How do I use the authorize method in controllers to authorize actions?
Jun 22, 2025 am 01:02 AM
The authorize method checks if the current user has permission to perform a specific action on a resource, and raises an exception if not. To use it effectively, first load the resource, then call authorize with that resource, and handle unauthorized access by rescuing from the exception globally in ApplicationController. Authorization logic should reside in policy classes (with Pundit) or ability files (with CanCanCan), not in controllers. Common mistakes include not loading the resource beforehand, failing to rescue from the error, or omitting the corresponding policy. Ensure policies are correctly named, test edge cases, and never skip authorization even for UI-hidden actions.
When working with controllers in frameworks like Ruby on Rails, especially when using authorization libraries such as Pundit or CanCanCan, the authorize method is a key part of ensuring users can only perform actions they have permission for. Here's how to use it effectively.
What does the authorize method do?
The authorize method checks whether the current user has permission to perform a specific action on a resource. If the user isn't authorized, an exception is typically raised (like Pundit::NotAuthorizedError), which you can catch and handle—usually by redirecting or showing an error message.
For example, if you're building a blog app and want to make sure only admins can delete posts, calling authorize @post inside the destroy action will stop non-admins from doing that.
How to use authorize in your controller
Using authorize usually involves three parts:
- Loading the resource
- Calling
authorizewith that resource - Handling unauthorized access
Here’s a typical setup in a Rails app using Pundit:
def destroy @post = Post.find(params[:id]) authorize @post @post.destroy redirect_to posts_path end
If the current user isn’t allowed to destroy the post, Pundit raises an error. You’ll want to rescue from that in your ApplicationController:
rescue_from Pundit::NotAuthorizedError, with: :user_not_authorized private def user_not_authorized flash[:alert] = "You are not authorized to perform this action." redirect_back(fallback_location: root_path) end
This keeps your code clean and user experience smooth.
Where should authorization logic live?
Authorization logic shouldn’t be in the controller—it belongs in either a policy class (with Pundit) or a ability file (with CanCanCan).
With Pundit:
- Create a file like
post_policy.rb - Define methods like
destroy?that return true or false based on user permissions
Example:
class PostPolicy < ApplicationPolicy
def destroy?
user.admin? || record.user == user
end
endThen in your controller, just call authorize @post, and Pundit automatically uses the right policy.
Common issues and tips
-
Make sure the policy file exists and matches the model name, otherwise
authorizewon’t know what rules to apply. - If you’re using strong parameters (
permit), don’t confuse that with authorization—it’s about data safety, not access control. - Test edge cases: what happens if someone tries to edit another user’s content?
- Don’t skip
authorizein any sensitive action, even if you think the UI hides it. Users can still try to access URLs directly.
Some common mistakes include:
- Forgetting to load the resource before calling
authorize - Not rescuing from the authorization error globally
- Using
authorizewithout defining the corresponding policy/ability
That’s basically how you use the authorize method in controllers. It’s straightforward once everything is wired up, but easy to overlook a small piece—especially when policies aren’t named correctly or roles aren’t set properly.
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