Hi, my name is Tom Smykowski, I'm a staff full-stack engineer. I build and scale SaaS platforms to millions of users, working end-to-end from system architecture to frontend to mobile. On this blog I share what I learn about building robust software systems and overcoming architectural challenges.
What This Article Covers
Explore the intricacies of using Supabase's Row Level Security (RLS) as a sole access control mechanism in modern applications. Learn about the common pitfalls developers face when relying entirely on a no-backend approach and the complexities that arise as applications scale beyond simple use cases. Delve into practical insights on maintaining robust and consistent permission systems in growing projects.
Questions This Article Answers
- What are the limitations of using Supabase RLS for full-stack access control?
- Why do circular dependencies in RLS policies cause problems?
- How can you manage complex access rules without a traditional backend?
- What are the alternative solutions when RLS policies become too complex?
- Why is a proper backend necessary for scalable and maintainable applications?
Length and Time
A comprehensive exploration with practical examples and expert insights. Approximately 12 minutes to read.