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# Password Reset Feature Guide

## Overview

A complete password reset functionality has been implemented in the Smart Links application. Users can now request password reset links via email and securely reset their passwords.

## How It Works

### 1. **User Flow**

1. User clicks "Forgot password?" link on the login page
2. User enters their email address
3. System sends a password reset link via email
4. User clicks the link in the email
5. User enters a new password (minimum 8 characters)
6. Password is updated and user is redirected to login

### 2. **Security Features**

- **Token-based reset**: Uses Laravel's built-in password reset token system
- **Time-limited tokens**: Reset tokens expire after 60 minutes (configurable in `config/auth.php`)
- **Rate limiting**: Password reset requests are throttled to prevent abuse
- **Email verification**: Reset link is sent only to the user's registered email
- **Password confirmation**: Users must confirm their new password before submitting
- **Token validation**: Tokens are verified before allowing password changes

## File Structure

### Livewire Components

**1. `app/Livewire/Auth/ForgotPassword.php`**
- Handles the "Forgot Password" form
- Validates email address
- Sends password reset link via email
- Shows success message after sending link

**2. `app/Livewire/Auth/ResetPassword.php`**
- Handles the password reset form
- Validates reset token (token + email must match)
- Validates new password (minimum 8 characters, must be confirmed)
- Updates the password in the database
- Deletes all existing tokens for the user (forces re-login on other devices)
- Redirects to login after successful reset

### Views

**1. `resources/views/livewire/auth/forgot-password.blade.php`**
- Clean, modern form asking for email address
- Success message showing email was sent
- Option to try again if email wasn't received
- Link back to login page

**2. `resources/views/livewire/auth/reset-password.blade.php`**
- Password reset form with email, password, and password confirmation fields
- Handles expired token display with helpful message
- Shows error messages if reset fails
- Link back to login page

### Notifications

**`app/Notifications/ResetPasswordNotification.php`**
- Sends the password reset email
- Includes a link to reset the password
- Shows expiration time (60 minutes)
- Professional, branded email template

### Database

**`database/migrations/2025_11_04_create_password_resets_table.php`**
- Creates the `password_resets` table
- Stores email, token, and creation timestamp
- Used by Laravel's Password Broker to manage reset tokens

### User Model

**`app/Models/User.php`**
- Added import for `ResetPasswordNotification`
- Added `sendPasswordResetNotification()` method
- This method is called by Laravel's Password Broker automatically

### Routes

**`routes/web.php`**
```php
Route::middleware('guest')->group(function () {
    Route::get('/password/request', ForgotPassword::class)->name('password.request');
    Route::get('/password/reset/{token}', ResetPassword::class)->name('password.reset');
});
```

### Login Page Update

**`resources/views/livewire/auth/login.blade.php`**
- Added "Forgot password?" link below password field
- Links to `/password/request` route

## Configuration

### Email Settings

The password reset feature requires proper email configuration. Edit your `.env` file:

```env
MAIL_MAILER=smtp
MAIL_HOST=smtp.your-provider.com
MAIL_PORT=587
MAIL_USERNAME=your-email@example.com
MAIL_PASSWORD=your-password
MAIL_ENCRYPTION=tls
MAIL_FROM_ADDRESS=noreply@smartlinks.com
MAIL_FROM_NAME="SmartLinks"
```

### Password Reset Settings

Edit `config/auth.php`:

```php
'passwords' => [
    'users' => [
        'provider' => 'users',
        'table' => 'password_resets',
        'expire' => 60,          // Token expires after 60 minutes
        'throttle' => 60,        // Throttle requests to once per 60 seconds
    ],
],
```

## Database Migration

Before using the password reset feature, run the migration:

```bash
php artisan migrate
```

This creates the `password_resets` table needed to store reset tokens.

## Testing

### Local Testing

For local testing, you can use Mailtrap or Laravel's log mail driver. Set in `.env`:

```env
MAIL_MAILER=log
```

Then check `storage/logs/laravel.log` for the reset link.

### Manual Testing Steps

1. Navigate to `/login`
2. Click "Forgot password?" link
3. Enter a registered email address
4. Verify email was sent (check logs or email provider)
5. Copy the reset link from the email
6. Paste the link into your browser
7. Fill in new password and confirmation
8. Submit the form
9. Verify you're redirected to login page
10. Try logging in with the new password

## Features Included

✅ Forgot password form with email validation
✅ Password reset form with token validation
✅ Email notifications with reset link
✅ Token expiration (60 minutes)
✅ Rate limiting
✅ Password confirmation matching
✅ Minimum password length (8 characters)
✅ Automatic token deletion after successful reset
✅ Token expiration handling with helpful error messages
✅ Dark mode support
✅ Responsive design (mobile-friendly)
✅ Livewire validation with real-time error clearing
✅ Success/error flash messages

## User Experience Enhancements

1. **Real-time Validation**: Validation errors clear as user types
2. **Clear Messaging**: Users are told exactly what went wrong and how to fix it
3. **Multiple Ways Forward**: Links to login/forgot password on both pages
4. **Expired Token Handling**: If a token expires, user is guided to request a new one
5. **Email Not Found**: Clear message if email doesn't exist in system
6. **Success Confirmation**: User knows email was sent and what to expect
7. **Loading States**: Button disables during form submission
8. **Dark Mode**: All pages support dark/light mode

## Troubleshooting

### Problem: "Email not found" error
**Solution**: User must enter the email address associated with their account. If they're not sure, check with them to confirm the correct email.

### Problem: Password reset email not received
**Possible causes**:
- Email configuration not set up correctly - Check `.env` MAIL_* settings
- Email is in spam folder - Ask user to check spam/junk
- Wrong email address - Verify user has correct email
- Rate limiting - User tried too many times, wait a few minutes

**Solution**:
1. Verify email settings in `.env`
2. Check server logs: `tail -f storage/logs/laravel.log`
3. Test email sending: `php artisan tinker` then `Mail::raw('test', function ($m) { $m->to('test@example.com'); });`

### Problem: "Reset link has expired" message
**Solution**: User should request a new password reset link. The token is valid for 60 minutes from when it was generated.

### Problem: "Passwords do not match" error
**Solution**: Ensure the password and password confirmation fields match exactly. Password is case-sensitive.

## Security Considerations

1. **Tokens are secure**: Uses Laravel's built-in secure token generation
2. **Tokens are time-limited**: Expire after 60 minutes
3. **Tokens are one-time use**: Deleted after successful reset
4. **Email verification**: Only the user's registered email receives the reset link
5. **Account logout**: All tokens are revoked on password reset (forces re-login)
6. **Rate limiting**: Prevents brute force attempts to guess email addresses
7. **HTTPS only**: All password transmission happens over HTTPS in production

## Future Enhancements

Potential improvements to consider:

- Two-factor authentication integration
- SMS-based password reset as alternative
- Password reset confirmation email
- Password reset history/audit log
- Security questions as additional verification
- Account recovery codes for emergencies
- Password strength indicator on reset form

## Support

For issues or feature requests related to password reset functionality, please contact the development team.

---

**Implementation Date**: November 4, 2025
**Version**: 1.0
**Status**: Production Ready