Which external backend, like what its for.

If its something to perform sensitive actions only performed by a admin, and permissions need to be verified on nextjs app, then 1(for mutations) or 2

this is my lib/api-client.ts. I am not sure if this is the best practise.

"use server";

import { auth } from "@clerk/nextjs/server";

const getBaseUrl = () => {
  const baseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL;
  if (!baseUrl) {
    throw new Error("NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL is not defined");
  }
  return baseUrl;
};

export async function request<T>(
  endpoint: string,
  options: RequestInit = {}
): Promise<T> {
  const headers: Record<string, string> = {
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    ...((options.headers as Record<string, string>) || {}),
  };

  const { getToken } = await auth();
  const token = await getToken();
  if (token) {
    headers.Authorization = `Bearer ${token}`;
  }

  const res = await fetch(`${getBaseUrl()}${endpoint}`, {
    ...options,
    headers,
  });

  if (!res.ok) {
    throw new Error(`Request failed with status ${res.status}`);
  }

  return res.json();
}

I need to "use server" here to retrieve token from clerk

Backend is .NET C#, All requests will go there.

you can get token in frontend

I guess

You'll just get unnecessary costs of server function invocations., its best to get token in frontend, I believe its possible.

@Anay-208 | Ping in replies Yeah we are able to get the token in "use client" components aswell. I did not know about the cost for invocations when using "use server" .
So if my backend is separated, I shouldn't use server in NextJS?

It completely depends, But in this usecase, I wouldn't say you use server for this usecase.


adding "use server" on top of files basically mean that those functions will be executed on the server

If your issue is solved, Can you mark solution?