> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vlyai-1c28d863.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Clerk

> Drop-in auth UI components, social providers, and a polished management dashboard. The premium auth alternative.

[Clerk](https://clerk.com) provides hosted auth UI components, every major social provider, and a polished admin dashboard. Use as an alternative to vly's [built-in auth](/features/auth/built-in-auth) when you want pre-built UI.

<Note>
  Full setup walkthrough being written.
</Note>

## When to pick over built-in auth

* You want pre-built sign-in / sign-up / user-profile components.
* You need fine-grained orgs / roles / permissions out of the box.
* Your team already uses Clerk elsewhere.

## Setup

`CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY` (client-visible) and `CLERK_SECRET_KEY` (server) in vly secrets. Configure Convex auth provider to point at Clerk's JWT issuer.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Built-in auth" icon="lock" href="/features/auth/built-in-auth">
    The default.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auth0" icon="key" href="/integrations/auth0">
    Enterprise alternative.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auth flows" icon="key-round" href="/architecture/auth-flows">
    Patterns.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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