Practical overview
When it fits
Use it when a JavaScript application needs PASETO token operations and its developers can work with the documented low-level API, protocol versions and key objects.
Who it is for
- JavaScript developers implementing bearer-token authentication or authorization.
- Developers evaluating PASETO as an alternative token format to JWT.
- Teams that need direct control over protocol objects and key handling.
Documented uses
- Create PASETO tokens for use as bearer tokens.
- Encrypt and decrypt local PASETO tokens.
- Sign and verify public PASETO tokens.
- Generate or provide key material for token processing.
Requirements & limits
- The README identifies Node.js as the primary runtime and browser support as intended, not as a documented target with demonstrated support.
- The high-level API for encoding and securing JSON objects is not yet implemented; the available interface is low-level.
- V2 is recommended by the project when possible; V1 is presented for legacy or other constraints.
- Local tokens are encrypted and authenticated; public tokens are signed and authenticated but not encrypted.
- Messages and footers must be UTF-8 encoded. Binary data is recommended to be URL-safe Base64 encoded.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Install Paseto.js in a Node.js project
Add the library to a project before using its documented low-level token API.
Before you start
- A Node.js project
- npm or Yarn
Steps
Run the command below or
yarn add paseto.js.npm install paseto.jsLoad the package in JavaScript with
const Paseto = require('paseto.js');.Choose a documented protocol object, such as
new Paseto.V2(), and create or provide a suitable key before calling token methods.
Expected outcome
The package is added to the project and the documented low-level API can be referenced in code.
Guide limitations
- The high-level API is not implemented in the README.
- The README identifies Node.js as the primary runtime; browser support is described as intended.
- Key handling and storage are outside the library’s scope.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 18 October 2026
- Original website title
- sjudson/paseto.js · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

