Enabling Self-Service Registration for Keycloak Clients: A Guide to User Empowerment

Keycloak, a popular open-source identity and access management solution, offers robust features for managing users and applications. One powerful aspect is the ability to enable self-service registration, allowing users to create accounts without administrator intervention. This empowers users and streamlines onboarding processes, especially in scenarios where user accounts need to be readily available.

This article will guide you through the process of configuring Keycloak to allow public registration for your clients, drawing inspiration from the wealth of knowledge shared on GitHub.

Understanding the Basics:

• Client: In Keycloak, a client represents an application that interacts with the Keycloak server for authentication and authorization.
• Public Registration: When enabled, clients can have a dedicated registration page where users can create their own accounts without administrator approval.

Keycloak Configuration:

1. Create a Client:

   • Navigate to the "Clients" section within your Keycloak administration console.
   • Click "Create" and configure your client with a descriptive name and appropriate settings.
   • Example: (Inspired by this GitHub issue)
     • Client ID: my-public-registration-app
     • Client Type: public (This allows users to register directly)

2. Enable Public Registration:

   • Within your client's configuration, navigate to the "Registration" tab.
   • Check the box labelled "Enable Registration".
   • Note: (Referencing this Keycloak documentation) You can further customize the registration form by configuring required fields (e.g., email, username), setting password complexity rules, and defining email templates for verification.

3. Define Client Roles:

   • Once a user is registered, you might need to define roles specific to your application.
   • Navigate to the "Roles" tab within your client configuration.
   • Create roles with appropriate names and permissions. For example, user or administrator.
   • Example: (Inspired by this GitHub issue)
     • Role: user
     • Description: Standard user role with basic permissions.

4. Assign Roles to Users (Optional):

   • You can assign roles to users during the registration process or after.
   • Within your client's configuration, navigate to the "Users" tab.
   • Select the user you want to modify.
   • Assign the appropriate roles from the available list.

Testing Your Setup:

• Access your client's registration page using the URL provided in the Keycloak client's settings.
• Create a new user account following the instructions on the registration form.
• Log in to your client application using the newly created user account.

Additional Considerations:

• Security: Always implement robust password complexity and security policies to safeguard your users' data.
• Email Verification: Enable email verification to ensure the authenticity of registered users.
• Data Privacy: Comply with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) when collecting and handling user information.

Conclusion:

Keycloak's public registration feature allows for a more user-friendly experience by eliminating the need for administrator intervention. By configuring your clients correctly and following best practices for security and privacy, you can empower users to create their own accounts effortlessly, enhancing the user experience and streamlining onboarding processes.