How many steps are in the Identity MVP checklist?

This MVP checklist has 50 actionable items grouped into 5 phases: Planning & Requirements, Development & Implementation, Testing & QA, Deployment & Launch, Iteration & Improvement.

Where should I start with the Identity MVP checklist?

Start with Planning & Requirements — its first tasks are Define Core Authentication Methods and Identify Target User Base. Work the phases in order and prioritise the items marked critical.

What is a key tip for launching in Identity?

Start with a well-defined scope for your Identity platform MVP to avoid feature creep.

Checklist · Identity

Identity MVP checklist — Step by Step 2026

This MVP checklist is designed to guide developers, security teams, and product builders through the essential steps of launching an Identity platform. We'll cover key areas like authentication (Auth), Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), directory services, and compliance, helping you address pain points like user migration and choosing the right identity provider.

50 checklist items 7 min read

Reviewed by Roman Trotsko & Denis TrotskoLast reviewed February 2026

Phase 01

Planning & Requirements

10 tasks

1.1
high1 day
Define Core Authentication Methods
Choose initial authentication methods (e.g., password, passwordless, social login). Consider using Supabase Auth for a quick start.
1.2
critical0.5 days
Identify Target User Base
Determine the initial target users (e.g., developers, small businesses) and their specific identity needs.
1.3
medium1 day
Select Initial Compliance Standards
Identify relevant compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, SOC 2) based on your target users and geographic regions.
1.4
critical2 days
Choose an Identity Provider (IdP) Strategy
Decide whether to build in-house, use a managed service (e.g., Auth0, Clerk), or a combination.
1.5
high0.5 days
Outline Basic User Management Features
Define essential user management features (e.g., user creation, profile editing, password reset).
1.6
medium1 day
Plan for User Migration (if applicable)
If migrating users from another system, outline the migration process and data mapping.
1.7
medium0.5 days
Determine Monetization Strategy
Decide on your initial monetization model (e.g., MAU, per-connection, enterprise plans).
1.8
low0.5 days
Select Initial Launch Channels
Choose your initial launch channels (e.g., Hacker News, Product Hunt, Dev.to).
1.9
medium0.5 days
Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Establish KPIs to measure the success of your Identity platform (e.g., user sign-up rate, authentication success rate).
1.10
medium0.5 days
Assess integration needs
Determine which initial integrations will be needed for your platform (e.g., with existing CRM or analytics tools).

Phase 02

Development & Implementation

10 tasks

2.1
critical3 days
Implement Core Authentication Flows
Develop the basic authentication flows (e.g., login, registration, password reset) using your chosen IdP or in-house solution.
2.2
critical2 days
Integrate with your Application
Integrate the Identity platform with your main application or service.
2.3
high2 days
Implement Basic User Management UI
Create a simple UI for users to manage their profiles and settings.
2.4
high1 day
Set Up Logging and Monitoring
Implement logging and monitoring to track authentication events and identify potential security issues.
2.5
medium2 days
Implement MFA (Optional)
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for enhanced security. Consider options like Clerk or Auth0.
2.6
medium2 days
Implement Basic SSO (Optional)
Integrate basic Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities if required by your target users. WorkOS can be a good option for B2B SSO.
2.7
medium1 day
Implement initial compliance measures
Implement initial security measures to align with selected compliance standards.
2.8
medium1 day
Implement rate limiting and throttling
Implement rate limiting and throttling to prevent abuse and protect your systems.
2.9
medium0.5 days
Set up automated backups
Set up regular automated backups of your identity data.
2.10
high1 day
Implement session management
Implement session management to control user sessions and prevent unauthorized access.

Phase 03

Testing & QA

10 tasks

3.1
critical1 day
Test Core Authentication Flows
Thoroughly test all authentication flows (e.g., login, registration, password reset) with various user accounts.
3.2
high0.5 days
Test User Management Features
Test all user management features (e.g., profile editing, password changes) to ensure they function correctly.
3.3
high1 day
Conduct Security Testing
Perform basic security testing to identify potential vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, XSS).
3.4
medium0.5 days
Test MFA Implementation (if applicable)
Test the MFA implementation to ensure it is working correctly and securely.
3.5
medium0.5 days
Test SSO Integration (if applicable)
Test the SSO integration to ensure users can seamlessly log in with their existing credentials.
3.6
medium1 day
Perform load testing
Simulate a high volume of users to ensure the system can handle the load. Use tools like k6.
3.7
high2 days
Conduct penetration testing
Engage a security expert to conduct penetration testing and identify vulnerabilities.
3.8
medium0.5 days
Test integration with other systems
Test the integration with other systems, such as CRM or analytics tools, to ensure data is flowing correctly.
3.9
high0.5 days
Test error handling and logging
Test the error handling and logging mechanisms to ensure errors are properly logged and can be easily investigated.
3.10
medium1 day
Test user migration process (if applicable)
Test the user migration process to ensure data is migrated correctly and without loss.

Phase 04

Deployment & Launch

10 tasks

4.1
critical1 day
Deploy to Production Environment
Deploy the Identity platform to your production environment.
4.2
highOngoing
Monitor System Performance
Continuously monitor system performance and identify any potential issues.
4.3
low0.5 days
Implement a Bug Bounty Program
Launch a bug bounty program to encourage external security researchers to find and report vulnerabilities.
4.4
medium0.5 days
Prepare Launch Announcement
Draft a launch announcement for your chosen launch channels.
4.5
medium0.5 days
Notify Existing Users (if applicable)
Notify existing users about the new Identity platform and guide them through the migration process.
4.6
high0.5 days
Launch on selected channels
Launch on selected channels such as Hacker News, Product Hunt, and Dev.to.
4.7
highOngoing
Monitor user feedback
Monitor user feedback and address any issues or concerns.
4.8
low0.5 days
Promote the platform on social media
Promote the platform on social media channels such as Twitter and LinkedIn.
4.9
mediumOngoing
Monitor security blogs
Monitor security blogs and forums for any mentions of your platform and address any security concerns.
4.10
medium1 day
Prepare documentation
Prepare comprehensive documentation for users and developers.

Phase 05

Iteration & Improvement

10 tasks

5.1
highOngoing
Gather User Feedback
Collect user feedback through surveys, interviews, and support channels.
5.2
medium1 day
Analyze Usage Data
Analyze usage data to identify areas for improvement and new feature opportunities.
5.3
criticalOngoing
Address Security Vulnerabilities
Promptly address any security vulnerabilities identified through testing or bug bounty programs.
5.4
mediumVaries
Implement New Features
Implement new features based on user feedback and market trends. Consider passwordless authentication or advanced SSO options.
5.5
highOngoing
Improve Performance & Scalability
Continuously improve the performance and scalability of the Identity platform to handle growing user base.
5.6
high1 day
Automate security checks
Automate security checks and vulnerability scanning to proactively identify and address security issues.
5.7
mediumOngoing
Improve compliance posture
Continuously improve your compliance posture to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
5.8
mediumVaries
Expand integration options
Expand integration options to support a wider range of applications and services.
5.9
lowOngoing
Improve documentation
Continuously improve the documentation based on user feedback and new features.
5.10
lowOngoing
Monitor competitor activity
Monitor competitor activity and adapt your strategy accordingly.

Pro tips

Start with a well-defined scope for your Identity platform MVP to avoid feature creep.
Prioritize security from the beginning and implement robust authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Consider using a managed Identity service like Auth0 or Clerk to accelerate development and reduce operational overhead.
Focus on providing a seamless user experience for both authentication and user management.
Continuously monitor and improve your Identity platform based on user feedback and security best practices.

Identity MVP checklist — Step by Step 2026

Planning & Requirements

Define Core Authentication Methods

Identify Target User Base

Select Initial Compliance Standards

Choose an Identity Provider (IdP) Strategy

Outline Basic User Management Features

Plan for User Migration (if applicable)

Determine Monetization Strategy

Select Initial Launch Channels

Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Assess integration needs

Development & Implementation

Implement Core Authentication Flows

Integrate with your Application

Implement Basic User Management UI

Set Up Logging and Monitoring

Implement MFA (Optional)

Implement Basic SSO (Optional)

Implement initial compliance measures

Implement rate limiting and throttling

Set up automated backups

Implement session management

Testing & QA

Test Core Authentication Flows

Test User Management Features

Conduct Security Testing

Test MFA Implementation (if applicable)

Test SSO Integration (if applicable)

Perform load testing

Conduct penetration testing

Test integration with other systems

Test error handling and logging

Test user migration process (if applicable)

Deployment & Launch

Deploy to Production Environment

Monitor System Performance

Implement a Bug Bounty Program

Prepare Launch Announcement

Notify Existing Users (if applicable)

Launch on selected channels

Monitor user feedback

Promote the platform on social media

Monitor security blogs

Prepare documentation

Iteration & Improvement

Gather User Feedback

Analyze Usage Data

Address Security Vulnerabilities

Implement New Features

Improve Performance & Scalability

Automate security checks

Improve compliance posture

Expand integration options

Improve documentation

Monitor competitor activity

Pro tips

Frequently asked questions

How many steps are in the Identity MVP checklist?

Where should I start with the Identity MVP checklist?

What is a key tip for launching in Identity?

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