At Auth0, Developer Experience has always been part of our DNA–yet we know there have been times when the experience didn’t fully reflect that.
As our platform has grown, some aspects of the developer journey have become more complex than they should be, making it harder for developers to move fast, build confidently, and innovate freely.
Today, we’re taking the first step toward changing that. We’re excited to introduce our Developer Experience Principles–clear, actionable values that will guide every decision we make as we design, build, and deliver experiences to our customers.
These principles represent a shift in how we deliver experiences that are simpler, faster, and more delightful for developers. By embedding them into every step of our process, we’re setting a higher standard for what developers can expect from Auth0.
Why Developer Experience Principles?
As our platform evolves, these principles ensure we’re not just adding new capabilities–they will help us improve how developers interact with every aspect of our product. From the way we design our APIs to how we structure documentation and provide user support, these principles will guide every decision we make. They will help us reduce friction, build trust, and consistently deliver experiences that feel seamless, empowering, and genuinely delightful.
Our goal is to ensure that every interaction with our platform reflects our commitment to our principles, whether you're building at a startup or scaling an enterprise solution. By following these principles, we focus on:
- Reducing time to value – Developers should be able to get up and running effortlessly, so they can focus on innovating, not troubleshooting.
- Creating a seamless, intuitive experience – Every interaction should feel smooth and effortless, helping developers move quickly and confidently.
- Ensuring security by design – Best practices should be built-in, making secure development the default without added complexity.
Our Developer Experience Principles
Simple
The product should be easy to use, regardless of the interface.
- Always try to make it as simple as possible
- Keep it straight to the point, progressively bring concepts to light
- Design for all developers, no matter their skill level
- Break down excessively complex concepts into simple blocks
- Iterate for simplicity
Clear
The product should explain all possible behaviors, and no document should be left aside.
- Prioritize clarity in documentation
- Explain with examples
- Provide contextual information
- Guide to what’s next
- Handle errors with care
- Feedback for improving clarity
Composable
The product should adapt to the needs of any developer.
- Build small, composable elements
- Ensure effective orchestration
- Anticipate developers extending
- Keep it changelog-friendly
- Document interactions between systems
Consistent
The patterns, language, and feedback used across the product must be consistent.
- Standardized error handling
- Align on uniform terminology
- Best practices forward
- Consistent patterns enforced
Quick
Any interaction with our product should feel fast.
- Onboard at light speed
- Integrate in under a minute
- Optimize response speed
- Enable rapid deployment
- Troubleshoot before timeout
Magical
Every interaction with the product should leave a lasting impression.
- Seamless interaction and instant feedback
- Personalize where possible
- Enhance aesthetic appeal
- Surprise and delight
- Foster a supportive community
Seeing the Principles in Action
While these principles will guide our future work, you can already see them taking shape in updates we’ve recently shipped, both in how our product looks and how it adapts to developers’ needs.
For example, we refreshed our default email templates, bringing a cleaner, more modern look to default emails, so developers get a polished experience right from the start.
We also launched Advanced Customizations for Universal Login (ACUL)–a major step forward in how developers can tailor the login experience. With ACUL, teams can create fully custom, client-rendered versions of each screen, giving them complete control over layout, branding, and visual design. It’s built for flexibility, so developers can craft experiences that feel truly native to their product.
These are just a few early examples of how our Developer Experience Principles are already shaping what we build, bringing more simplicity, flexibility, and polish to the platform.
What’s Next?
Auth0.Design has a new look–and a new purpose. It’s now the home of our Developer Experience Principles and will serve as a hub for how we continue improving the developer experience.
In the months ahead, customers will start to see developer experience take on a more meaningful role throughout their journey with our platform. Our product will increasingly reflect how we’re applying these principles to improve onboarding, navigation, and the overall build experience.
This marks the beginning of a more thoughtful, consistent, and empowering experience for developers– shaped by ongoing collaboration with our community.
If you’re curious, inspired, or simply want to follow along, check out the site. We’d love to hear what you think!
Let’s build something magical ✨