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Concepts

What is the OpenID Connect (OIDC) Onboarding Process?

Andrios Robert

• 1 min read

The server waits. A user approaches. Between them stands trust. OpenID Connect (OIDC) is the handshake that makes it possible. Getting the onboarding process right is the difference between smooth authentication and a nightmare of broken redirects.

What is the OpenID Connect (OIDC) Onboarding Process?

OIDC is an identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0. It lets applications verify user identities and obtain basic profile information securely. Onboarding is the configuration phase where your system learns how to talk to an identity provider (IdP). Done right, it means single sign-on works immediately for new users. Done wrong, it means no one can log in.

Core Steps in OIDC Onboarding

  1. Register Your Application with the IdP
    Create a new client in the IdP dashboard. This provides you with a client_id and client_secret. These credentials identify your app when communicating with the provider.
  2. Configure Redirect URIs
    OIDC requires exact match redirects. Every URI where the IdP can send the authorization code must be listed. Mismatches cause login failures.
  3. Set Scopes
    Scopes define what user data you want. Common scopes include openid, profile, and email. Your app asks for these during authentication. The IdP decides what’s granted.
  4. Discover Provider Endpoints
    OIDC supports automatic discovery with a well-known URL, typically https://<domain>/.well-known/openid-configuration. This returns JSON describing authorization, token, and user info endpoints.
  5. Implement Authorization Code Flow
    Redirect the user to the authorization endpoint with your client_id and scopes. Receive an authorization code. Exchange it for ID and access tokens using the token endpoint.
  6. Validate ID Token
    Verify the token’s signature against the IdP public keys. Check the audience (aud), issuer (iss), and expiration (exp) claims.
  7. Map User Data to Your System
    Extract user info from the ID token or userinfo endpoint. Store identifiers in your own database. This allows repeat logins without re-provisioning.

Security Considerations

  • Always use HTTPS across all endpoints.
  • Rotate client_secret periodically.
  • Protect tokens in transit and at rest.
  • Use nonce values to prevent replay attacks.

Why Precise Onboarding Matters

An OIDC onboarding process that is fast, secure, and correct ensures new integrations work without wasted cycles. It shortens deployment time, reduces risk, and increases user satisfaction. The handshake works every time, regardless of scale.

Ready to see an OIDC onboarding process tested, secure, and running in minutes? Try it live at hoop.dev and connect your app to an IdP without the pain.