> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.backstack.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Authentication
> Sign up, log in, and manage your Backstack account
# Authentication
Backstack provides secure authentication with multiple sign-in options to make accessing your account easy and safe.
## Creating an Account
### Sign Up Methods
You can create a Backstack account using any of these methods:
1. **Email and Password**
* Visit [app.backstack.io](https://app.backstack.io)
* Click **Sign Up**
* Enter your email address
* Create a strong password
* Verify your email address by clicking the link sent to your inbox
2. **Continue with Google**
* Click **Continue with Google**
* Select your Google account
* Authorize Backstack to access your profile
* You'll be automatically signed in
3. **Continue with GitHub**
* Click **Continue with GitHub**
* Authorize Backstack to access your GitHub profile
* You'll be automatically signed in
Social login (Google, GitHub) is faster and more secure since you don't need to manage a separate password for Backstack.
### Email Verification
If you sign up with email and password:
1. Check your inbox for a verification email from Backstack
2. Click the verification link
3. You'll be redirected to Backstack and signed in automatically
The verification link expires after 24 hours. If it expires, you can request a new one from the sign-in page.
## Signing In
### Login Methods
Use the same method you used to create your account:
1. Visit [app.backstack.io](https://app.backstack.io)
2. Click **Sign In**
3. Choose your authentication method:
* **Email and Password** - Enter your credentials
* **Continue with Google** - Select your Google account
* **Continue with GitHub** - Authorize access
You'll be redirected to your Backstack dashboard after successful authentication.
### Switching Authentication Methods
If you created your account with email/password but want to use social login:
1. Sign in with your email and password
2. Go to your account settings
3. Connect your Google or GitHub account
4. Future sign-ins can use either method
Each email address can only be associated with one Backstack account. If you try to sign up with Google using an email that already has an email/password account, you'll be prompted to sign in instead.
## Password Management
### Creating a Strong Password
When using email/password authentication, follow these guidelines:
* Minimum 8 characters
* Include uppercase and lowercase letters
* Include at least one number
* Include at least one special character
* Avoid common words or personal information
### Resetting Your Password
If you forget your password:
1. Go to the sign-in page at [app.backstack.io](https://app.backstack.io)
2. Click **Forgot Password?**
3. Enter your email address
4. Check your inbox for a password reset email
5. Click the reset link (valid for 1 hour)
6. Enter and confirm your new password
7. Sign in with your new password
Password reset emails may take a few minutes to arrive. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.
### Changing Your Password
To change your password while signed in:
1. Navigate to **Settings** → **Account**
2. Click **Change Password**
3. Enter your current password
4. Enter and confirm your new password
5. Click **Update Password**
## Multi-Organization Access
### Switching Between Organizations
If you're a member of multiple organizations:
1. Click your profile avatar in the top-right corner
2. Look for the organization icon (building) showing your current organization
3. Click to view all your organizations
4. Select the organization you want to switch to
Your dashboard, workspaces, and available tools will update to reflect the selected organization.
Each organization has its own members, workspaces, and tools. Your role and permissions may differ across organizations.
### Managing Organization Membership
You can be a member of unlimited organizations:
* **Create a new organization** - Start your own from scratch
* **Join via invitation** - Accept an invitation from an organization admin
* **Leave an organization** - Contact the organization owner to remove you
## Session Management
### Stay Signed In
Backstack keeps you signed in across browser sessions:
* Your session persists when you close and reopen your browser
* Sessions last for 30 days of inactivity
* Active usage extends your session automatically
### Sign Out
To manually sign out:
1. Click your profile avatar in the top-right corner
2. Click **Sign Out** at the bottom of the menu
3. You'll be redirected to the sign-in page
Always sign out when using shared or public computers to protect your account.
## Account Security
### Best Practices
Follow these guidelines to keep your account secure:
**Strong Authentication**
* Use social login (Google, GitHub) for enhanced security
* If using email/password, create a unique, strong password
* Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in your Google or GitHub account
**Session Security**
* Sign out on shared or public devices
* Don't share your MCP endpoint URL - it contains your authentication token
* Regularly review your organization memberships
**Monitor Access**
* Check activity logs for unexpected actions
* Review your connected AI clients regularly
* Update your password if you suspect unauthorized access
### Two-Factor Authentication
Backstack supports 2FA through your authentication provider:
* **Google accounts** - Enable 2FA in your Google account settings
* **GitHub accounts** - Enable 2FA in your GitHub security settings
* **Email/password** - Coming soon
When 2FA is enabled on your provider account, you'll be prompted for a second factor when signing in to Backstack.
## Troubleshooting
### Can't Sign In
**Problem: Wrong email or password**
* Verify you're using the correct email address
* Check for typos in your password
* Try password reset if you've forgotten your password
* Ensure Caps Lock is off
**Problem: Social login fails**
* Check you're signed in to the correct Google or GitHub account
* Clear your browser cache and cookies
* Try a different browser
* Ensure you're granting the required permissions
### Email Verification Issues
**Problem: Verification email not received**
* Check your spam or junk folder
* Wait a few minutes - emails can be delayed
* Request a new verification email from the sign-in page
* Verify you entered the correct email address
**Problem: Verification link expired**
* Request a new verification link from the sign-in page
* Links expire after 24 hours for security
### Password Reset Problems
**Problem: Reset email not received**
* Check spam folder
* Wait up to 10 minutes for delivery
* Verify you're using the email associated with your account
* Try requesting a new reset link
**Problem: Reset link doesn't work**
* Links expire after 1 hour
* Request a new reset link
* Ensure you're clicking the full link (sometimes email clients truncate URLs)
### Session Expired
**Problem: Frequently asked to sign in again**
* Check your browser isn't clearing cookies on exit
* Ensure you're not in private/incognito mode
* Check that your browser allows cookies for app.backstack.io
* If using multiple devices, you may need to sign in on each
### Account Access Issues
**Problem: Account locked or suspended**
* Contact your organization admin - they may have restricted access
* Check for emails from Backstack about account status
* Ensure you haven't violated terms of service
**Problem: Can't access certain features**
* Verify your role in the organization (Member, Admin, Owner)
* Check with your organization admin about permissions
* Some features require admin or owner access
## Related Resources
Manage your profile and personal settings
Learn about organization management and roles
Get started with Backstack after signing up
Connect AI clients to your Backstack account
## Support
If you're experiencing authentication issues not covered here:
* Contact your organization admin for access-related questions
* Email [support@backstack.io](mailto:support@backstack.io) for technical assistance
* Check the [Backstack status page](https://status.backstack.io) for service issues
* Visit [backstack.io](https://backstack.io) for additional resources