I started with the basics, POST request, credentials in the body, server validates against a hashed password in the DB, returns a token.
Start by clarifying the requirements and constraints of the login endpoint, then walk through the design from a user experience and product perspective, covering authentication methods, security, scalability, and trade-offs. Emphasize how the design aligns with Google's product ecosystem and user expectations.
Pro tip: Show that you understand the balance between security and user friction, and mention how you would measure success through metrics like login success rate and time-to-login.
Ask questions to understand the scope: expected scale, supported authentication methods, compliance needs, and integration with existing systems.
Outline the step-by-step user experience from entering credentials to receiving a session token, including error handling and recovery paths.
Specify the endpoint URL, HTTP methods, request/response formats, status codes, and versioning strategy.
Discuss security measures like rate limiting, encryption, and token management, and how the design scales horizontally.
Compare design choices (e.g., OAuth vs. traditional login) and define success metrics to guide iterations.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.