Essential Security Checklist for Supabase and Vibe-Coded Apps + bonus prompt
If you’re moving your prototype (especially one built quickly with Supabase, Lovable, Bolt, or similar platforms) toward a production-grade app, security must be your top priority. Follow these practical steps and use the hands-on audit prompt below to elevate your app’s defenses. Proven Security Tips 1. Lock Down Your Backend (Supabase/Firebase Policies) Most vibe-coded apps leave their backend wide open. Anyone who can find your endpoint URL might access or modify sensitive data such as user accounts, subscriptions, or payment info. - How: Don’t rely on default settings. In Supabase, navigate to your Auth Policies and set everything to “deny all” by default. Only permit authenticated users to access their own data. - Why: Even if your frontend looks secure, an exposed backend lets anyone directly access your database. - Learn more: Supabase Row-Level Security Docs 2. Never Trust the Frontend Alone No-code and rapid-build tools sometimes generate apps that do important checks (like upgrades or edits) only in the UI. - What to do: Always assume users can inspect, alter, and resend requests. Validate every action on the backend: check logged-in status, roles, and permissions. - Why: Frontend logic can easily be bypassed. Without backend validation, anyone could break or exploit your app. 3. Keep Secrets... Secret! One common mistake is leaking environment variables or keys (accidentally committing them to Git, misconfiguring servers, etc.). - How: Restrict access to env files and secrets, especially if deploying on your own server. - Why: Exposure of these can lead to total compromise of your stack. 4. Leverage Automated Security Audits Ask AI-powered coding tools or assistants to generate an actionable security audit checklist for your exact stack, then implement and verify each suggested fix. 5. Be Wary of Platform Defaults After reviewing many apps, open REST endpoints were most prevalent with Lovable (less so with Bolt, which configures Supabase rules by default). Always double-check the security settings, even if your platform claims to “secure by default.”