Say it like this
- We need to validate the JWT on the backend
- The JWT expires after one hour
- Store the JWT securely in localStorage
Use it at work
Auth
- We send the JWT in the Authorization header.
- The JWT expires after 15 minutes.
Debugging
- The JWT signature is invalid.
- Decode the JWT to check the claims.
Security
- Don't put sensitive data in the JWT. Anyone can read it.
- Store the JWT in an HttpOnly cookie.
Don't say this
JWT is a token format, not a verb. You implement JWT, verify JWT, or decode JWT, but you do not JWT something.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. How would you naturally say this in a tech meeting?
2. When the user logs in, the server generates a _______ and sends it to the client for authentication.
3. Which sentence uses JWT incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this using 'JWT': 'The system uses a method where the server sends a special code to the user, and the user sends that code back to prove who they are.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We need to validate the JWT on the backend"
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More about JWT
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"Yesterday we fixed an issue where the JWT was not being refreshed correctly, so users got logged out unexpectedly."
- in a code review
"Make sure you're verifying the JWT signature before trusting any claims in the token."
- in a team meeting
"We decided to implement JWT-based authentication instead of traditional server-side sessions to scale better."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. JWT is a technical standard, not a verb or action. Do not use it as 'JWTing' or as a general security measure. It is specifically for stateless authentication tokens.
- ✕Store the JWT in a public cookie without encryption.✓Store the JWT in a secure, httpOnly cookie.
JWTs should be stored securely to prevent unauthorized access. Security measures matter when handling tokens.
- ✕The JWT handles all security needs.✓JWT is one part of a complete authentication and authorization strategy.
JWT is a token mechanism, not a complete security solution. Additional measures like HTTPS and input validation are necessary.
Other forms(2)
- JWT abbreviation
"The JWT contains user information encoded in three parts."
- JSON Web Token noun
"A JSON Web Token is a stateless way to authenticate users."
Often used with(5)
- generate a JWT · to create and issue a new token to a user
- verify the JWT · to check the signature and validate the token authenticity
- decode the JWT · to read and extract the information inside the token
- JWT expiration · the time limit after which the token is no longer valid
- JWT payload · the part of the token containing the user claims and data
Similar words(2)
- token · Broader term; JWT is a specific type of token used for authentication.
- bearer token · A general term for tokens used in HTTP Authorization headers; JWT is one form of bearer token.
Opposites(2)
- session-based authentication
- server-side sessions
Questions(5)
- What does JWT stand for?
- JWT stands for JSON Web Token. It is an open standard (RFC 7519) for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object.
- How is JWT used in real applications?
- When a user logs in, the server creates a JWT containing user information and sends it to the client. The client then includes this token in subsequent API requests (usually in the Authorization header). The server verifies the token signature to confirm the user identity without needing to store session data.
- What are the three parts of a JWT?
- A JWT consists of three parts separated by dots: the header (contains the token type and signing algorithm), the payload (contains the claims and user information), and the signature (ensures the token has not been altered).
- Why is JWT better than sessions?
- JWTs are stateless, meaning the server does not need to store session data. This makes them ideal for distributed systems, microservices, and scalable applications. However, both approaches have trade-offs depending on your use case.
- Is JWT secure?
- JWT itself is secure if implemented correctly. The signature prevents tampering, but you must transmit it over HTTPS, set appropriate expiration times, and store it securely (e.g., in httpOnly cookies). Security depends on the entire implementation, not just JWT alone.
