Invite-Only Registration Flow Overview

The Invite-Only Registration Flow module is designed to restrict new user sign-ups by requiring validated invitation links, offering a controlled and secure registration process. This solution is ideal for scenarios where access needs to be tightly managed.

Purpose

The primary goal of this module is to allow only invited users to create accounts, thereby controlling user growth and enhancing security. By limiting sign-ups to pre-approved invitations, the system reduces the risk of unauthorized access and spam accounts.

Benefits

• Enhanced Security: Ensures that only authorized individuals can register, mitigating risks associated with open registration.
• Controlled User Growth: Allows organizations to manage the influx of new users effectively, particularly useful during beta testing or exclusive launches.
• Streamlined Process: Simplifies sign-up for invited users by automatically validating their invitation, reducing friction in account creation.

Usage Scenarios

This module is applicable in various contexts:

• Beta Testing: Restricting access to software beta versions to a select group of users.
• Exclusive Communities: Enabling access only through invitations, such as for premium services or member-only platforms.
• Internal Tools: Controlling access to internal applications within an organization.
• Event Registration: Allowing only invited guests to register for events with limited capacity.

Key Features

• Integration with existing authentication systems.
• Management of invitation lifecycle (generation, usage tracking, expiration).
• Optional additional verifications (e.g., email or phone number).

Conclusion

The Invite-Only Registration Flow is a robust solution for developers seeking to control user access effectively. By leveraging invitation links, it ensures secure and controlled registration, making it ideal for various use cases where access management is critical.

Invite-Only Registration Flow Documentation

Invitation Required

This feature mandates that new users must possess a valid invitation link before they can create an account. It enhances security by restricting unauthorized sign-ups, ensuring only approved individuals gain access.

Unique Invite Links

Each invitation is assigned a unique URL, allowing precise tracking of the invited user and preventing unauthorized sharing or misuse of invites.

Expiry Dates for Invites

Invitations expire after a set period, helping to manage user acquisition effectively and promptly. This feature ensures that stale links do not linger indefinitely.

Redemption Tracking

The system logs each invite usage, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions by limiting each invitation to a single use, thus preventing multiple registrations from one link.

Integration with Registration System

Seamlessly integrated into the existing registration process, this module requires minimal setup. It works alongside other authentication mechanisms without disrupting current workflows.

API for Generating Invites

Developers can programmatically generate invite links via an API, enabling automation and integration with external systems or specific business processes.

Audit Logging

Detailed logs of all invite activities provide transparency and facilitate debugging. They are essential for security audits and monitoring user registration patterns.

Invite-Only Registration Flow Documentation

This module implements a restricted registration system where new users can only sign up using unique invitation links. The flow is designed to be used with either FastAPI (Python) or Node.js (JavaScript), and integrates seamlessly with a React frontend for user authentication.

1. FastAPI Endpoint

The following is an example of a FastAPI endpoint that handles invite-only registration:

from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
from fastapi.security import OAuth2PasswordBearer
from typing import Annotated
from pydantic import BaseModel

router = APIRouter()
oauth2_scheme = OAuth2PasswordBearer(tokenUrl="token")

class CreateUser(BaseModel):
    email: str
    password: str
    invite_token: str

@router.post("/register")
async def register(
    user: CreateUser,
    token: Annotated[str, Depends(oauth2_scheme)]
):
    """
    Register a new user with an invitation token.
    """
    # Validate the invitation token here
    if not validate_invite_token(user.invite_token):
        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Invalid or expired invitation link")
    
    # Add additional validation for email and password
    if not is_valid_email(user.email):
        raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="Invalid email address")
    
    # Create user in database
    create_user_in_db(user)
    
    return {"message": "User created successfully"}

2. React UI Snippet

Here’s a React component for handling the registration form with invitation link validation:

import { useState } from 'react';

const RegistrationForm = () => {
    const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
    const [password, setPassword] = useState('');
    const [inviteToken, setInviteToken] = useState('');

    const handleSubmit = async (e) => {
        e.preventDefault();
        try {
            await fetch('/api/register', {
                method: 'POST',
                headers: {
                    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
                },
                body: JSON.stringify({
                    email,
                    password,
                    invite_token: inviteToken
                })
            });
            // Handle success
        } catch (error) {
            console.error('Registration failed:', error);
        }
    };

    return (
        <div className="auth-container">
            <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
                <input
                    type="email"
                    placeholder="Email"
                    value={email}
                    onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)}
                    required
                />
                <input
                    type="password"
                    placeholder="Password"
                    value={password}
                    onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
                    required
                />
                <input
                    type="text"
                    placeholder="Enter Invitation Link Token"
                    value={inviteToken}
                    onChange={(e) => setInviteToken(e.target.value)}
                    required
                />
                <button type="submit">Register</button>
            </form>
        </div>
    );
};

export default RegistrationForm;

3. Pydantic Data Schema

Here’s the Pydantic schema for the registration request:

from pydantic import BaseModel

class CreateUser(BaseModel):
    email: str
    password: str
    invite_token: str

Notes:

• The FastAPI endpoint uses OAuth2 authentication for token validation.
• The React component sends a POST request to /api/register with the user credentials and invitation token.
• The Pydantic schema ensures type safety and data validation on the server side.

For security, ensure that:

1. Invitation tokens are securely generated and signed.
2. Tokens have an expiration date to prevent abuse.
3. Never hardcode sensitive information (e.g., API keys) in production code.

Invite-Only Registration Flow Documentation

Summary

The Invite-Only Registration Flow module restricts new sign-ups to users with valid, approved invitation links. This ensures that only authorized individuals can create accounts, enhancing security and control over user access.

Related Modules

1. User Management Module: Handles user creation, authentication, and profile management.
2. Email Service Module: Manages sending invitation links and notifications.
3. Invitation Generation Module: Creates and validates unique invitation tokens.
4. Session Handling Module: Ensures secure session management after successful registration.
5. Security Utilities Module: Provides tools for token generation, validation, and security checks.

Use Cases

1. User Registers Using an Invitation Link

• A user clicks on an invite-only registration link received via email or another communication channel.
• The system validates the invitation token embedded in the URL.
• If valid, the user is redirected to a registration page where they can create an account.

2. Attempting Registration Without an Invitation

• A user tries to sign up without using an invitation link.
• The system blocks access and displays an error message indicating that invitations are required for new registrations.

3. Admin Generates Invitations

• An administrator uses the Invite Generation Module to create a unique invitation token.
• The Email Service Module sends the invite link to specified recipients, who can then register using the provided URL.

Integration Tips

1. Secure Token Handling:

   • Ensure that invitation tokens are securely generated and validated using cryptographic methods.
   • Store tokens temporarily (e.g., in a database) with an expiration time to prevent misuse.

2. Session Management:

   • After successful registration, ensure that the user is automatically logged in or redirected to a secure session-based interface.

3. Email Integration:

   • Use the Email Service Module to send invitation links. Include clear instructions for recipients on how to use the link.
   • Consider adding branding (e.g., logos) and tracking mechanisms (e.g., click-through analytics) if required.

4. Error Handling:

   • Implement proper error handling for invalid or expired tokens, displaying user-friendly messages.

5. Security Monitoring:

   • Log all registration attempts, including failed ones, for security monitoring.
   • Set up alerts for unusual activity (e.g., multiple failed attempts from the same IP address).

Configuration Options

Conclusion

The Invite-Only Registration Flow module provides a secure and controlled way to manage user access, ensuring that only authorized individuals can create accounts. By integrating with related modules like User Management and Email Service, developers can implement this flow effectively while maintaining security best practices.