Disable local users for a smooth single-idp mode (#5226)

Add LocalAuthDisabled option to embedded IdP configuration

This adds the ability to disable local (email/password) authentication when using the embedded Dex identity provider. When disabled, users can only authenticate via external
identity providers (Google, OIDC, etc.).

This simplifies user login when there is only one external IdP configured. The login page will redirect directly to the IdP login page.

Key changes:

Added LocalAuthDisabled field to EmbeddedIdPConfig
Added methods to check and toggle local auth: IsLocalAuthEnabled, HasNonLocalConnectors, DisableLocalAuth, EnableLocalAuth
Validation prevents disabling local auth if no external connectors are configured
Existing local users are preserved when disabled and can login again when re-enabled
Operations are idempotent (disabling already disabled is a no-op)

idp/dex/connector.go

@@ -327,6 +327,60 @@ func ensureLocalConnector(ctx context.Context, stor storage.Storage) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// HasNonLocalConnectors checks if there are any connectors other than the local connector.
+func (p *Provider) HasNonLocalConnectors(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	connectors, err := p.storage.ListConnectors(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, fmt.Errorf("failed to list connectors: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	p.logger.Info("checking for non-local connectors", "total_connectors", len(connectors))
+	for _, conn := range connectors {
+		p.logger.Info("found connector in storage", "id", conn.ID, "type", conn.Type, "name", conn.Name)
+		if conn.ID != "local" || conn.Type != "local" {
+			p.logger.Info("found non-local connector", "id", conn.ID)
+			return true, nil
+		}
+	}
+	p.logger.Info("no non-local connectors found")
+	return false, nil
+}
+
+// DisableLocalAuth removes the local (password) connector.
+// Returns an error if no other connectors are configured.
+func (p *Provider) DisableLocalAuth(ctx context.Context) error {
+	hasOthers, err := p.HasNonLocalConnectors(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if !hasOthers {
+		return fmt.Errorf("cannot disable local authentication: no other identity providers configured")
+	}
+
+	// Check if local connector exists
+	_, err = p.storage.GetConnector(ctx, "local")
+	if errors.Is(err, storage.ErrNotFound) {
+		// Already disabled
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check local connector: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Delete the local connector
+	if err := p.storage.DeleteConnector(ctx, "local"); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to delete local connector: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	p.logger.Info("local authentication disabled")
+	return nil
+}
+
+// EnableLocalAuth creates the local (password) connector if it doesn't exist.
+func (p *Provider) EnableLocalAuth(ctx context.Context) error {
+	return ensureLocalConnector(ctx, p.storage)
+}
+
 // ensureStaticConnectors creates or updates static connectors in storage
 func ensureStaticConnectors(ctx context.Context, stor storage.Storage, connectors []Connector) error {
 	for _, conn := range connectors {

management/internals/server/modules.go

@@ -69,7 +69,14 @@ func (s *BaseServer) UsersManager() users.Manager {
 func (s *BaseServer) SettingsManager() settings.Manager {
 	return Create(s, func() settings.Manager {
 		extraSettingsManager := integrations.NewManager(s.EventStore())
-		return settings.NewManager(s.Store(), s.UsersManager(), extraSettingsManager, s.PermissionsManager())
+
+		idpConfig := settings.IdpConfig{}
+		if s.Config.EmbeddedIdP != nil && s.Config.EmbeddedIdP.Enabled {
+			idpConfig.EmbeddedIdpEnabled = true
+			idpConfig.LocalAuthDisabled = s.Config.EmbeddedIdP.LocalAuthDisabled
+		}
+
+		return settings.NewManager(s.Store(), s.UsersManager(), extraSettingsManager, s.PermissionsManager(), idpConfig)
 	})
 }
 

management/server/account.go

@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/exp/maps"
 
 	nbdns "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/dns"
-	nbdomain "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/formatter/hook"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/controllers/network_map"
 	nbconfig "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/internals/server/config"
@@ -49,6 +48,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/types"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/management/server/util"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/route"
+	nbdomain "github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/domain"
 	"github.com/netbirdio/netbird/shared/management/status"
 )
 
@@ -795,6 +795,19 @@ func IsEmbeddedIdp(i idp.Manager) bool {
 	return ok
 }
 
+// IsLocalAuthDisabled checks if local (email/password) authentication is disabled.
+// Returns true only when using embedded IDP with local auth disabled in config.
+func IsLocalAuthDisabled(ctx context.Context, i idp.Manager) bool {
+	if isNil(i) {
+		return false
+	}
+	embeddedIdp, ok := i.(*idp.EmbeddedIdPManager)
+	if !ok {
+		return false
+	}
+	return embeddedIdp.IsLocalAuthDisabled()
+}
+
 // addAccountIDToIDPAppMeta update user's  app metadata in idp manager
 func (am *DefaultAccountManager) addAccountIDToIDPAppMeta(ctx context.Context, userID string, accountID string) error {
 	if !isNil(am.idpManager) && !IsEmbeddedIdp(am.idpManager) {

management/server/http/handler.go

@@ -129,14 +129,14 @@ func NewAPIHandler(ctx context.Context, accountManager account.Manager, networks
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("register integrations endpoints: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	// Check if embedded IdP is enabled
+	// Check if embedded IdP is enabled for instance manager
 	embeddedIdP, embeddedIdpEnabled := idpManager.(*idpmanager.EmbeddedIdPManager)
 	instanceManager, err := nbinstance.NewManager(ctx, accountManager.GetStore(), embeddedIdP)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create instance manager: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	accounts.AddEndpoints(accountManager, settingsManager, embeddedIdpEnabled, router)
+	accounts.AddEndpoints(accountManager, settingsManager, router)
 	peers.AddEndpoints(accountManager, router, networkMapController)
 	users.AddEndpoints(accountManager, router)
 	users.AddInvitesEndpoints(accountManager, router)

management/server/http/handlers/accounts/accounts_handler.go

@@ -36,24 +36,22 @@ const (
 
 // handler is a handler that handles the server.Account HTTP endpoints
 type handler struct {
-	accountManager     account.Manager
-	settingsManager    settings.Manager
-	embeddedIdpEnabled bool
+	accountManager  account.Manager
+	settingsManager settings.Manager
 }
 
-func AddEndpoints(accountManager account.Manager, settingsManager settings.Manager, embeddedIdpEnabled bool, router *mux.Router) {
-	accountsHandler := newHandler(accountManager, settingsManager, embeddedIdpEnabled)
+func AddEndpoints(accountManager account.Manager, settingsManager settings.Manager, router *mux.Router) {
+	accountsHandler := newHandler(accountManager, settingsManager)
 	router.HandleFunc("/accounts/{accountId}", accountsHandler.updateAccount).Methods("PUT", "OPTIONS")
 	router.HandleFunc("/accounts/{accountId}", accountsHandler.deleteAccount).Methods("DELETE", "OPTIONS")
 	router.HandleFunc("/accounts", accountsHandler.getAllAccounts).Methods("GET", "OPTIONS")
 }
 
 // newHandler creates a new handler HTTP handler
-func newHandler(accountManager account.Manager, settingsManager settings.Manager, embeddedIdpEnabled bool) *handler {
+func newHandler(accountManager account.Manager, settingsManager settings.Manager) *handler {
 	return &handler{
-		accountManager:     accountManager,
-		settingsManager:    settingsManager,
-		embeddedIdpEnabled: embeddedIdpEnabled,
+		accountManager:  accountManager,
+		settingsManager: settingsManager,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -165,7 +163,7 @@ func (h *handler) getAllAccounts(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	resp := toAccountResponse(accountID, settings, meta, onboarding, h.embeddedIdpEnabled)
+	resp := toAccountResponse(accountID, settings, meta, onboarding)
 	util.WriteJSONObject(r.Context(), w, []*api.Account{resp})
 }
 
@@ -292,7 +290,7 @@ func (h *handler) updateAccount(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	resp := toAccountResponse(accountID, updatedSettings, meta, updatedOnboarding, h.embeddedIdpEnabled)
+	resp := toAccountResponse(accountID, updatedSettings, meta, updatedOnboarding)
 
 	util.WriteJSONObject(r.Context(), w, &resp)
 }
@@ -321,7 +319,7 @@ func (h *handler) deleteAccount(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	util.WriteJSONObject(r.Context(), w, util.EmptyObject{})
 }
 
-func toAccountResponse(accountID string, settings *types.Settings, meta *types.AccountMeta, onboarding *types.AccountOnboarding, embeddedIdpEnabled bool) *api.Account {
+func toAccountResponse(accountID string, settings *types.Settings, meta *types.AccountMeta, onboarding *types.AccountOnboarding) *api.Account {
 	jwtAllowGroups := settings.JWTAllowGroups
 	if jwtAllowGroups == nil {
 		jwtAllowGroups = []string{}
@@ -341,7 +339,8 @@ func toAccountResponse(accountID string, settings *types.Settings, meta *types.A
 		LazyConnectionEnabled:           &settings.LazyConnectionEnabled,
 		DnsDomain:                       &settings.DNSDomain,
 		AutoUpdateVersion:               &settings.AutoUpdateVersion,
-		EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              &embeddedIdpEnabled,
+		EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              &settings.EmbeddedIdpEnabled,
+		LocalAuthDisabled:               &settings.LocalAuthDisabled,
 	}
 
 	if settings.NetworkRange.IsValid() {

management/server/http/handlers/accounts/accounts_handler_test.go

@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ func initAccountsTestData(t *testing.T, account *types.Account) *handler {
 		AnyTimes()
 
 	return &handler{
-		embeddedIdpEnabled: false,
 		accountManager: &mock_server.MockAccountManager{
 			GetAccountSettingsFunc: func(ctx context.Context, accountID string, userID string) (*types.Settings, error) {
 				return account.Settings, nil
@@ -124,6 +123,7 @@ func TestAccounts_AccountsHandler(t *testing.T) {
 				DnsDomain:                       sr(""),
 				AutoUpdateVersion:               sr(""),
 				EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              br(false),
+				LocalAuthDisabled:               br(false),
 			},
 			expectedArray: true,
 			expectedID:    accountID,
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ func TestAccounts_AccountsHandler(t *testing.T) {
 				DnsDomain:                       sr(""),
 				AutoUpdateVersion:               sr(""),
 				EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              br(false),
+				LocalAuthDisabled:               br(false),
 			},
 			expectedArray: false,
 			expectedID:    accountID,
@@ -172,6 +173,7 @@ func TestAccounts_AccountsHandler(t *testing.T) {
 				DnsDomain:                       sr(""),
 				AutoUpdateVersion:               sr("latest"),
 				EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              br(false),
+				LocalAuthDisabled:               br(false),
 			},
 			expectedArray: false,
 			expectedID:    accountID,
@@ -196,6 +198,7 @@ func TestAccounts_AccountsHandler(t *testing.T) {
 				DnsDomain:                       sr(""),
 				AutoUpdateVersion:               sr(""),
 				EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              br(false),
+				LocalAuthDisabled:               br(false),
 			},
 			expectedArray: false,
 			expectedID:    accountID,
@@ -220,6 +223,7 @@ func TestAccounts_AccountsHandler(t *testing.T) {
 				DnsDomain:                       sr(""),
 				AutoUpdateVersion:               sr(""),
 				EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              br(false),
+				LocalAuthDisabled:               br(false),
 			},
 			expectedArray: false,
 			expectedID:    accountID,
@@ -244,6 +248,7 @@ func TestAccounts_AccountsHandler(t *testing.T) {
 				DnsDomain:                       sr(""),
 				AutoUpdateVersion:               sr(""),
 				EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              br(false),
+				LocalAuthDisabled:               br(false),
 			},
 			expectedArray: false,
 			expectedID:    accountID,

management/server/http/handlers/instance/instance_handler.go

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (h *handler) getInstanceStatus(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		util.WriteErrorResponse("failed to check instance status", http.StatusInternalServerError, w)
 		return
 	}
-
+	log.WithContext(r.Context()).Infof("instance setup status: %v", setupRequired)
 	util.WriteJSONObject(r.Context(), w, api.InstanceStatus{
 		SetupRequired: setupRequired,
 	})

management/server/http/handlers/users/invites_handler_test.go

@@ -205,6 +205,14 @@ func TestCreateInvite(t *testing.T) {
 				return nil, status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "invite links are only available with embedded identity provider")
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			name:           "local auth disabled",
+			requestBody:    `{"email":"test@example.com","name":"Test User","role":"user","auto_groups":[]}`,
+			expectedStatus: http.StatusPreconditionFailed,
+			mockFunc: func(ctx context.Context, accountID, initiatorUserID string, invite *types.UserInfo, expiresIn int) (*types.UserInvite, error) {
+				return nil, status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "local user creation is disabled - use an external identity provider")
+			},
+		},
 		{
 			name:           "invalid JSON",
 			requestBody:    `{invalid json}`,
@@ -376,6 +384,15 @@ func TestAcceptInvite(t *testing.T) {
 				return status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "invite links are only available with embedded identity provider")
 			},
 		},
+		{
+			name:           "local auth disabled",
+			token:          testInviteToken,
+			requestBody:    `{"password":"SecurePass123!"}`,
+			expectedStatus: http.StatusPreconditionFailed,
+			mockFunc: func(ctx context.Context, token, password string) error {
+				return status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "local user creation is disabled - use an external identity provider")
+			},
+		},
 		{
 			name:           "missing token",
 			token:          "",

management/server/http/testing/testing_tools/channel/channel.go

@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ func BuildApiBlackBoxWithDBState(t testing_tools.TB, sqlFile string, expectedPee
 	proxyController := integrations.NewController(store)
 	userManager := users.NewManager(store)
 	permissionsManager := permissions.NewManager(store)
-	settingsManager := settings.NewManager(store, userManager, integrations.NewManager(&activity.InMemoryEventStore{}), permissionsManager)
+	settingsManager := settings.NewManager(store, userManager, integrations.NewManager(&activity.InMemoryEventStore{}), permissionsManager, settings.IdpConfig{})
 	peersManager := peers.NewManager(store, permissionsManager)
 
 	jobManager := job.NewJobManager(nil, store, peersManager)

management/server/idp/embedded.go

@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@ type EmbeddedIdPConfig struct {
 	Owner *OwnerConfig
 	// SignKeyRefreshEnabled enables automatic key rotation for signing keys
 	SignKeyRefreshEnabled bool
+	// LocalAuthDisabled disables the local (email/password) authentication connector.
+	// When true, users cannot authenticate via email/password, only via external identity providers.
+	// Existing local users are preserved and will be able to login again if re-enabled.
+	// Cannot be enabled if no external identity provider connectors are configured.
+	LocalAuthDisabled bool
 }
 
 // EmbeddedStorageConfig holds storage configuration for the embedded IdP.
@@ -105,6 +110,8 @@ func (c *EmbeddedIdPConfig) ToYAMLConfig() (*dex.YAMLConfig, error) {
 			Issuer: "NetBird",
 			Theme:  "light",
 		},
+		// Always enable password DB initially - we disable the local connector after startup if needed.
+		// This ensures Dex has at least one connector during initialization.
 		EnablePasswordDB: true,
 		StaticClients: []storage.Client{
 			{
@@ -192,11 +199,32 @@ func NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx context.Context, config *EmbeddedIdPConfig, appMe
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("initializing embedded Dex IDP with config: %+v", config)
+
 	provider, err := dex.NewProviderFromYAML(ctx, yamlConfig)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create embedded IdP provider: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	// If local auth is disabled, validate that other connectors exist
+	if config.LocalAuthDisabled {
+		hasOthers, err := provider.HasNonLocalConnectors(ctx)
+		if err != nil {
+			_ = provider.Stop(ctx)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to check connectors: %w", err)
+		}
+		if !hasOthers {
+			_ = provider.Stop(ctx)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("cannot disable local authentication: no other identity providers configured")
+		}
+		// Ensure local connector is removed (it might exist from a previous run)
+		if err := provider.DisableLocalAuth(ctx); err != nil {
+			_ = provider.Stop(ctx)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to disable local auth: %w", err)
+		}
+		log.WithContext(ctx).Info("local authentication disabled - only external identity providers can be used")
+	}
+
 	log.WithContext(ctx).Infof("embedded Dex IDP initialized with issuer: %s", yamlConfig.Issuer)
 
 	return &EmbeddedIdPManager{
@@ -281,6 +309,8 @@ func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) GetAllAccounts(ctx context.Context) (map[string][]*
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to list users: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("retrieved %d users from embedded IdP", len(users))
+
 	indexedUsers := make(map[string][]*UserData)
 	for _, user := range users {
 		indexedUsers[UnsetAccountID] = append(indexedUsers[UnsetAccountID], &UserData{
@@ -290,11 +320,17 @@ func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) GetAllAccounts(ctx context.Context) (map[string][]*
 		})
 	}
 
+	log.WithContext(ctx).Debugf("retrieved %d users from embedded IdP", len(indexedUsers[UnsetAccountID]))
+
 	return indexedUsers, nil
 }
 
 // CreateUser creates a new user in the embedded IdP.
 func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) CreateUser(ctx context.Context, email, name, accountID, invitedByEmail string) (*UserData, error) {
+	if m.config.LocalAuthDisabled {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("local user creation is disabled")
+	}
+
 	if m.appMetrics != nil {
 		m.appMetrics.IDPMetrics().CountCreateUser()
 	}
@@ -364,6 +400,10 @@ func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) GetUserByEmail(ctx context.Context, email string) (
 // Unlike CreateUser which auto-generates a password, this method uses the provided password.
 // This is useful for instance setup where the user provides their own password.
 func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) CreateUserWithPassword(ctx context.Context, email, password, name string) (*UserData, error) {
+	if m.config.LocalAuthDisabled {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("local user creation is disabled")
+	}
+
 	if m.appMetrics != nil {
 		m.appMetrics.IDPMetrics().CountCreateUser()
 	}
@@ -553,3 +593,13 @@ func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) GetClientIDs() []string {
 func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) GetUserIDClaim() string {
 	return defaultUserIDClaim
 }
+
+// IsLocalAuthDisabled returns whether local authentication is disabled based on configuration.
+func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) IsLocalAuthDisabled() bool {
+	return m.config.LocalAuthDisabled
+}
+
+// HasNonLocalConnectors checks if there are any identity provider connectors other than local.
+func (m *EmbeddedIdPManager) HasNonLocalConnectors(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	return m.provider.HasNonLocalConnectors(ctx)
+}

management/server/idp/embedded_test.go

@@ -370,3 +370,234 @@ func TestEmbeddedIdPManager_GetLocalKeysLocation(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+func TestEmbeddedIdPManager_LocalAuthDisabled(t *testing.T) {
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	t.Run("cannot start with local auth disabled without other connectors", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "embedded-idp-test-*")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
+
+		config := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled:           true,
+			Issuer:            "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			LocalAuthDisabled: true,
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dex.db"),
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		_, err = NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config, nil)
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "no other identity providers configured")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("local auth enabled by default", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "embedded-idp-test-*")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
+
+		config := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled: true,
+			Issuer:  "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dex.db"),
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		manager, err := NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer func() { _ = manager.Stop(ctx) }()
+
+		// Verify local auth is enabled by default
+		assert.False(t, manager.IsLocalAuthDisabled())
+	})
+
+	t.Run("start with local auth disabled when connector exists", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "embedded-idp-test-*")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
+
+		dbFile := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dex.db")
+
+		// First, create a manager with local auth enabled and add a connector
+		config1 := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled: true,
+			Issuer:  "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: dbFile,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		manager1, err := NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config1, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Create a user
+		userData, err := manager1.CreateUser(ctx, "preserved@example.com", "Preserved User", "account1", "admin@example.com")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		userID := userData.ID
+
+		// Add an external connector (Google doesn't require OIDC discovery)
+		_, err = manager1.CreateConnector(ctx, &dex.ConnectorConfig{
+			ID:           "google-test",
+			Name:         "Google Test",
+			Type:         "google",
+			ClientID:     "test-client-id",
+			ClientSecret: "test-client-secret",
+		})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Stop the first manager
+		err = manager1.Stop(ctx)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Now create a new manager with local auth disabled
+		config2 := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled:           true,
+			Issuer:            "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			LocalAuthDisabled: true,
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: dbFile,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		manager2, err := NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config2, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer func() { _ = manager2.Stop(ctx) }()
+
+		// Verify local auth is disabled via config
+		assert.True(t, manager2.IsLocalAuthDisabled())
+
+		// Verify the user still exists in storage (just can't login via local)
+		lookedUp, err := manager2.GetUserDataByID(ctx, userID, AppMetadata{})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assert.Equal(t, "preserved@example.com", lookedUp.Email)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CreateUser fails when local auth is disabled", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "embedded-idp-test-*")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
+
+		dbFile := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dex.db")
+
+		// First, create a manager and add an external connector
+		config1 := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled: true,
+			Issuer:  "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: dbFile,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		manager1, err := NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config1, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = manager1.CreateConnector(ctx, &dex.ConnectorConfig{
+			ID:           "google-test",
+			Name:         "Google Test",
+			Type:         "google",
+			ClientID:     "test-client-id",
+			ClientSecret: "test-client-secret",
+		})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		err = manager1.Stop(ctx)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Create manager with local auth disabled
+		config2 := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled:           true,
+			Issuer:            "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			LocalAuthDisabled: true,
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: dbFile,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		manager2, err := NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config2, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer func() { _ = manager2.Stop(ctx) }()
+
+		// Try to create a user - should fail
+		_, err = manager2.CreateUser(ctx, "newuser@example.com", "New User", "account1", "admin@example.com")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "local user creation is disabled")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("CreateUserWithPassword fails when local auth is disabled", func(t *testing.T) {
+		tmpDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "embedded-idp-test-*")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
+
+		dbFile := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "dex.db")
+
+		// First, create a manager and add an external connector
+		config1 := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled: true,
+			Issuer:  "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: dbFile,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		manager1, err := NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config1, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		_, err = manager1.CreateConnector(ctx, &dex.ConnectorConfig{
+			ID:           "google-test",
+			Name:         "Google Test",
+			Type:         "google",
+			ClientID:     "test-client-id",
+			ClientSecret: "test-client-secret",
+		})
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		err = manager1.Stop(ctx)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		// Create manager with local auth disabled
+		config2 := &EmbeddedIdPConfig{
+			Enabled:           true,
+			Issuer:            "http://localhost:5556/dex",
+			LocalAuthDisabled: true,
+			Storage: EmbeddedStorageConfig{
+				Type: "sqlite3",
+				Config: EmbeddedStorageTypeConfig{
+					File: dbFile,
+				},
+			},
+		}
+
+		manager2, err := NewEmbeddedIdPManager(ctx, config2, nil)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		defer func() { _ = manager2.Stop(ctx) }()
+
+		// Try to create a user with password - should fail
+		_, err = manager2.CreateUserWithPassword(ctx, "newuser@example.com", "SecurePass123!", "New User")
+		require.Error(t, err)
+		assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), "local user creation is disabled")
+	})
+}

management/server/instance/manager.go

@@ -104,13 +104,22 @@ func NewManager(ctx context.Context, store store.Store, idpManager idp.Manager)
 }
 
 func (m *DefaultManager) loadSetupRequired(ctx context.Context) error {
+	// Check if there are any accounts in the NetBird store
+	numAccounts, err := m.store.GetAccountsCounter(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	hasAccounts := numAccounts > 0
+
+	// Check if there are any users in the embedded IdP (Dex)
 	users, err := m.embeddedIdpManager.GetAllAccounts(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	hasLocalUsers := len(users) > 0
 
 	m.setupMu.Lock()
-	m.setupRequired = len(users) == 0
+	m.setupRequired = !(hasAccounts || hasLocalUsers)
 	m.setupMu.Unlock()
 
 	return nil

management/server/settings/manager.go

@@ -24,19 +24,28 @@ type Manager interface {
 	UpdateExtraSettings(ctx context.Context, accountID, userID string, extraSettings *types.ExtraSettings) (bool, error)
 }
 
+// IdpConfig holds IdP-related configuration that is set at runtime
+// and not stored in the database.
+type IdpConfig struct {
+	EmbeddedIdpEnabled bool
+	LocalAuthDisabled  bool
+}
+
 type managerImpl struct {
 	store                store.Store
 	extraSettingsManager extra_settings.Manager
 	userManager          users.Manager
 	permissionsManager   permissions.Manager
+	idpConfig            IdpConfig
 }
 
-func NewManager(store store.Store, userManager users.Manager, extraSettingsManager extra_settings.Manager, permissionsManager permissions.Manager) Manager {
+func NewManager(store store.Store, userManager users.Manager, extraSettingsManager extra_settings.Manager, permissionsManager permissions.Manager, idpConfig IdpConfig) Manager {
 	return &managerImpl{
 		store:                store,
 		extraSettingsManager: extraSettingsManager,
 		userManager:          userManager,
 		permissionsManager:   permissionsManager,
+		idpConfig:            idpConfig,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -74,6 +83,10 @@ func (m *managerImpl) GetSettings(ctx context.Context, accountID, userID string)
 		settings.Extra.FlowDnsCollectionEnabled = extraSettings.FlowDnsCollectionEnabled
 	}
 
+	// Fill in IdP-related runtime settings
+	settings.EmbeddedIdpEnabled = m.idpConfig.EmbeddedIdpEnabled
+	settings.LocalAuthDisabled = m.idpConfig.LocalAuthDisabled
+
 	return settings, nil
 }
 

management/server/types/settings.go

@@ -55,6 +55,14 @@ type Settings struct {
 
 	// AutoUpdateVersion client auto-update version
 	AutoUpdateVersion string `gorm:"default:'disabled'"`
+
+	// EmbeddedIdpEnabled indicates if the embedded identity provider is enabled.
+	// This is a runtime-only field, not stored in the database.
+	EmbeddedIdpEnabled bool `gorm:"-"`
+
+	// LocalAuthDisabled indicates if local (email/password) authentication is disabled.
+	// This is a runtime-only field, not stored in the database.
+	LocalAuthDisabled bool `gorm:"-"`
 }
 
 // Copy copies the Settings struct
@@ -76,6 +84,8 @@ func (s *Settings) Copy() *Settings {
 		DNSDomain:                       s.DNSDomain,
 		NetworkRange:                    s.NetworkRange,
 		AutoUpdateVersion:               s.AutoUpdateVersion,
+		EmbeddedIdpEnabled:              s.EmbeddedIdpEnabled,
+		LocalAuthDisabled:               s.LocalAuthDisabled,
 	}
 	if s.Extra != nil {
 		settings.Extra = s.Extra.Copy()

management/server/user.go

@@ -191,6 +191,10 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) createNewIdpUser(ctx context.Context, accountID
 // Unlike createNewIdpUser, this method fetches user data directly from the database
 // since the embedded IdP usage ensures the username and email are stored locally in the User table.
 func (am *DefaultAccountManager) createEmbeddedIdpUser(ctx context.Context, accountID string, inviterID string, invite *types.UserInfo) (*idp.UserData, error) {
+	if IsLocalAuthDisabled(ctx, am.idpManager) {
+		return nil, status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "local user creation is disabled - use an external identity provider")
+	}
+
 	inviter, err := am.Store.GetUserByUserID(ctx, store.LockingStrengthNone, inviterID)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get inviter user: %w", err)
@@ -1462,6 +1466,10 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) CreateUserInvite(ctx context.Context, accountID
 		return nil, status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "invite links are only available with embedded identity provider")
 	}
 
+	if IsLocalAuthDisabled(ctx, am.idpManager) {
+		return nil, status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "local user creation is disabled - use an external identity provider")
+	}
+
 	if err := validateUserInvite(invite); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -1621,6 +1629,10 @@ func (am *DefaultAccountManager) AcceptUserInvite(ctx context.Context, token, pa
 		return status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "invite links are only available with embedded identity provider")
 	}
 
+	if IsLocalAuthDisabled(ctx, am.idpManager) {
+		return status.Errorf(status.PreconditionFailed, "local user creation is disabled - use an external identity provider")
+	}
+
 	if password == "" {
 		return status.Errorf(status.InvalidArgument, "password is required")
 	}

shared/management/http/api/openapi.yml

@@ -294,6 +294,11 @@ components:
           type: boolean
           readOnly: true
           example: false
+        local_auth_disabled:
+          description: Indicates whether local (email/password) authentication is disabled. When true, users can only authenticate via external identity providers. This is a read-only field.
+          type: boolean
+          readOnly: true
+          example: false
       required:
         - peer_login_expiration_enabled
         - peer_login_expiration

shared/management/http/api/types.gen.go

@@ -415,6 +415,9 @@ type AccountSettings struct {
 	// LazyConnectionEnabled Enables or disables experimental lazy connection
 	LazyConnectionEnabled *bool `json:"lazy_connection_enabled,omitempty"`
 
+	// LocalAuthDisabled Indicates whether local (email/password) authentication is disabled. When true, users can only authenticate via external identity providers. This is a read-only field.
+	LocalAuthDisabled *bool `json:"local_auth_disabled,omitempty"`
+
 	// NetworkRange Allows to define a custom network range for the account in CIDR format
 	NetworkRange *string `json:"network_range,omitempty"`