sonr/docs/guides/establish-connection.mdx

---
title: Requesting Permissions
description: A guide to setting up and managing wallet connections with the Sonr decentralized identity system
icon: "shield-check"
---

Sonr provides a seamless and secure way for users to connect their wallets to decentralized applications. This guide covers the different methods for establishing and managing wallet connections, from simple browser-based interactions to backend service integrations.

## The Sonr Connection Model

Unlike traditional Web3 wallets that require browser extensions, Sonr uses a combination of WebAuthn and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) to create a secure, passwordless connection experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="User-Centric" href="/blockchain/modules/did/">
    Users control their identity and grant permissions to applications, not the
    other way around.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Passwordless" href="/blockchain/modules/did/">
    WebAuthn enables biometric and security key authentication, eliminating the
    need for seed phrases.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Multi-Device" href="/blockchain/modules/dwn/">
    Users can securely access their Vault from any device with a modern web
    browser.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Connecting in the Browser

For web applications, the Sonr SDK provides a simple way to initiate a wallet connection.

<Steps>
<Step>
### 1. Initialize the SDK

First, initialize the Sonr SDK in your application. For this example, we'll use the CDN version.

```html
<script type="module">
  import { Sonr } from "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@sonr/sdk";
  const sonr = new Sonr({ httpUrl: "http://localhost:1317" });
</script>
```

</Step>

<Step>
### 2. Request Authentication

Use the `sonr.authenticate()` method to prompt the user to connect their wallet. This will trigger the browser's WebAuthn flow.

```javascript
async function connectWallet() {
  try {
    const session = await sonr.authenticate();
    console.log("Wallet connected!", session);
    // You now have a secure session with the user's Vault
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Failed to connect wallet:", error);
  }
}
```

</Step>

<Step>
### 3. Handle the Session

The `session` object returned from `authenticate()` contains the user's DID and a UCAN token with the requested permissions. You can use this session to interact with the user's Vault.

```javascript
// Example: Get the user's balance
const balance = await session.vault.getAccountBalance();
console.log("User balance:", balance);
```

</Step>
</Steps>

## Backend Wallet Connections

For backend services, you can use the Sonr SDK to interact with user Vaults on behalf of your application.

<Steps>
<Step>
### 1. Service Registration

Your backend service must be registered on the Sonr network. This provides your service with its own DID and allows it to request permissions from users.

{/* Service registration documentation is referenced but not yet available in the docs structure */}

</Step>

<Step>
### 2. Requesting Permissions

Your service can request permissions from users by generating a UCAN request. This is typically done through a user-facing application.

```typescript
// Example: Requesting permission to read a user's profile
const ucanRequest = await sonr.ucan.request({
  audience: "did:sonr:your-service-did",
  resource: `dwn://user-did/profile/read`,
});

// Present this request to the user to be signed by their Vault
```

</Step>

<Step>
### 3. Using Delegated Capabilities

Once a user has approved your request, you will receive a delegated UCAN token. You can use this token to perform actions on the user's behalf.

```go
// Example: Using a delegated UCAN in a Go backend
import "github.com/sonr-io/sonr/x/sonr/pkgs/sdk"

func GetUserProfile(userDID string, delegatedUcan string) (*Profile, error) {
    sonr, _ := sdk.NewSonr(rpcEndpoint, "")

    // Use the delegated UCAN to access the user's profile
    profile, err := sonr.GetUserProfile(userDID, delegatedUcan)
    if err != nil {
        return nil, err
    }

    return profile, nil
}
```

</Step>
</Steps>

## Managing Connections

### Checking Connection Status

You can check the current connection status at any time:

```javascript
const session = await sonr.getSession();

if (session) {
  console.log("User is connected:", session.did);
} else {
  console.log("User is not connected.");
}
```

### Disconnecting

To disconnect a wallet, simply clear the session from your application's state:

```javascript
await sonr.logout();
console.log("User has been disconnected.");
```

This will revoke the current session's UCAN token, but it will not remove any permissions the user has granted to your service.

## Security Considerations

- **UCAN Scopes**: Always request the minimum permissions necessary for your application to function.
- **Token Storage**: Securely store delegated UCAN tokens on your backend. Never expose them on the client-side.
- **Revocation**: Your application should handle UCAN revocations gracefully.

## Next Steps

- [Sending Payments](/highway/wallets/sending-payments)
- [Understanding UCANs](/blockchain/modules/svc/ucan)
- [Explore DWN Architecture](/blockchain/modules/dwn/)