B2C SLAS Authentication Patterns
Advanced authentication patterns for SLAS (Shopper Login and API Access Service) beyond basic login. These patterns enable passwordless authentication, hybrid storefront support, and system-to-system integration.
Authentication Methods Overview
| Method | Use Case | User Experience | |--------|----------|-----------------| | Password | Traditional login | Username + password form | | Email OTP | Passwordless email | Code sent to email | | SMS OTP | Passwordless SMS | Code sent to phone | | Passkeys | FIDO2/WebAuthn | Biometric or device PIN | | Session Bridge | Hybrid storefronts | Seamless PWA ↔ SFRA | | Hybrid Auth | B2C 25.3+ | Built-in platform auth sync | | TSOB | System integration | Backend service calls |
Passwordless Email OTP
Send one-time passwords via email for passwordless login.
Flow Overview
- Call
/oauth2/passwordless/loginwith callback URI - SLAS POSTs
pwdless_login_tokento your callback - Your app sends OTP to shopper via email
- Shopper enters OTP, app exchanges for tokens
Step 1: Initiate Passwordless Login
// POST /shopper/auth/v1/organizations/{org}/oauth2/passwordless/login
async function initiatePasswordlessLogin(email, siteId) {
const response = await fetch(
`https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}/oauth2/passwordless/login`,
{
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded'
},
body: new URLSearchParams({
user_id: email,
mode: 'callback',
channel_id: siteId,
callback_uri: 'https://yoursite.com/api/passwordless/callback'
})
}
);
// SLAS will POST to your callback_uri with pwdless_login_token
return response.json();
}
Step 2: Handle Callback and Send OTP
Your callback endpoint receives pwdless_login_token. Generate an OTP and send it to the user:
// Your callback endpoint (receives POST from SLAS)
app.post('/api/passwordless/callback', async (req, res) => {
const { pwdless_login_token, user_id } = req.body;
// Generate 6-digit OTP
const otp = Math.floor(100000 + Math.random() * 900000).toString();
// Store token + OTP mapping (e.g., Redis with 10 min TTL)
await redis.setex(`pwdless:${otp}`, 600, JSON.stringify({
token: pwdless_login_token,
email: user_id
}));
// Send OTP via email (configure in SLAS Admin UI)
await sendOTPEmail(user_id, otp);
res.status(200).send('OK');
});
Step 3: Exchange OTP for Tokens
// POST /shopper/auth/v1/organizations/{org}/oauth2/passwordless/token
async function exchangeOTPForToken(otp, clientId, clientSecret, siteId) {
// Retrieve stored token
const stored = JSON.parse(await redis.get(`pwdless:${otp}`));
if (!stored) throw new Error('Invalid or expired OTP');
const response = await fetch(
`https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}/oauth2/passwordless/token`,
{
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
'Authorization': `Basic ${btoa(clientId + ':' + clientSecret)}`
},
body: new URLSearchParams({
grant_type: 'client_credentials',
hint: 'pwdless_login',
pwdless_login_token: stored.token,
channel_id: siteId
})
}
);
// Returns: { access_token, refresh_token, ... }
return response.json();
}
Rate Limits
- 6 requests per user per 10 minutes
- 1,000 requests/month per endpoint on non-production tenants
Passwordless SMS OTP
Send OTP via SMS using Marketing Cloud or custom integration.
Using Marketing Cloud
Configure SMS through Salesforce Marketing Cloud:
- Set up Marketing Cloud connector
- Configure SMS journey with OTP template
- Trigger via SLAS callback (same flow as email OTP)
Custom SMS Provider
Use the same callback flow as email, but send via SMS provider:
// In your callback handler
const twilio = require('twilio')(accountSid, authToken);
async function sendOTPSMS(phoneNumber, otp) {
await twilio.messages.create({
body: `Your login code is: ${otp}`,
from: '+1234567890',
to: phoneNumber
});
}
Passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn)
Enable biometric authentication using FIDO2/WebAuthn passkeys. Registration requires prior identity verification via OTP. The flow involves starting registration with SLAS, creating a credential via the browser WebAuthn API, then completing registration. Authentication follows a similar start/authenticate/finish pattern.
See references/PASSKEYS.md for full registration and authentication code examples.
Session Bridge
Maintain session continuity between PWA Kit and SFRA storefronts using signed bridge tokens (dwsgst for guest, dwsrst for registered). Supports both PWA-to-SFRA and SFRA-to-PWA directions. Note that DWSID is deprecated for registered shoppers.
See references/SESSION-BRIDGE.md for full implementation details including token generation, redirect patterns, callback handlers, and error handling.
Hybrid Authentication (B2C 25.3+)
Hybrid Auth replaces Plugin SLAS for hybrid PWA/SFRA storefronts. It's built directly into the B2C platform and provides automatic session synchronization.
Benefits
- No manual session bridge implementation needed
- Automatic sync between PWA and SFRA
- Simplified token management
- Built-in platform support
Migration from Plugin SLAS
If using Plugin SLAS, migrate to Hybrid Auth:
- Upgrade to B2C Commerce 25.3+
- Enable Hybrid Auth in Business Manager
- Remove Plugin SLAS cartridge
- Update storefront to use platform auth
Token Refresh
Important: The channel_id parameter is required for guest token refresh.
Public Clients (Single-Use Refresh)
Public clients (no secret) receive single-use refresh tokens:
async function refreshTokenPublic(refreshToken, clientId, siteId) {
const response = await fetch(
`https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}/oauth2/token`,
{
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded' },
body: new URLSearchParams({
grant_type: 'refresh_token',
refresh_token: refreshToken,
client_id: clientId,
channel_id: siteId // REQUIRED
})
}
);
// Returns NEW refresh_token (old one is invalidated)
return response.json();
}
Private Clients (Reusable Refresh)
Private clients can reuse refresh tokens:
async function refreshTokenPrivate(refreshToken, clientId, clientSecret, siteId) {
const response = await fetch(
`https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}/oauth2/token`,
{
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
'Authorization': `Basic ${btoa(clientId + ':' + clientSecret)}`
},
body: new URLSearchParams({
grant_type: 'refresh_token',
refresh_token: refreshToken,
channel_id: siteId // REQUIRED
})
}
);
// Same refresh_token can be used again
return response.json();
}
Trusted System on Behalf (TSOB)
Server-to-server authentication to act on behalf of a shopper.
Use Cases
- Backend services accessing shopper data
- Order management systems
- Customer service applications
Get Token on Behalf of Shopper
async function getTSOBToken(shopperLoginId) {
const response = await fetch(
`https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}/oauth2/trusted-system/token`,
{
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
'Authorization': `Basic ${btoa(clientId + ':' + clientSecret)}`
},
body: new URLSearchParams({
grant_type: 'client_credentials',
login_id: shopperLoginId,
channel_id: siteId,
usid: shopperUsid // Optional: reuse existing session
})
}
);
// Returns tokens that act as the specified shopper
return response.json();
}
Important Constraints
3-Second Protection Window: Multiple TSOB calls for the same shopper within 3 seconds return HTTP 409:
"Tenant id <id> has already performed a login operation for user id <user_id> in the last 3 seconds."
Handle this in your code:
async function getTSOBTokenWithRetry(shopperLoginId, maxRetries = 3) {
for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
try {
return await getTSOBToken(shopperLoginId);
} catch (error) {
if (error.status === 409 && i < maxRetries - 1) {
await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 3000));
continue;
}
throw error;
}
}
}
Required Configuration
- SLAS client must have TSOB enabled (
sfcc.ts_ext_on_behalf_ofscope) - Configure in SLAS Admin API or Business Manager
- Secure the client secret (server-side only)
- Keep
login_idlength under 60 characters
JWT Validation
Validate SLAS tokens using JWKS (JSON Web Key Set).
Get JWKS
async function getJWKS() {
const response = await fetch(
`https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}/oauth2/jwks`
);
return response.json();
}
Validate Token
const jose = require('jose');
async function validateToken(accessToken) {
// Get JWKS
const jwksUrl = `https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}/oauth2/jwks`;
const JWKS = jose.createRemoteJWKSet(new URL(jwksUrl));
// Verify token
const { payload } = await jose.jwtVerify(accessToken, JWKS, {
issuer: `https://${shortCode}.api.commercecloud.salesforce.com/shopper/auth/v1/organizations/${orgId}`,
audience: clientId
});
return payload;
}
Token Claims
| Claim | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| sub | Subject (customer ID or guest ID) |
| isb | Identity subject binding |
| iss | Issuer |
| aud | Audience (client ID) |
| exp | Expiration time |
| iat | Issued at time |
| scope | Granted scopes |
| tsob | TSOB token type (for trusted system tokens) |
Best Practices
Security
- Never expose client secrets in frontend code
- Use HTTPS for all token exchanges
- Validate tokens server-side for sensitive operations
- Implement proper CORS policies
- Store tokens securely (httpOnly cookies preferred)
Token Management
- Implement proactive token refresh before expiry
- Handle refresh token rotation for public clients
- Clear tokens on logout from all storage locations
- Use short-lived access tokens where possible
- Always include
channel_idin refresh requests
User Experience
- Provide fallback authentication methods
- Show clear error messages for auth failures
- Remember user's preferred auth method
- Handle session expiry gracefully
Detailed References
- Passkeys (FIDO2/WebAuthn) - Registration and authentication code examples
- Session Bridge Flows - Detailed session bridge implementation
- Token Lifecycle - Token expiry and refresh patterns