Cookie vs. Bearer Token authentication architecture compares two modern auth patterns for Next.js and Hono backends integrated with Supabase. The cookie-based flow auto-sends credentials with browser requests through Next.js Middleware, while the token-based flow uses Authorization headers for API clients and mobile apps. Both patterns verify users via supabase.auth.getUser(), enforce role-based access control, and handle token refresh—cookie approach leverages server-side session management, token approach suits stateless API servers. Fork this diagram to customize middleware logic, add custom claims, or adapt for your auth provider. Choose cookies for traditional web apps prioritizing simplicity; choose Bearer tokens for APIs, mobile clients, and microservices requiring stateless verification.