feat(security): add BeforeHandle hook for auth checks after model resolution

- Implement BeforeHandle hook to enforce authentication based on model rules.
- Integrate with existing security mechanisms to allow or deny access.
- Update documentation to reflect new hook and its usage.

pkg/funcspec/security_adapter.go

@@ -2,14 +2,38 @@ package funcspec
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
 
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/security"
 )
 
 // RegisterSecurityHooks registers security hooks for funcspec handlers
 // Note: funcspec operates on SQL queries directly, so row-level security is not directly applicable
-// We provide audit logging for data access tracking
+// We provide auth enforcement and audit logging for data access tracking
 func RegisterSecurityHooks(handler *Handler, securityList *security.SecurityList) {
+	// Hook 0: BeforeQueryList - Auth check before list query execution
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeQueryList, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		if hookCtx.UserContext == nil || hookCtx.UserContext.UserID == 0 {
+			hookCtx.Abort = true
+			hookCtx.AbortMessage = "authentication required"
+			hookCtx.AbortCode = http.StatusUnauthorized
+			return fmt.Errorf("authentication required")
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	// Hook 0: BeforeQuery - Auth check before single query execution
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeQuery, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		if hookCtx.UserContext == nil || hookCtx.UserContext.UserID == 0 {
+			hookCtx.Abort = true
+			hookCtx.AbortMessage = "authentication required"
+			hookCtx.AbortCode = http.StatusUnauthorized
+			return fmt.Errorf("authentication required")
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
 	// Hook 1: BeforeQueryList - Audit logging before query list execution
 	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeQueryList, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
 		secCtx := newFuncSpecSecurityContext(hookCtx)

pkg/modelregistry/model_registry.go

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import (
 type ModelRules struct {
 	CanPublicRead    bool // Whether the model can be read (GET operations)
 	CanPublicUpdate  bool // Whether the model can be updated (PUT/PATCH operations)
+	CanPublicCreate  bool // Whether the model can be created (POST operations)
+	CanPublicDelete  bool // Whether the model can be deleted (DELETE operations)
 	CanRead          bool // Whether the model can be read (GET operations)
 	CanUpdate        bool // Whether the model can be updated (PUT/PATCH operations)
 	CanCreate        bool // Whether the model can be created (POST operations)
@@ -26,6 +28,8 @@ func DefaultModelRules() ModelRules {
 		CanDelete:        true,
 		CanPublicRead:    false,
 		CanPublicUpdate:  false,
+		CanPublicCreate:  false,
+		CanPublicDelete:  false,
 		SecurityDisabled: false,
 	}
 }

pkg/mqttspec/README.md

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ MQTTSpec is an MQTT-based database query framework that enables real-time databa
 - **Full CRUD Operations**: Create, Read, Update, Delete with hooks
 - **Real-time Subscriptions**: Subscribe to entity changes with filtering
 - **Database Agnostic**: GORM and Bun ORM support
-- **Lifecycle Hooks**: 12 hooks for authentication, authorization, validation, and auditing
+- **Lifecycle Hooks**: 13 hooks for authentication, authorization, validation, and auditing
 - **Multi-tenancy Support**: Built-in tenant isolation via hooks
 - **Thread-safe**: Proper concurrency handling throughout
 
@@ -326,10 +326,11 @@ When any client creates/updates/deletes a user matching the subscription filters
 
 ## Lifecycle Hooks
 
-MQTTSpec provides 12 lifecycle hooks for implementing cross-cutting concerns:
+MQTTSpec provides 13 lifecycle hooks for implementing cross-cutting concerns:
 
 ### Hook Types
 
+- `BeforeHandle` — fires after model resolution, before operation dispatch (auth checks)
 - `BeforeConnect` / `AfterConnect` - Connection lifecycle
 - `BeforeDisconnect` / `AfterDisconnect` - Disconnection lifecycle
 - `BeforeRead` / `AfterRead` - Read operations
@@ -339,6 +340,20 @@ MQTTSpec provides 12 lifecycle hooks for implementing cross-cutting concerns:
 - `BeforeSubscribe` / `AfterSubscribe` - Subscription creation
 - `BeforeUnsubscribe` / `AfterUnsubscribe` - Subscription removal
 
+### Security Hooks (Recommended)
+
+Use `RegisterSecurityHooks` for integrated auth with model-rule support:
+
+```go
+import "github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/security"
+
+provider := security.NewCompositeSecurityProvider(auth, colSec, rowSec)
+securityList := security.NewSecurityList(provider)
+mqttspec.RegisterSecurityHooks(handler, securityList)
+// Registers BeforeHandle (model auth), BeforeRead (load rules),
+// AfterRead (column security + audit), BeforeUpdate, BeforeDelete
+```
+
 ### Authentication Example (JWT)
 
 ```go
@@ -657,7 +672,7 @@ handler, err := mqttspec.NewHandlerWithGORM(db,
 | **Network Efficiency** | Better for unreliable networks | Better for low-latency |
 | **Best For** | IoT, mobile apps, distributed systems | Web applications, real-time dashboards |
 | **Message Protocol** | Same JSON structure | Same JSON structure |
-| **Hooks** | Same 12 hooks | Same 12 hooks |
+| **Hooks** | Same 13 hooks | Same 13 hooks |
 | **CRUD Operations** | Identical | Identical |
 | **Subscriptions** | Identical (via MQTT topics) | Identical (via app-level) |
 

pkg/mqttspec/handler.go

@@ -284,6 +284,15 @@ func (h *Handler) handleRequest(client *Client, msg *Message) {
 		},
 	}
 
+	// Execute BeforeHandle hook - auth check fires here, after model resolution
+	hookCtx.Operation = string(msg.Operation)
+	if err := h.hooks.Execute(BeforeHandle, hookCtx); err != nil {
+		if hookCtx.Abort {
+			h.sendError(client.ID, msg.ID, "unauthorized", hookCtx.AbortMessage)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
 	// Route to operation handler
 	switch msg.Operation {
 	case OperationRead:

pkg/mqttspec/hooks.go

@@ -20,8 +20,11 @@ type (
 	HookRegistry = websocketspec.HookRegistry
 )
 
-// Hook type constants - all 12 lifecycle hooks
+// Hook type constants - all lifecycle hooks
 const (
+	// BeforeHandle fires after model resolution, before operation dispatch
+	BeforeHandle = websocketspec.BeforeHandle
+
 	// CRUD operation hooks
 	BeforeRead   = websocketspec.BeforeRead
 	AfterRead    = websocketspec.AfterRead

pkg/mqttspec/security_hooks.go

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+package mqttspec
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"net/http"
+
+	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/logger"
+	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/security"
+)
+
+// RegisterSecurityHooks registers all security-related hooks with the MQTT handler
+func RegisterSecurityHooks(handler *Handler, securityList *security.SecurityList) {
+	// Hook 0: BeforeHandle - enforce auth after model resolution
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeHandle, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		if err := security.CheckModelAuthAllowed(newSecurityContext(hookCtx), hookCtx.Operation); err != nil {
+			hookCtx.Abort = true
+			hookCtx.AbortMessage = err.Error()
+			hookCtx.AbortCode = http.StatusUnauthorized
+			return err
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	// Hook 1: BeforeRead - Load security rules
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeRead, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)
+		return security.LoadSecurityRules(secCtx, securityList)
+	})
+
+	// Hook 2: AfterRead - Apply column-level security (masking)
+	handler.Hooks().Register(AfterRead, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)
+		return security.ApplyColumnSecurity(secCtx, securityList)
+	})
+
+	// Hook 3 (Optional): Audit logging
+	handler.Hooks().Register(AfterRead, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)
+		return security.LogDataAccess(secCtx)
+	})
+
+	// Hook 4: BeforeUpdate - enforce CanUpdate rule from context/registry
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeUpdate, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)
+		return security.CheckModelUpdateAllowed(secCtx)
+	})
+
+	// Hook 5: BeforeDelete - enforce CanDelete rule from context/registry
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeDelete, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)
+		return security.CheckModelDeleteAllowed(secCtx)
+	})
+
+	logger.Info("Security hooks registered for mqttspec handler")
+}
+
+// securityContext adapts mqttspec.HookContext to security.SecurityContext interface
+type securityContext struct {
+	ctx *HookContext
+}
+
+func newSecurityContext(ctx *HookContext) security.SecurityContext {
+	return &securityContext{ctx: ctx}
+}
+
+func (s *securityContext) GetContext() context.Context {
+	return s.ctx.Context
+}
+
+func (s *securityContext) GetUserID() (int, bool) {
+	return security.GetUserID(s.ctx.Context)
+}
+
+func (s *securityContext) GetSchema() string {
+	return s.ctx.Schema
+}
+
+func (s *securityContext) GetEntity() string {
+	return s.ctx.Entity
+}
+
+func (s *securityContext) GetModel() interface{} {
+	return s.ctx.Model
+}
+
+// GetQuery retrieves a stored query from hook metadata
+func (s *securityContext) GetQuery() interface{} {
+	if s.ctx.Metadata == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return s.ctx.Metadata["query"]
+}
+
+// SetQuery stores the query in hook metadata
+func (s *securityContext) SetQuery(query interface{}) {
+	if s.ctx.Metadata == nil {
+		s.ctx.Metadata = make(map[string]interface{})
+	}
+	s.ctx.Metadata["query"] = query
+}
+
+func (s *securityContext) GetResult() interface{} {
+	return s.ctx.Result
+}
+
+func (s *securityContext) SetResult(result interface{}) {
+	s.ctx.Result = result
+}

pkg/resolvespec/README.md

@@ -644,6 +644,7 @@ handler.Hooks().Register(resolvespec.BeforeCreate, func(ctx *resolvespec.HookCon
     CreatedAt time.Time `json:"created_at"`
     Tags      []Tag     `json:"tags,omitempty" gorm:"many2many:post_tags"`
 }
+
 // Schema.Table format
 handler.registry.RegisterModel("core.users", &User{})
 handler.registry.RegisterModel("core.posts", &Post{})
@@ -654,11 +655,13 @@ handler.Hooks().Register(resolvespec.BeforeCreate, func(ctx *resolvespec.HookCon
 ```go
 package main
 
+import (
     "log"
     "net/http"
 
     "github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/resolvespec"
     "github.com/gorilla/mux"
+    "gorm.io/driver/postgres"
     "gorm.io/gorm"
 )
 

pkg/resolvespec/handler.go

@@ -138,6 +138,26 @@ func (h *Handler) Handle(w common.ResponseWriter, r common.Request, params map[s
 	validator := common.NewColumnValidator(model)
 	req.Options = validator.FilterRequestOptions(req.Options)
 
+	// Execute BeforeHandle hook - auth check fires here, after model resolution
+	beforeCtx := &HookContext{
+		Context:   ctx,
+		Handler:   h,
+		Schema:    schema,
+		Entity:    entity,
+		Model:     model,
+		Writer:    w,
+		Request:   r,
+		Operation: req.Operation,
+	}
+	if err := h.hooks.Execute(BeforeHandle, beforeCtx); err != nil {
+		code := http.StatusUnauthorized
+		if beforeCtx.AbortCode != 0 {
+			code = beforeCtx.AbortCode
+		}
+		h.sendError(w, code, "unauthorized", beforeCtx.AbortMessage, err)
+		return
+	}
+
 	switch req.Operation {
 	case "read":
 		h.handleRead(ctx, w, id, req.Options)

pkg/resolvespec/hooks.go

@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ import (
 type HookType string
 
 const (
+	// BeforeHandle fires after model resolution, before operation dispatch.
+	// Use this for auth checks that need model rules and user context simultaneously.
+	BeforeHandle HookType = "before_handle"
+
 	// Read operation hooks
 	BeforeRead HookType = "before_read"
 	AfterRead  HookType = "after_read"
@@ -43,6 +47,9 @@ type HookContext struct {
 	Writer  common.ResponseWriter
 	Request common.Request
 
+	// Operation being dispatched (e.g. "read", "create", "update", "delete")
+	Operation string
+
 	// Operation-specific fields
 	ID     string
 	Data   interface{} // For create/update operations

pkg/resolvespec/security_hooks.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package resolvespec
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"net/http"
 
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/common"
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/logger"
@@ -10,6 +11,17 @@ import (
 
 // RegisterSecurityHooks registers all security-related hooks with the handler
 func RegisterSecurityHooks(handler *Handler, securityList *security.SecurityList) {
+	// Hook 0: BeforeHandle - enforce auth after model resolution
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeHandle, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		if err := security.CheckModelAuthAllowed(newSecurityContext(hookCtx), hookCtx.Operation); err != nil {
+			hookCtx.Abort = true
+			hookCtx.AbortMessage = err.Error()
+			hookCtx.AbortCode = http.StatusUnauthorized
+			return err
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
 	// Hook 1: BeforeRead - Load security rules
 	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeRead, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
 		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)

pkg/restheadspec/README.md

@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@ handler.Hooks.Register(restheadspec.BeforeCreate, func(ctx *restheadspec.HookCon
 ```
 
 **Available Hook Types**:
+* `BeforeHandle` — fires after model resolution, before operation dispatch (auth checks)
 * `BeforeRead`, `AfterRead`
 * `BeforeCreate`, `AfterCreate`
 * `BeforeUpdate`, `AfterUpdate`
@@ -157,11 +158,13 @@ handler.Hooks.Register(restheadspec.BeforeCreate, func(ctx *restheadspec.HookCon
 * `Handler`: Access to handler, database, and registry
 * `Schema`, `Entity`, `TableName`: Request info
 * `Model`: The registered model type
+* `Operation`: Current operation string (`"read"`, `"create"`, `"update"`, `"delete"`)
 * `Options`: Parsed request options (filters, sorting, etc.)
 * `ID`: Record ID (for single-record operations)
 * `Data`: Request data (for create/update)
 * `Result`: Operation result (for after hooks)
 * `Writer`: Response writer (allows hooks to modify response)
+* `Abort`, `AbortMessage`, `AbortCode`: Set in hook to abort with an error response
 
 ## Cursor Pagination
 

pkg/restheadspec/handler.go

@@ -133,6 +133,41 @@ func (h *Handler) Handle(w common.ResponseWriter, r common.Request, params map[s
 	// Add request-scoped data to context (including options)
 	ctx = WithRequestData(ctx, schema, entity, tableName, model, modelPtr, options)
 
+	// Derive operation for auth check
+	var operation string
+	switch method {
+	case "GET":
+		operation = "read"
+	case "POST":
+		operation = "create"
+	case "PUT", "PATCH":
+		operation = "update"
+	case "DELETE":
+		operation = "delete"
+	default:
+		operation = "read"
+	}
+
+	// Execute BeforeHandle hook - auth check fires here, after model resolution
+	beforeCtx := &HookContext{
+		Context:   ctx,
+		Handler:   h,
+		Schema:    schema,
+		Entity:    entity,
+		Model:     model,
+		Writer:    w,
+		Request:   r,
+		Operation: operation,
+	}
+	if err := h.hooks.Execute(BeforeHandle, beforeCtx); err != nil {
+		code := http.StatusUnauthorized
+		if beforeCtx.AbortCode != 0 {
+			code = beforeCtx.AbortCode
+		}
+		h.sendError(w, code, "unauthorized", beforeCtx.AbortMessage, err)
+		return
+	}
+
 	switch method {
 	case "GET":
 		if id != "" {

pkg/restheadspec/hooks.go

@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ import (
 type HookType string
 
 const (
+	// BeforeHandle fires after model resolution, before operation dispatch.
+	// Use this for auth checks that need model rules and user context simultaneously.
+	BeforeHandle HookType = "before_handle"
+
 	// Read operation hooks
 	BeforeRead HookType = "before_read"
 	AfterRead  HookType = "after_read"
@@ -42,6 +46,9 @@ type HookContext struct {
 	Model     interface{}
 	Options   ExtendedRequestOptions
 
+	// Operation being dispatched (e.g. "read", "create", "update", "delete")
+	Operation string
+
 	// Operation-specific fields
 	ID          string
 	Data        interface{} // For create/update operations
@@ -56,6 +63,14 @@ type HookContext struct {
 	// Response writer - allows hooks to modify response
 	Writer common.ResponseWriter
 
+	// Request - the original HTTP request
+	Request common.Request
+
+	// Allow hooks to abort the operation
+	Abort        bool   // If set to true, the operation will be aborted
+	AbortMessage string // Message to return if aborted
+	AbortCode    int    // HTTP status code if aborted
+
 	// Tx provides access to the database/transaction for executing additional SQL
 	// This allows hooks to run custom queries in addition to the main Query chain
 	Tx common.Database
@@ -110,6 +125,12 @@ func (r *HookRegistry) Execute(hookType HookType, ctx *HookContext) error {
 			logger.Error("Hook %d for %s failed: %v", i+1, hookType, err)
 			return fmt.Errorf("hook execution failed: %w", err)
 		}
+
+		// Check if hook requested abort
+		if ctx.Abort {
+			logger.Warn("Hook %d for %s requested abort: %s", i+1, hookType, ctx.AbortMessage)
+			return fmt.Errorf("operation aborted by hook: %s", ctx.AbortMessage)
+		}
 	}
 
 	// logger.Debug("All hooks for %s executed successfully", hookType)

pkg/restheadspec/security_hooks.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package restheadspec
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"net/http"
 
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/logger"
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/security"
@@ -9,6 +10,17 @@ import (
 
 // RegisterSecurityHooks registers all security-related hooks with the handler
 func RegisterSecurityHooks(handler *Handler, securityList *security.SecurityList) {
+	// Hook 0: BeforeHandle - enforce auth after model resolution
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeHandle, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		if err := security.CheckModelAuthAllowed(newSecurityContext(hookCtx), hookCtx.Operation); err != nil {
+			hookCtx.Abort = true
+			hookCtx.AbortMessage = err.Error()
+			hookCtx.AbortCode = http.StatusUnauthorized
+			return err
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
 	// Hook 1: BeforeRead - Load security rules
 	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeRead, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
 		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)

pkg/security/QUICK_REFERENCE.md

@@ -405,11 +405,16 @@ assert.Equal(t, "user_id = {UserID}", row.Template)
 ```
 HTTP Request
     ↓
-NewAuthMiddleware → calls provider.Authenticate()
+NewOptionalAuthMiddleware → calls provider.Authenticate()
-    ↓ (adds UserContext to context)
+    ↓ (adds UserContext or guest context; never 401)
 SetSecurityMiddleware → adds SecurityList to context
     ↓
-Handler.Handle()
+Handler.Handle() → resolves model
+    ↓
+BeforeHandle Hook → CheckModelAuthAllowed(secCtx, operation)
+    ├─ SecurityDisabled → allow
+    ├─ CanPublicRead/Create/Update/Delete → allow unauthenticated
+    └─ UserID == 0 → abort 401
     ↓
 BeforeRead Hook → calls provider.GetColumnSecurity() + GetRowSecurity()
     ↓
@@ -693,15 +698,30 @@ http.Handle("/api/protected", authHandler)
 optionalHandler := security.NewOptionalAuthHandler(securityList, myHandler)
 http.Handle("/home", optionalHandler)
 
-// Example handler
+// NewOptionalAuthMiddleware - For spec routes; auth enforcement deferred to BeforeHandle
-func myHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+apiRouter.Use(security.NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(securityList))
-    userCtx, _ := security.GetUserContext(r.Context())
+apiRouter.Use(security.SetSecurityMiddleware(securityList))
-    if userCtx.UserID == 0 {
+restheadspec.RegisterSecurityHooks(handler, securityList) // includes BeforeHandle
-        // Guest user
+```
-    } else {
+
-        // Authenticated user
+---
-    }
+
-}
+## Model-Level Access Control
+
+```go
+// Register model with rules (pkg/modelregistry)
+modelregistry.RegisterModelWithRules("public.products", &Product{}, modelregistry.ModelRules{
+    SecurityDisabled: false,  // skip all auth when true
+    CanPublicRead:    true,   // unauthenticated reads allowed
+    CanPublicCreate:  false,  // requires auth
+    CanPublicUpdate:  false,  // requires auth
+    CanPublicDelete:  false,  // requires auth
+    CanUpdate:        true,   // authenticated can update
+    CanDelete:        false,  // authenticated cannot delete (enforced in BeforeDelete)
+})
+
+// CheckModelAuthAllowed used automatically in BeforeHandle hook
+// No code needed — call RegisterSecurityHooks and it's applied
 ```
 
 ---

pkg/security/README.md

@@ -751,14 +751,25 @@ resolvespec.RegisterSecurityHooks(resolveHandler, securityList)
 ```
 HTTP Request
     ↓
-NewAuthMiddleware (security package)
+NewOptionalAuthMiddleware (security package)  ← recommended for spec routes
     ├─ Calls provider.Authenticate(request)
-    └─ Adds UserContext to context
+    ├─ On success: adds authenticated UserContext to context
+    └─ On failure: adds guest UserContext (UserID=0) to context
     ↓
 SetSecurityMiddleware (security package)
     └─ Adds SecurityList to context
     ↓
-Spec Handler (restheadspec/funcspec/resolvespec)
+Spec Handler (restheadspec/funcspec/resolvespec/websocketspec/mqttspec)
+    └─ Resolves schema + entity + model from request
+    ↓
+BeforeHandle Hook (registered by spec via RegisterSecurityHooks)
+    ├─ Adapts spec's HookContext → SecurityContext
+    ├─ Calls security.CheckModelAuthAllowed(secCtx, operation)
+    │   ├─ Loads model rules from context or registry
+    │   ├─ SecurityDisabled → allow
+    │   ├─ CanPublicRead/Create/Update/Delete → allow unauthenticated
+    │   └─ UserID == 0 → 401 unauthorized
+    └─ On error: aborts with 401
     ↓
 BeforeRead Hook (registered by spec)
     ├─ Adapts spec's HookContext → SecurityContext
@@ -784,7 +795,8 @@ HTTP Response (secured data)
 ```
 
 **Key Points:**
-- Security package is spec-agnostic and provides core logic
+- `NewOptionalAuthMiddleware` never rejects — it sets guest context on auth failure; `BeforeHandle` enforces auth after model resolution
+- `BeforeHandle` fires after model resolution, giving access to model rules and user context simultaneously
 - Each spec registers its own hooks that adapt to SecurityContext
 - Security rules are loaded once and cached for the request
 - Row security is applied to the query (database level)
@@ -1002,15 +1014,49 @@ func (p *MyProvider) GetRowSecurity(ctx context.Context, userID int, schema, tab
 }
 ```
 
+## Model-Level Access Control
+
+Use `ModelRules` (from `pkg/modelregistry`) to control per-entity auth behavior:
+
+```go
+modelregistry.RegisterModelWithRules("public.products", &Product{}, modelregistry.ModelRules{
+    SecurityDisabled: false,   // true = skip all auth checks
+    CanPublicRead:    true,    // unauthenticated GET allowed
+    CanPublicCreate:  false,   // requires auth
+    CanPublicUpdate:  false,   // requires auth
+    CanPublicDelete:  false,   // requires auth
+    CanUpdate:        true,    // authenticated users can update
+    CanDelete:        false,   // authenticated users cannot delete
+})
+```
+
+`CheckModelAuthAllowed(secCtx, operation)` applies these rules in `BeforeHandle`:
+1. `SecurityDisabled` → allow all
+2. `CanPublicRead/Create/Update/Delete` → allow unauthenticated for that operation
+3. Guest (UserID == 0) → return 401
+4. Authenticated → allow (operation-specific `CanUpdate`/`CanDelete` checked in `BeforeUpdate`/`BeforeDelete`)
+
+---
+
 ## Middleware and Handler API
 
 ### NewAuthMiddleware
-Standard middleware that authenticates all requests:
+Standard middleware that authenticates all requests and returns 401 on failure:
 
 ```go
 router.Use(security.NewAuthMiddleware(securityList))
 ```
 
+### NewOptionalAuthMiddleware
+Middleware for spec routes — always continues; sets guest context on auth failure:
+
+```go
+// Use with RegisterSecurityHooks — auth enforcement is deferred to BeforeHandle
+apiRouter.Use(security.NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(securityList))
+apiRouter.Use(security.SetSecurityMiddleware(securityList))
+restheadspec.RegisterSecurityHooks(handler, securityList)  // registers BeforeHandle
+```
+
 Routes can skip authentication using the `SkipAuth` helper:
 
 ```go

pkg/security/hooks.go

@@ -275,6 +275,64 @@ func checkModelDeleteAllowed(secCtx SecurityContext) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// CheckModelAuthAllowed checks whether the requested operation is permitted based on
+// model rules and the current user's authentication state. It is intended for use in
+// a BeforeHandle hook, fired after model resolution.
+//
+// Logic:
+//  1. Load model rules from context (set by NewModelAuthMiddleware) or fall back to registry.
+//  2. SecurityDisabled → allow.
+//  3. operation == "read" && CanPublicRead → allow.
+//  4. operation == "create" && CanPublicCreate → allow.
+//  5. operation == "update" && CanPublicUpdate → allow.
+//  6. operation == "delete" && CanPublicDelete → allow.
+//  7. Guest (UserID == 0) → return "authentication required".
+//  8. Authenticated user → allow (operation-specific checks remain in BeforeUpdate/BeforeDelete).
+func CheckModelAuthAllowed(secCtx SecurityContext, operation string) error {
+	rules, ok := GetModelRulesFromContext(secCtx.GetContext())
+	if !ok {
+		schema := secCtx.GetSchema()
+		entity := secCtx.GetEntity()
+		var err error
+		if schema != "" {
+			rules, err = modelregistry.GetModelRulesByName(fmt.Sprintf("%s.%s", schema, entity))
+		}
+		if err != nil || schema == "" {
+			rules, err = modelregistry.GetModelRulesByName(entity)
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			// Model not registered - fall through to auth check
+			userID, _ := secCtx.GetUserID()
+			if userID == 0 {
+				return fmt.Errorf("authentication required")
+			}
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+
+	if rules.SecurityDisabled {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if operation == "read" && rules.CanPublicRead {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if operation == "create" && rules.CanPublicCreate {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if operation == "update" && rules.CanPublicUpdate {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if operation == "delete" && rules.CanPublicDelete {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	userID, _ := secCtx.GetUserID()
+	if userID == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("authentication required")
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // CheckModelUpdateAllowed is the public wrapper for checkModelUpdateAllowed.
 func CheckModelUpdateAllowed(secCtx SecurityContext) error {
 	return checkModelUpdateAllowed(secCtx)

pkg/security/middleware.go

@@ -139,6 +139,31 @@ func NewOptionalAuthHandler(securityList *SecurityList, next http.Handler) http.
 	})
 }
 
+// NewOptionalAuthMiddleware creates authentication middleware that always continues.
+// On auth failure, a guest user context is set instead of returning 401.
+// Intended for spec routes where auth enforcement is deferred to a BeforeHandle hook
+// after model resolution.
+func NewOptionalAuthMiddleware(securityList *SecurityList) func(http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+		return http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+			provider := securityList.Provider()
+			if provider == nil {
+				http.Error(w, "Security provider not configured", http.StatusInternalServerError)
+				return
+			}
+
+			userCtx, err := provider.Authenticate(r)
+			if err != nil {
+				guestCtx := createGuestContext(r)
+				next.ServeHTTP(w, setUserContext(r, guestCtx))
+				return
+			}
+
+			next.ServeHTTP(w, setUserContext(r, userCtx))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 // NewAuthMiddleware creates an authentication middleware with the given security list
 // This middleware extracts user authentication from the request and adds it to context
 // Routes can skip authentication by setting SkipAuthKey context value (use SkipAuth helper)

pkg/websocketspec/README.md

@@ -330,6 +330,7 @@ Hooks allow you to intercept and modify operations at various points in the life
 
 ### Available Hook Types
 
+- **BeforeHandle** — fires after model resolution, before operation dispatch (auth checks)
 - **BeforeRead** / **AfterRead**
 - **BeforeCreate** / **AfterCreate**
 - **BeforeUpdate** / **AfterUpdate**
@@ -337,6 +338,8 @@ Hooks allow you to intercept and modify operations at various points in the life
 - **BeforeSubscribe** / **AfterSubscribe**
 - **BeforeConnect** / **AfterConnect**
 
+`HookContext` includes `Operation string` (`"read"`, `"create"`, `"update"`, `"delete"`) and `Abort bool`, `AbortMessage string`, `AbortCode int` for abort signaling.
+
 ### Hook Example
 
 ```go
@@ -599,7 +602,19 @@ asyncio.run(main())
 
 ## Authentication
 
-Implement authentication using hooks:
+Use `RegisterSecurityHooks` for integrated auth with model-rule support:
+
+```go
+import "github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/security"
+
+provider := security.NewCompositeSecurityProvider(auth, colSec, rowSec)
+securityList := security.NewSecurityList(provider)
+websocketspec.RegisterSecurityHooks(handler, securityList)
+// Registers BeforeHandle (model auth), BeforeRead (load rules),
+// AfterRead (column security + audit), BeforeUpdate, BeforeDelete
+```
+
+Or implement custom authentication using hooks directly:
 
 ```go
 handler := websocketspec.NewHandlerWithGORM(db)

pkg/websocketspec/handler.go

@@ -177,6 +177,16 @@ func (h *Handler) handleRequest(conn *Connection, msg *Message) {
 		Metadata:   make(map[string]interface{}),
 	}
 
+	// Execute BeforeHandle hook - auth check fires here, after model resolution
+	hookCtx.Operation = string(msg.Operation)
+	if err := h.hooks.Execute(BeforeHandle, hookCtx); err != nil {
+		if hookCtx.Abort {
+			errResp := NewErrorResponse(msg.ID, "unauthorized", hookCtx.AbortMessage)
+			_ = conn.SendJSON(errResp)
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
 	// Route to operation handler
 	switch msg.Operation {
 	case OperationRead:

pkg/websocketspec/hooks.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package websocketspec
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/common"
 )
@@ -10,6 +11,10 @@ import (
 type HookType string
 
 const (
+	// BeforeHandle fires after model resolution, before operation dispatch.
+	// Use this for auth checks that need model rules and user context simultaneously.
+	BeforeHandle HookType = "before_handle"
+
 	// BeforeRead is called before a read operation
 	BeforeRead HookType = "before_read"
 	// AfterRead is called after a read operation
@@ -83,6 +88,9 @@ type HookContext struct {
 	// Options contains the parsed request options
 	Options *common.RequestOptions
 
+	// Operation being dispatched (e.g. "read", "create", "update", "delete")
+	Operation string
+
 	// ID is the record ID for single-record operations
 	ID string
 
@@ -98,6 +106,11 @@ type HookContext struct {
 	// Error is any error that occurred (for after hooks)
 	Error error
 
+	// Allow hooks to abort the operation
+	Abort        bool   // If set to true, the operation will be aborted
+	AbortMessage string // Message to return if aborted
+	AbortCode    int    // HTTP status code if aborted
+
 	// Metadata is additional context data
 	Metadata map[string]interface{}
 }
@@ -171,6 +184,11 @@ func (hr *HookRegistry) Execute(hookType HookType, ctx *HookContext) error {
 		if err := hook(ctx); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+
+		// Check if hook requested abort
+		if ctx.Abort {
+			return fmt.Errorf("operation aborted by hook: %s", ctx.AbortMessage)
+		}
 	}
 
 	return nil

pkg/websocketspec/security_hooks.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package websocketspec
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"net/http"
 
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/logger"
 	"github.com/bitechdev/ResolveSpec/pkg/security"
@@ -9,6 +10,17 @@ import (
 
 // RegisterSecurityHooks registers all security-related hooks with the handler
 func RegisterSecurityHooks(handler *Handler, securityList *security.SecurityList) {
+	// Hook 0: BeforeHandle - enforce auth after model resolution
+	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeHandle, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
+		if err := security.CheckModelAuthAllowed(newSecurityContext(hookCtx), hookCtx.Operation); err != nil {
+			hookCtx.Abort = true
+			hookCtx.AbortMessage = err.Error()
+			hookCtx.AbortCode = http.StatusUnauthorized
+			return err
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
 	// Hook 1: BeforeRead - Load security rules
 	handler.Hooks().Register(BeforeRead, func(hookCtx *HookContext) error {
 		secCtx := newSecurityContext(hookCtx)