Best use case
iron-session is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
## Overview
Teams using iron-session should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/iron-session/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How iron-session Compares
| Feature / Agent | iron-session | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
## Overview
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# iron-session
## Overview
iron-session stores session data in encrypted, signed cookies. No database needed. AES-256 encryption + HMAC-SHA256 signing. Works with Next.js App Router and Express.
## Instructions
### Step 1: Configuration
```typescript
import { getIronSession } from 'iron-session'
import { cookies } from 'next/headers'
interface SessionData { userId?: string; role?: string; isLoggedIn: boolean }
const options = {
password: process.env.SESSION_SECRET!,
cookieName: 'myapp_session',
cookieOptions: { secure: process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production', httpOnly: true, sameSite: 'lax' as const, maxAge: 604800 },
}
export async function getSession() {
return getIronSession<SessionData>(await cookies(), options)
}
```
### Step 2: Login/Logout
```typescript
// POST /api/auth/login
const session = await getSession()
session.userId = user.id
session.role = user.role
session.isLoggedIn = true
await session.save()
// POST /api/auth/logout
const session = await getSession()
session.destroy()
```
### Step 3: Protected Pages
```typescript
export default async function DashboardPage() {
const session = await getSession()
if (!session.isLoggedIn) redirect('/login')
return <Dashboard userId={session.userId!} />
}
```
## Guidelines
- SESSION_SECRET: min 32 chars. Generate with `openssl rand -hex 32`.
- Cookie limit is 4KB — store IDs only, not large objects.
- Stateless = no revocation by default. Add version check for revocation.
- Always httpOnly + secure in production.Related Skills
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