---

name: Knack Auth description: Handles API key and user token authentication for secure Knack API access. Manages session creation, refresh, and credential validation. allowed-tools: Read

Knack Auth

Purpose

Handles API key and user token authentication for secure Knack API access. Manages session creation, refresh, and credential validation.

Authentication Methods

1. API Key Authentication (Server-Side)

Use: Backend operations, automated reporting, data sync

Headers:

Copy{
  "X-Knack-Application-Id": process.env.KNACK_APP_ID,
  "X-Knack-REST-API-Key": process.env.KNACK_API_KEY
}

Permissions: Full read/write access to all objects

2. User Token Authentication (User-Specific)

Use: Dashboard views with user-level permissions

Headers:

Copy{
  "X-Knack-Application-Id": process.env.KNACK_APP_ID,
  "Authorization": user_token
}

Core Functions

login_user

Endpoint: POST /v1/applications/{app_id}/session

Payload:

Copy{
  "email": "user@example.com",
  "password": "secure_password"
}

Response:

Copy{
  "session": {
    "user": {
      "id": "user_123",
      "token": "abc123xyz..."
    }
  }
}

Example:

Copyconst session = await login_user({
  email: "admin@hubzonetech.org",
  password: process.env.ADMIN_PASSWORD
});

const user_token = session.session.user.token;

refresh_token

Purpose: Renew expired user sessions automatically

Logic:

• User tokens expire after 24 hours
• Monitor token age
• Auto-refresh before expiration
• Store refreshed token securely

Example:

Copyif (isTokenExpired(current_token)) {
  const new_token = await refresh_token(current_token);
  updateStoredToken(new_token);
}

validate_credentials

Purpose: Verify API key and app ID before operations

Check:

Copyconst isValid = await validate_credentials({
  app_id: process.env.KNACK_APP_ID,
  api_key: process.env.KNACK_API_KEY
});

Environment Variables

Required in .env:

CopyKNACK_APP_ID=your_app_id
KNACK_API_KEY=your_api_key
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@hubzonetech.org
ADMIN_PASSWORD=secure_password

Security Best Practices

1. Never commit credentials to version control
2. Use environment variables for all secrets
3. Rotate API keys quarterly (align with QAR schedule)
4. Limit user token lifespan to 24 hours
5. Log authentication failures for audit trail

HTI-Specific Roles

Admin Users

• Full CRUD access
• Grant reporting permissions
• Donor management

Volunteer Users

• Read-only access to training materials
• Event check-in capabilities

Public Dashboard

• API key auth only
• No user-specific data

Error Handling

Copytry {
  const token = await login_user(credentials);
} catch (error) {
  if (error.status === 401) {
    console.error("Invalid credentials");
  } else if (error.status === 429) {
    console.error("Rate limit exceeded - retry after delay");
  }
}

Integration Points

• knack_reader: Provides auth headers
• knack_realtime: Maintains user sessions for webhooks
• knack_reporting_sync: Admin-level access for report generation
• knack_devops: Manages credential rotation in CI/CD

Grant Compliance

• Audit logs required for NCDIT reporting
• Track all admin access to donation/device data
• Maintain separation between operational and financial data access