ruby script/plugin install http://svn.ariejan.net/plugins/super_simple_authentication

When the plugin is installed, you may generate your SSA controller. This controller verifies your password and makes sure you stay authenticated for the duration of your visit.

script/generate super_simple_authentication sessions

Your password is located in config/super_simple_authentication.yml. Change it.

In the SessionsController, you'll find an include statement. Move this include to your application controller.

The generator automatically added routes to your config/routes.rb file. If you want easy access to login and logout functionality, add these two lines to your config/routes.rb file as well:

map.login  '/login',  :controller => 'sessions', :action => 'new'
map.logout '/logout', :controller => 'sessions', :action => 'destroy', :method => :delete

Usage
-----

You can now protect you actions and controllers with a before_filter:

# Protect all actions in the controller
before_filter :authorization_required

# Protect all actions, except :index and :recent
before_filter :authorization_required, :except => [:index, :recent]

# Protect only :destroy
before_filter :authorization_required, :only => :destroy

In your views, you can check if you are authorized or not with authorized? E.g.

<% if authorized? %>
    # ... do secret admin stuff
<% end %>

There is currently no advanced documentation for this plugin.