Row Level Security (RLS)
Database security that filters which rows users can see based on their identity or role, letting you share the same table with different people safely.
What is Row Level Security (RLS)?
Row Level Security (RLS) is a database feature that automatically filters table rows based on who's accessing them.
Instead of creating separate tables or views for different users, you write a policy once that says "sales reps only see their own region's data" or "managers see their team's records." The database enforces this invisibly on every query.
Most builders use RLS in PostgreSQL, Supabase, or Power BI to build multi-tenant SaaS apps where customers share infrastructure but can't see each other's data. It's cleaner than filtering in application code because you can't accidentally forget to add the WHERE clause.
Free in PostgreSQL and Supabase. SQL Server and Oracle have it built-in. Some BI tools like Power BI include it for report-level security.
Good to Know
Filters table rows automatically based on user identity or role
Enforced at the database level, not in application code
Perfect for multi-tenant SaaS where customers share the same tables
Supported natively in PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, and Supabase
Policies are written once and apply to all queries automatically
How Vibe Coders Use Row Level Security (RLS)
Building a SaaS app where Company A and Company B share the same users table but can't see each other's records
Letting sales reps access only their region's deals without writing region filters in every API endpoint
Showing managers their team's data in a dashboard while executives see everything
Restricting customer support agents to only view tickets they're assigned to
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Terms
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A way for apps to receive instant updates when data changes, without constantly asking the server if anything's new.
A set of rules that lets different software programs talk to each other and share data or functionality.
A unique string that authenticates your app when it calls an API, like a password that identifies who's making the request.
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