diff --git a/.traefik.yml b/.traefik.yml
index f4d8e52..216e3f6 100644
--- a/.traefik.yml
+++ b/.traefik.yml
@@ -23,6 +23,19 @@ testData:
   providerURL: https://accounts.google.com
   clientID: 1234567890.apps.googleusercontent.com
   clientSecret: your-client-secret
+  # Alternative: RFC 7523 private_key_jwt client authentication (Entra ID,
+  # Okta, Auth0, Keycloak). Replaces clientSecret with a signed JWT assertion.
+  # See README "Client authentication via private key JWT".
+  # clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt
+  # clientAssertionKeyID: my-key-2026
+  # clientAssertionAlg: RS256             # default; or PS256/384/512, ES256/384/512
+  # # File path option:
+  # clientAssertionKeyPath: /etc/traefik/oidc/client-key.pem
+  # # Or inline PEM (PKCS#8 / PKCS#1 / SEC1):
+  # clientAssertionPrivateKey: |
+  #   -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
+  #   MIIEvQIBADANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAASCBKcwggSjAgEAAoIBAQDexampleexample
+  #   -----END PRIVATE KEY-----
   sessionEncryptionKey: potato-secret-is-at-least-32-bytes-long
   callbackURL: /oauth2/callback
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 92aafdf..61d8c03 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ More example configs in [`examples/`](examples/).
 |-----------|-------------|
 | `providerURL` | Issuer URL (used for OIDC discovery). |
 | `clientID` | OAuth 2.0 client ID. |
-| `clientSecret` | OAuth 2.0 client secret. Supports `urn:k8s:secret:ns:name:key`. |
+| `clientSecret` | OAuth 2.0 client secret. Supports `urn:k8s:secret:ns:name:key`. Required when `clientAuthMethod` is unset, `client_secret_post`, or `client_secret_basic`; optional with `private_key_jwt`. |
 | `sessionEncryptionKey` | Cookie encryption key, **min 32 bytes**. |
 | `callbackURL` | Callback path, e.g. `/oauth2/callback`. |
 
@@ -133,6 +133,11 @@ Full reference in [docs/CONFIGURATION.md](docs/CONFIGURATION.md).
 | `stripAuthCookies` | `false` | Strip OIDC cookies from backend hop (mitigates HTTP 431). |
 | `caCertPath` / `caCertPEM` | none | Trust an internal CA for the provider's TLS. |
 | `insecureSkipVerify` | `false` | **Local dev only.** Disables TLS verification, logs a security warning. |
+| `clientAuthMethod` | `client_secret_post` | Client auth method. Set `private_key_jwt` for RFC 7523 JWT assertions (Entra ID, Okta, Auth0, Keycloak). See [Client authentication via private key JWT](#client-authentication-via-private-key-jwt). |
+| `clientAssertionPrivateKey` | none | Inline PEM private key for `private_key_jwt`. Mutually exclusive with `clientAssertionKeyPath`. |
+| `clientAssertionKeyPath` | none | File path to PEM private key for `private_key_jwt`. |
+| `clientAssertionKeyID` | none | JWS `kid` header. Required when `clientAuthMethod=private_key_jwt`; must match the public key registered with the IdP. |
+| `clientAssertionAlg` | `RS256` | JWS alg for `private_key_jwt`. Supported: `RS256/384/512`, `PS256/384/512`, `ES256/384/512`. |
 | `enableBackchannelLogout` / `backchannelLogoutURL` | `false` / none | OIDC Back-Channel Logout (server-to-server). |
 | `enableFrontchannelLogout` / `frontchannelLogoutURL` | `false` / none | OIDC Front-Channel Logout (iframe). |
 | `redis` | disabled | See [docs/REDIS.md](docs/REDIS.md). |
@@ -213,6 +218,44 @@ caCertPEM: |
 Both can be combined. An unparseable bundle fails the plugin at startup.
 See [#125](https://github.com/lukaszraczylo/traefikoidc/issues/125).
 
+### Client authentication via private key JWT
+
+Use when your IdP enforces short-lived secrets or pushes secretless client auth
+— Microsoft Entra ID / Azure AD, Okta, Auth0, Keycloak. Instead of sending a
+static `clientSecret`, the plugin signs a short-lived JWT and submits it as
+`client_assertion` per [RFC 7523](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7523).
+
+Minimal config:
+
+```yaml
+clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt
+clientAssertionKeyPath: /etc/traefik/oidc/client-key.pem
+clientAssertionKeyID: my-key-2026
+# clientAssertionAlg: RS256   # default; or PS256/384/512, ES256/384/512
+```
+
+Or inline:
+
+```yaml
+clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt
+clientAssertionPrivateKey: |
+  -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
+  ...
+  -----END PRIVATE KEY-----
+clientAssertionKeyID: my-key-2026
+```
+
+Accepted PEM forms: PKCS#8 (`PRIVATE KEY`), PKCS#1 (`RSA PRIVATE KEY`), SEC1
+(`EC PRIVATE KEY`). The assertion uses `iss=sub=clientID`, `aud=tokenURL`, 60s
+lifetime, random hex `jti` per request. Sent on `/token` (auth-code + refresh)
+and `/revoke`. The `kid` must match the public key registered with the IdP.
+
+`clientSecret` becomes optional with `private_key_jwt`. Existing
+`client_secret_post` setups are unaffected. Keys are parsed once at startup —
+rotation requires a Traefik reload.
+
+See [issue #135](https://github.com/lukaszraczylo/traefikoidc/issues/135).
+
 ### Environment variable names containing `API`
 
 Traefik reserves `TRAEFIK_API_*`. User vars whose name contains `API` (e.g.
diff --git a/client_assertion.go b/client_assertion.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cbfd253
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client_assertion.go
@@ -0,0 +1,295 @@
+package traefikoidc
+
+import (
+	"crypto"
+	"crypto/ecdsa"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"crypto/rsa"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"crypto/sha512"
+	"crypto/x509"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/hex"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"encoding/pem"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"math/big"
+	"os"
+	"time"
+)
+
+// isSupportedClientAssertionAlg reports whether alg is a recognized JWS
+// algorithm for private_key_jwt (RFC 7523 §2.2).
+func isSupportedClientAssertionAlg(alg string) bool {
+	switch alg {
+	case "RS256", "RS384", "RS512",
+		"PS256", "PS384", "PS512",
+		"ES256", "ES384", "ES512":
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// ClientAssertionSigner builds and signs client_assertion JWTs (RFC 7523 §2.2).
+type ClientAssertionSigner struct {
+	key crypto.PrivateKey
+	alg string
+	kid string
+	// rand is the entropy source for jti generation and PSS/ECDSA signing.
+	// Defaults to crypto/rand.Reader when nil.
+	rand io.Reader
+	// now returns the current time. Defaults to time.Now when nil.
+	now func() time.Time
+}
+
+// NewClientAssertionSigner parses pemBytes as a private key, validates that
+// alg is consistent with the key type, and returns a ready-to-use signer.
+// kid is placed verbatim in the JWS header.
+//
+// PEM block types understood:
+//   - "PRIVATE KEY"     → PKCS#8 (tried first for all types)
+//   - "RSA PRIVATE KEY" → PKCS#1
+//   - "EC PRIVATE KEY"  → SEC1
+func NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes []byte, alg, kid string) (*ClientAssertionSigner, error) {
+	if !isSupportedClientAssertionAlg(alg) {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported client assertion alg %q", alg)
+	}
+	if kid == "" {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("kid must not be empty")
+	}
+
+	block, _ := pem.Decode(pemBytes)
+	if block == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no PEM block found in private key material")
+	}
+
+	var key crypto.PrivateKey
+	var parseErr error
+
+	switch block.Type {
+	case "PRIVATE KEY":
+		key, parseErr = x509.ParsePKCS8PrivateKey(block.Bytes)
+	case "RSA PRIVATE KEY":
+		key, parseErr = x509.ParsePKCS1PrivateKey(block.Bytes)
+	case "EC PRIVATE KEY":
+		key, parseErr = x509.ParseECPrivateKey(block.Bytes)
+	default:
+		// Best-effort fallback for unknown block types.
+		key, parseErr = x509.ParsePKCS8PrivateKey(block.Bytes)
+	}
+	if parseErr != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse private key (block type %q): %w", block.Type, parseErr)
+	}
+
+	if err := validateAlgKeyMatch(alg, key); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return &ClientAssertionSigner{key: key, alg: alg, kid: kid}, nil
+}
+
+// validateAlgKeyMatch returns an error when alg implies a key type that does
+// not match the actual key.
+func validateAlgKeyMatch(alg string, key crypto.PrivateKey) error {
+	switch alg[0] {
+	case 'R', 'P': // RS* or PS*
+		if _, ok := key.(*rsa.PrivateKey); !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("alg %q requires an RSA key, got %T", alg, key)
+		}
+	case 'E': // ES*
+		if _, ok := key.(*ecdsa.PrivateKey); !ok {
+			return fmt.Errorf("alg %q requires an EC key, got %T", alg, key)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// Sign constructs and returns a signed client_assertion JWT.
+// audience is typically the token endpoint URL (RFC 7523 §3).
+// clientID is used as both iss and sub per RFC 7523 §2.2.
+func (s *ClientAssertionSigner) Sign(audience, clientID string) (string, error) {
+	rander := s.rand
+	if rander == nil {
+		rander = rand.Reader
+	}
+	nowFn := s.now
+	if nowFn == nil {
+		nowFn = time.Now
+	}
+
+	now := nowFn()
+
+	// 16 random bytes as lowercase hex for jti uniqueness.
+	jtiBytes := make([]byte, 16)
+	if _, err := io.ReadFull(rander, jtiBytes); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to generate jti: %w", err)
+	}
+	jti := hex.EncodeToString(jtiBytes)
+
+	header := map[string]string{
+		"alg": s.alg,
+		"typ": "JWT",
+		"kid": s.kid,
+	}
+	hdrJSON, err := json.Marshal(header)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal JWT header: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	claims := map[string]any{
+		"iss": clientID,
+		"sub": clientID,
+		"aud": audience,
+		"jti": jti,
+		"iat": now.Unix(),
+		"exp": now.Add(60 * time.Second).Unix(),
+	}
+	claimsJSON, err := json.Marshal(claims)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to marshal JWT claims: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	hdrB64 := base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(hdrJSON)
+	claimsB64 := base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(claimsJSON)
+	signingInput := hdrB64 + "." + claimsB64
+
+	sig, err := s.sign(rander, []byte(signingInput))
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return signingInput + "." + base64.RawURLEncoding.EncodeToString(sig), nil
+}
+
+// sign computes raw signature bytes for signingInput per s.alg.
+// validateAlgKeyMatch in NewClientAssertionSigner guarantees the key type
+// matches s.alg, but the comma-ok asserts here keep errcheck happy and
+// surface internal misuse loudly instead of via panic.
+func (s *ClientAssertionSigner) sign(rander io.Reader, input []byte) ([]byte, error) {
+	switch s.alg {
+	case "RS256", "RS384", "RS512", "PS256", "PS384", "PS512":
+		rsaKey, ok := s.key.(*rsa.PrivateKey)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("internal: alg %q requires *rsa.PrivateKey, got %T", s.alg, s.key)
+		}
+		hash := rsaHashForAlg(s.alg)
+		digest := hashSum(hash, input)
+		if s.alg[0] == 'R' {
+			return signRSAPKCS1v15(rander, rsaKey, hash, digest)
+		}
+		return signRSAPSS(rander, rsaKey, hash, digest)
+	case "ES256", "ES384", "ES512":
+		ecKey, ok := s.key.(*ecdsa.PrivateKey)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("internal: alg %q requires *ecdsa.PrivateKey, got %T", s.alg, s.key)
+		}
+		hash := ecHashForAlg(s.alg)
+		digest := hashSum(hash, input)
+		return signECDSA(rander, ecKey, digest)
+	}
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("unhandled alg %q", s.alg)
+}
+
+func rsaHashForAlg(alg string) crypto.Hash {
+	switch alg {
+	case "RS256", "PS256":
+		return crypto.SHA256
+	case "RS384", "PS384":
+		return crypto.SHA384
+	case "RS512", "PS512":
+		return crypto.SHA512
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+func ecHashForAlg(alg string) crypto.Hash {
+	switch alg {
+	case "ES256":
+		return crypto.SHA256
+	case "ES384":
+		return crypto.SHA384
+	case "ES512":
+		return crypto.SHA512
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
+func hashSum(h crypto.Hash, input []byte) []byte {
+	switch h {
+	case crypto.SHA256:
+		sum := sha256.Sum256(input)
+		return sum[:]
+	case crypto.SHA384:
+		sum := sha512.Sum384(input)
+		return sum[:]
+	case crypto.SHA512:
+		sum := sha512.Sum512(input)
+		return sum[:]
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func signRSAPKCS1v15(rander io.Reader, key *rsa.PrivateKey, hash crypto.Hash, digest []byte) ([]byte, error) {
+	sig, err := rsa.SignPKCS1v15(rander, key, hash, digest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("RSA PKCS1v15 signing failed: %w", err)
+	}
+	return sig, nil
+}
+
+func signRSAPSS(rander io.Reader, key *rsa.PrivateKey, hash crypto.Hash, digest []byte) ([]byte, error) {
+	opts := &rsa.PSSOptions{SaltLength: rsa.PSSSaltLengthEqualsHash, Hash: hash}
+	sig, err := rsa.SignPSS(rander, key, hash, digest, opts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("RSA PSS signing failed: %w", err)
+	}
+	return sig, nil
+}
+
+// signECDSA produces the JWS raw r||s signature (RFC 7515 App. A.3).
+// Each scalar is zero-padded to (curve.BitSize+7)/8 bytes.
+func signECDSA(rander io.Reader, key *ecdsa.PrivateKey, digest []byte) ([]byte, error) {
+	r, ss, err := ecdsa.Sign(rander, key, digest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("ECDSA signing failed: %w", err)
+	}
+	byteLen := (key.Curve.Params().BitSize + 7) / 8
+	sig := make([]byte, 2*byteLen)
+	padBigInt(sig[0:byteLen], r)
+	padBigInt(sig[byteLen:], ss)
+	return sig, nil
+}
+
+// padBigInt writes n as a fixed-width big-endian integer into buf.
+func padBigInt(buf []byte, n *big.Int) {
+	b := n.Bytes()
+	copy(buf[len(buf)-len(b):], b)
+}
+
+// buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig loads key material and constructs a
+// ClientAssertionSigner. Called from NewWithContext when
+// ClientAuthMethod == "private_key_jwt".
+func buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig(config *Config) (*ClientAssertionSigner, error) {
+	var pemBytes []byte
+
+	if config.ClientAssertionPrivateKey != "" {
+		pemBytes = []byte(config.ClientAssertionPrivateKey)
+	} else {
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(config.ClientAssertionKeyPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("read clientAssertionKeyPath %q: %w", config.ClientAssertionKeyPath, err)
+		}
+		pemBytes = data
+	}
+
+	alg := config.ClientAssertionAlg
+	if alg == "" {
+		alg = "RS256"
+	}
+
+	return NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, alg, config.ClientAssertionKeyID)
+}
+
+
+
diff --git a/docs/CONFIGURATION.md b/docs/CONFIGURATION.md
index fa516aa..6a2697b 100644
--- a/docs/CONFIGURATION.md
+++ b/docs/CONFIGURATION.md
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ Complete reference for all Traefik OIDC middleware configuration options.
 ## Table of Contents
 
 - [Required Parameters](#required-parameters)
+- [Client Authentication](#client-authentication)
 - [Optional Parameters](#optional-parameters)
 - [Security Options](#security-options)
 - [Session Management](#session-management)
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ Complete reference for all Traefik OIDC middleware configuration options.
 |-----------|------|-------------|---------|
 | `providerURL` | string | Base URL of the OIDC provider | `https://accounts.google.com` |
 | `clientID` | string | OAuth 2.0 client identifier | `1234567890.apps.googleusercontent.com` |
-| `clientSecret` | string | OAuth 2.0 client secret | `your-client-secret` |
+| `clientSecret` | string | OAuth 2.0 client secret. Required when `clientAuthMethod` is unset, `client_secret_post`, or `client_secret_basic`. Optional when `clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt`. | `your-client-secret` |
 | `sessionEncryptionKey` | string | Key for encrypting session data (min 32 bytes) | `your-32-byte-encryption-key-here` |
 | `callbackURL` | string | Path where provider redirects after authentication | `/oauth2/callback` |
 
@@ -45,6 +46,129 @@ spec:
 
 ---
 
+## Client Authentication
+
+The middleware supports three client authentication methods at the token and
+revocation endpoints. The default is `client_secret_post` (current behavior);
+`private_key_jwt` is opt-in and backwards compatible.
+
+| Method | Default | Description |
+|--------|---------|-------------|
+| `client_secret_post` | yes | `client_id` + `client_secret` in the request body. |
+| `client_secret_basic` | no | RFC 6749 §2.3.1 — `client_id` + `client_secret` in the `Authorization: Basic` header (form-urlencoded then base64); not in the body. |
+| `private_key_jwt` | no | RFC 7523 §2.2 — plugin signs a short-lived JWT with a private key and sends it as `client_assertion`. |
+
+Select via `clientAuthMethod`:
+
+```yaml
+clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt
+```
+
+### client_secret_post
+
+Default. The plugin sends `client_id` and `client_secret` as form parameters
+in the token / revocation request body. No additional configuration required.
+
+### private_key_jwt
+
+Asymmetric client authentication per
+[RFC 7523 §2.2](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7523). Use this when your
+IdP enforces short secret TTLs, when policy mandates secretless clients, or
+when you want to avoid distributing a shared secret to the proxy.
+
+For each token / revocation request the plugin builds a JWS with:
+
+- `iss` = `sub` = `clientID`
+- `aud` = token endpoint URL
+- `iat` = now, `exp` = now + 60s
+- `jti` = random hex per request
+- `kid` header = `clientAssertionKeyID`
+
+**Required fields:**
+
+| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
+|-----------|------|---------|-------------|
+| `clientAuthMethod` | string | `client_secret_post` | Set to `private_key_jwt`. |
+| `clientAssertionPrivateKey` | string | none | Inline PEM private key. Mutually exclusive with `clientAssertionKeyPath`. PKCS#8, PKCS#1, and SEC1 formats accepted. |
+| `clientAssertionKeyPath` | string | none | Path to PEM private key on disk. Mutually exclusive with `clientAssertionPrivateKey`. |
+| `clientAssertionKeyID` | string | none | `kid` header inserted in the JWS. Must match the public key registered with the IdP. |
+| `clientAssertionAlg` | string | `RS256` | One of `RS256`, `RS384`, `RS512`, `PS256`, `PS384`, `PS512`, `ES256`, `ES384`, `ES512`. |
+
+When `clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt`, `clientSecret` is optional.
+
+**Example — inline PEM:**
+
+```yaml
+apiVersion: traefik.io/v1alpha1
+kind: Middleware
+metadata:
+  name: oidc-auth
+spec:
+  plugin:
+    traefikoidc:
+      providerURL: https://idp.example.com
+      clientID: my-client-id
+      sessionEncryptionKey: your-32-byte-encryption-key-here
+      callbackURL: /oauth2/callback
+      clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt
+      clientAssertionKeyID: key-2026-01
+      clientAssertionAlg: RS256
+      clientAssertionPrivateKey: |
+        -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
+        MIIEvQIBADANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAASCBKcwggSjAgEAAoIBAQC7VJTUt9Us8cKj
+        MZj4ev7QnMa1mYV3Kx1jRkH5YwXQ7N2J2j8K5pP6h0oZmXq1yQv4r8wZb3sH9D2k
+        ... (truncated) ...
+        -----END PRIVATE KEY-----
+```
+
+**Example — key on disk:**
+
+```yaml
+clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt
+clientAssertionKeyPath: /etc/traefik/oidc/client-key.pem
+clientAssertionKeyID: key-2026-01
+clientAssertionAlg: RS256
+```
+
+**Generating an RS256 key with OpenSSL:**
+
+```bash
+openssl genpkey -algorithm RSA -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:2048 \
+  -out client-key.pem
+openssl rsa -in client-key.pem -pubout -out client-pub.pem
+```
+
+Register `client-pub.pem` (or its JWK form) with your IdP under the same
+`kid` you set in `clientAssertionKeyID`.
+
+**Notes:**
+
+- The private key is parsed once at plugin startup. Key rotation requires a
+  Traefik reload.
+- Assertion lifetime is fixed at 60 seconds.
+- A fresh random `jti` is generated per request.
+- The `aud` claim is the token endpoint URL (from discovery).
+- Tracking issue:
+  [#135](https://github.com/lukaszraczylo/traefikoidc/issues/135).
+
+### client_secret_basic
+
+Per [RFC 6749 §2.3.1][rfc6749-2-3-1], the plugin sends the client credentials
+in an `Authorization: Basic` header instead of the body. Both halves
+(`client_id`, `client_secret`) are form-urlencoded individually, joined with
+a colon, then base64-encoded. Use this when your IdP requires Basic auth at
+the token endpoint and rejects credentials in the body.
+
+```yaml
+clientAuthMethod: client_secret_basic
+clientID: your-client-id
+clientSecret: your-client-secret
+```
+
+[rfc6749-2-3-1]: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6749#section-2.3.1
+
+---
+
 ## Optional Parameters
 
 | Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
@@ -59,6 +183,11 @@ spec:
 | `oidcEndSessionURL` | string | auto-discovered | Provider's end session endpoint |
 | `enablePKCE` | bool | `false` | Enable PKCE for authorization code flow |
 | `minimalHeaders` | bool | `false` | Reduce forwarded headers |
+| `clientAuthMethod` | string | `client_secret_post` | Client authentication method at token/revocation endpoints. One of `client_secret_post`, `client_secret_basic`, `private_key_jwt`. See [Client Authentication](#client-authentication). |
+| `clientAssertionPrivateKey` | string | none | Inline PEM private key for `private_key_jwt`. Mutually exclusive with `clientAssertionKeyPath`. PKCS#8 / PKCS#1 / SEC1. |
+| `clientAssertionKeyPath` | string | none | Path to PEM private key on disk for `private_key_jwt`. Mutually exclusive with `clientAssertionPrivateKey`. |
+| `clientAssertionKeyID` | string | none | `kid` header for `private_key_jwt` assertions. Required when `clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt`. |
+| `clientAssertionAlg` | string | `RS256` | Signing algorithm for `private_key_jwt`. One of `RS256/384/512`, `PS256/384/512`, `ES256/384/512`. |
 
 ### TLS Termination at Load Balancer
 
diff --git a/docs/index.html b/docs/index.html
index 92267d5..254de40 100644
--- a/docs/index.html
+++ b/docs/index.html
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ spec:
                                     </tr>
                                     <tr class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
                                         <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientSecret</code></td>
-                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">OAuth 2.0 client secret</td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">OAuth 2.0 client secret. Only required when <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAuthMethod</code> is unset or <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">client_secret_post</code>/<code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">client_secret_basic</code>.</td>
                                     </tr>
                                     <tr class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
                                         <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">sessionEncryptionKey</code></td>
@@ -753,15 +753,48 @@ spec:
                                         <td class="py-2 px-3">false</td>
                                         <td class="py-2 px-3">Require RFC 7662 introspection for opaque tokens</td>
                                     </tr>
-                                    <tr>
+                                    <tr class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
                                         <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">disableReplayDetection</code></td>
                                         <td class="py-2 px-3">false</td>
                                         <td class="py-2 px-3">Disable JTI replay detection (for multi-replica without Redis)</td>
                                     </tr>
+                                    <tr class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAuthMethod</code></td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">client_secret_post</td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">Selects how the plugin authenticates to the token endpoint. One of <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">client_secret_post</code>, <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">client_secret_basic</code>, <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">private_key_jwt</code>.</td>
+                                    </tr>
+                                    <tr class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAssertionPrivateKey</code></td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">none</td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">Inline PEM private key used to sign client assertions for <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">private_key_jwt</code>.</td>
+                                    </tr>
+                                    <tr class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAssertionKeyPath</code></td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">none</td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">Path to a PEM private key file. Alternative to <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAssertionPrivateKey</code>.</td>
+                                    </tr>
+                                    <tr class="border-b border-gray-100 dark:border-gray-800">
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAssertionKeyID</code></td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">none</td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">JWS <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">kid</code> header value. Required when <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAuthMethod</code> is <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">private_key_jwt</code>.</td>
+                                    </tr>
+                                    <tr>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3"><code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">clientAssertionAlg</code></td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">RS256</td>
+                                        <td class="py-2 px-3">Signing algorithm for the client assertion. One of <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">RS256</code>/<code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">RS384</code>/<code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">RS512</code>, <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">PS256</code>/<code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">PS384</code>/<code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">PS512</code>, <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">ES256</code>/<code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">ES384</code>/<code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">ES512</code>.</td>
+                                    </tr>
                                 </tbody>
                             </table>
                         </div>
                     </div>
+                    <div class="glass p-6 rounded-xl">
+                        <h3 class="font-semibold text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100 mb-3">Private Key JWT (RFC 7523)</h3>
+                        <p class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400 mb-3 text-sm">Use this when your IdP (Entra ID, Okta, Auth0, Keycloak) pressures short-lived secrets, or when policy mandates secretless service-to-service authentication. The plugin signs a 60-second assertion with the configured private key and sends it as <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">client_assertion</code> instead of <code class="bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 px-1 rounded">client_secret</code>. Public-key registration on the IdP replaces shared-secret rotation. See <a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7523" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-300 hover:text-gray-900 dark:hover:text-gray-100 underline">RFC 7523</a> and <a href="https://github.com/lukaszraczylo/traefikoidc/issues/135" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-300 hover:text-gray-900 dark:hover:text-gray-100 underline">issue #135</a>.</p>
+                        <pre class="bg-gray-900 text-gray-100 p-4 rounded-lg overflow-x-auto text-sm"><code>clientAuthMethod: private_key_jwt
+clientAssertionKeyPath: /etc/traefik/oidc-client.pem
+clientAssertionKeyID: my-client-key-2026
+# clientSecret no longer required</code></pre>
+                    </div>
                     <div class="glass p-6 rounded-xl">
                         <h3 class="font-semibold text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100 mb-3">Example: Google Workspace with Domain Restriction</h3>
 
diff --git a/examples/complete-traefik-config.yaml b/examples/complete-traefik-config.yaml
index 95c2079..939c365 100644
--- a/examples/complete-traefik-config.yaml
+++ b/examples/complete-traefik-config.yaml
@@ -101,6 +101,16 @@ http:
           providerURL: "https://auth.example.com"
           callbackURL: "/oauth2/callback"
 
+          # ----------------------------------------------------------------
+          # Optional: switch to RFC 7523 private_key_jwt client auth
+          # (Entra ID, Okta, Auth0, Keycloak). Replaces clientSecret with a
+          # signed JWT assertion. See README for details and PEM formats.
+          # ----------------------------------------------------------------
+          # clientAuthMethod: "private_key_jwt"
+          # clientAssertionKeyPath: "/etc/traefik/oidc/client-key.pem"
+          # clientAssertionKeyID: "prod-key-2026"
+          # clientAssertionAlg: "RS256"   # or PS256/384/512, ES256/384/512
+
           # Session Configuration
           sessionEncryptionKey: "prod-encryption-key-64-chars-long-keep-it-secret-and-safe"
           sessionMaxAge: 28800  # 8 hours
diff --git a/helpers.go b/helpers.go
index 300d5e5..be7d93e 100644
--- a/helpers.go
+++ b/helpers.go
@@ -107,9 +107,12 @@ type TokenResponse struct {
 //   - An error if the token exchange fails (e.g., network error, provider error, invalid grant)
 func (t *TraefikOidc) exchangeTokens(ctx context.Context, grantType string, codeOrToken string, redirectURL string, codeVerifier string) (*TokenResponse, error) {
 	data := url.Values{
-		"grant_type":    {grantType},
-		"client_id":     {t.clientID},
-		"client_secret": {t.clientSecret},
+		"grant_type": {grantType},
+	}
+	// client_id is sent in the body for every method except client_secret_basic,
+	// where it is carried in the Authorization header per RFC 6749 §2.3.1.
+	if t.clientAuthMethod != "client_secret_basic" || t.clientAssertion != nil {
+		data.Set("client_id", t.clientID)
 	}
 
 	if grantType == "authorization_code" {
@@ -141,16 +144,33 @@ func (t *TraefikOidc) exchangeTokens(ctx context.Context, grantType string, code
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Read tokenURL with RLock
+	// Read tokenURL with RLock — needed as audience for private_key_jwt (RFC 7523 §3).
 	t.metadataMu.RLock()
 	tokenURL := t.tokenURL
 	t.metadataMu.RUnlock()
 
+	useBasicAuth := false
+	if t.clientAssertion != nil {
+		assertion, err := t.clientAssertion.Sign(tokenURL, t.clientID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to sign client assertion: %w", err)
+		}
+		data.Set("client_assertion_type", "urn:ietf:params:oauth:client-assertion-type:jwt-bearer")
+		data.Set("client_assertion", assertion)
+	} else if t.clientAuthMethod == "client_secret_basic" {
+		useBasicAuth = true
+	} else {
+		data.Set("client_secret", t.clientSecret)
+	}
+
 	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, "POST", tokenURL, strings.NewReader(data.Encode()))
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create token request: %w", err)
 	}
 	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded")
+	if useBasicAuth {
+		setOAuthBasicAuth(req, t.clientID, t.clientSecret)
+	}
 
 	resp, err := client.Do(req)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -423,6 +443,19 @@ func BuildLogoutURL(endSessionURL, idToken, postLogoutRedirectURI string) (strin
 	return u.String(), nil
 }
 
+// setOAuthBasicAuth sets the Authorization header per RFC 6749 §2.3.1: the
+// client_id and client_secret are form-urlencoded individually, joined with a
+// colon, then base64-encoded. This differs from http.Request.SetBasicAuth,
+// which skips the form-urlencode step — that matters for credentials with
+// reserved characters (`:`, `@`, `+`, `%`, etc.) where the wire format would
+// otherwise diverge from what the spec mandates.
+func setOAuthBasicAuth(req *http.Request, clientID, clientSecret string) {
+	user := url.QueryEscape(clientID)
+	pass := url.QueryEscape(clientSecret)
+	auth := base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(user + ":" + pass))
+	req.Header.Set("Authorization", "Basic "+auth)
+}
+
 // deduplicateScopes removes duplicate scopes from a slice while preserving order.
 // This ensures that OAuth scope parameters don't contain duplicates which could
 // cause issues with some authorization servers.
diff --git a/issue135_regression_test.go b/issue135_regression_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ddcf316
--- /dev/null
+++ b/issue135_regression_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,925 @@
+package traefikoidc
+
+// issue135_regression_test.go — regression tests for RFC 7523 private_key_jwt
+// client authentication (issue #135).
+//
+// These tests guard:
+//   - Correct JWT construction and cryptographic signature for all supported
+//     algorithms (RS*/PS*/ES*).
+//   - Proper validation of alg/key type combinations and empty-kid rejection.
+//   - JTI uniqueness across concurrent calls.
+//   - PEM variant tolerance (PKCS#8, PKCS#1, SEC1).
+//   - Config.Validate() behavior for all private_key_jwt configuration paths.
+//   - buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig: inline PEM, file-backed PEM, default alg.
+//   - Wire-up in exchangeTokens: assertion fields sent, client_secret absent.
+//   - Wire-up in RevokeTokenWithProvider: assertion fields sent, audience = tokenURL.
+//   - Back-compat: client_secret_post path unchanged when clientAssertion == nil.
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"crypto"
+	"crypto/ecdsa"
+	"crypto/elliptic"
+	"crypto/rand"
+	"crypto/rsa"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"crypto/sha512"
+	"crypto/x509"
+	"encoding/base64"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"encoding/pem"
+	"math/big"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/httptest"
+	"net/url"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+// ── A. Signer unit tests ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// TestIssue135_SignerRSAFamily verifies that NewClientAssertionSigner + Sign
+// produces a well-formed, cryptographically valid JWT for every RSA-family
+// algorithm (RS256/RS384/RS512/PS256/PS384/PS512).
+func TestIssue135_SignerRSAFamily(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		alg      string
+		hashFn   func([]byte) []byte
+		isPS     bool
+		hash     crypto.Hash
+	}{
+		{"RS256", func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha256.Sum256(b); return h[:] }, false, crypto.SHA256},
+		{"RS384", func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha512.Sum384(b); return h[:] }, false, crypto.SHA384},
+		{"RS512", func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha512.Sum512(b); return h[:] }, false, crypto.SHA512},
+		{"PS256", func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha256.Sum256(b); return h[:] }, true, crypto.SHA256},
+		{"PS384", func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha512.Sum384(b); return h[:] }, true, crypto.SHA384},
+		{"PS512", func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha512.Sum512(b); return h[:] }, true, crypto.SHA512},
+	}
+
+	const (
+		audience = "https://example.com/token"
+		clientID = "client-abc"
+		kid      = "kid-1"
+	)
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.alg, func(t *testing.T) {
+			signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, tc.alg, kid)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			jwtStr, err := signer.Sign(audience, clientID)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+			require.Len(t, parts, 3, "JWT must have three dot-separated parts")
+
+			// Decode and check header.
+			hdr := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[0])
+			assert.Equal(t, tc.alg, hdr["alg"])
+			assert.Equal(t, "JWT", hdr["typ"])
+			assert.Equal(t, kid, hdr["kid"])
+
+			// Decode and check claims.
+			clms := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[1])
+			assert.Equal(t, clientID, clms["iss"])
+			assert.Equal(t, clientID, clms["sub"])
+			assert.Equal(t, audience, clms["aud"])
+
+			iat, ok := clms["iat"].(float64)
+			require.True(t, ok, "iat must be numeric")
+			exp, ok := clms["exp"].(float64)
+			require.True(t, ok, "exp must be numeric")
+			assert.InDelta(t, 60, exp-iat, 2, "exp-iat must equal ~60s")
+
+			now := float64(time.Now().Unix())
+			assert.True(t, iat <= now+2 && iat >= now-5, "iat must be current time ±5s")
+
+			jti, ok := clms["jti"].(string)
+			require.True(t, ok, "jti must be a string")
+			assert.Len(t, jti, 32, "jti must be 32-char hex (16 bytes → hex)")
+
+			// Verify cryptographic signature.
+			sigInput := parts[0] + "." + parts[1]
+			digest := tc.hashFn([]byte(sigInput))
+			sigBytes, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(parts[2])
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			pub := &rsaKey.PublicKey
+			if tc.isPS {
+				opts := &rsa.PSSOptions{SaltLength: rsa.PSSSaltLengthEqualsHash, Hash: tc.hash}
+				assert.NoError(t, rsa.VerifyPSS(pub, tc.hash, digest, sigBytes, opts),
+					"PSS signature verification failed for %s", tc.alg)
+			} else {
+				assert.NoError(t, rsa.VerifyPKCS1v15(pub, tc.hash, digest, sigBytes),
+					"PKCS1v15 signature verification failed for %s", tc.alg)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_SignerECDSAFamily verifies correct JWT production for all
+// ECDSA algorithms (ES256/ES384/ES512) including that the signature is the
+// raw r||s encoding (not ASN.1 DER) and is verifiable with the matching key.
+func TestIssue135_SignerECDSAFamily(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		alg    string
+		curve  elliptic.Curve
+		hashFn func([]byte) []byte
+		hash   crypto.Hash
+	}{
+		{"ES256", elliptic.P256(), func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha256.Sum256(b); return h[:] }, crypto.SHA256},
+		{"ES384", elliptic.P384(), func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha512.Sum384(b); return h[:] }, crypto.SHA384},
+		{"ES512", elliptic.P521(), func(b []byte) []byte { h := sha512.Sum512(b); return h[:] }, crypto.SHA512},
+	}
+
+	const (
+		audience = "https://idp.example.com/token"
+		clientID = "ec-client"
+		kid      = "ec-kid"
+	)
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.alg, func(t *testing.T) {
+			ecKey, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(tc.curve, rand.Reader)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			pemBytes := encodeECPKCS8(t, ecKey)
+
+			signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, tc.alg, kid)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			jwtStr, err := signer.Sign(audience, clientID)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+			require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+
+			sigBytes, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(parts[2])
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			byteLen := (tc.curve.Params().BitSize + 7) / 8
+			assert.Len(t, sigBytes, 2*byteLen,
+				"ECDSA signature must be raw r||s (2×%d bytes for %s)", byteLen, tc.alg)
+
+			r := new(big.Int).SetBytes(sigBytes[:byteLen])
+			s := new(big.Int).SetBytes(sigBytes[byteLen:])
+
+			sigInput := parts[0] + "." + parts[1]
+			digest := tc.hashFn([]byte(sigInput))
+
+			ok := ecdsa.Verify(&ecKey.PublicKey, digest, r, s)
+			assert.True(t, ok, "ECDSA signature verification failed for %s", tc.alg)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_SignerRejectsAlgKeyMismatch verifies that the signer constructor
+// rejects type mismatches between key type and algorithm, unknown algorithms,
+// and an empty kid.
+func TestIssue135_SignerRejectsAlgKeyMismatch(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	rsaPEM := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	ecKey, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	ecPEM := encodeECPKCS8(t, ecKey)
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		name     string
+		pemBytes []byte
+		alg      string
+		kid      string
+		wantErr  string
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "RSA key with ES256",
+			pemBytes: rsaPEM,
+			alg:     "ES256",
+			kid:     "k1",
+			wantErr: "EC key",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "EC key with RS256",
+			pemBytes: ecPEM,
+			alg:     "RS256",
+			kid:     "k1",
+			wantErr: "RSA key",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "unknown alg HS256",
+			pemBytes: rsaPEM,
+			alg:     "HS256",
+			kid:     "k1",
+			wantErr: "unsupported",
+		},
+		{
+			name:    "empty kid",
+			pemBytes: rsaPEM,
+			alg:     "RS256",
+			kid:     "",
+			wantErr: "kid must not be empty",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			_, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(tc.pemBytes, tc.alg, tc.kid)
+			require.Error(t, err)
+			assert.Contains(t, strings.ToLower(err.Error()), strings.ToLower(tc.wantErr),
+				"error should mention %q", tc.wantErr)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_SignerJTIUniqueness signs 50 assertions with the same signer
+// and asserts all jti values are distinct. Guards against broken entropy reuse.
+func TestIssue135_SignerJTIUniqueness(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "RS256", "jti-kid")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	seen := make(map[string]bool, 50)
+	for i := range 50 {
+		jwtStr, err := signer.Sign("https://example.com/token", "client-x")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+
+		parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+		require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+		clms := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[1])
+		jti, ok := clms["jti"].(string)
+		require.True(t, ok)
+		assert.False(t, seen[jti], "jti %q was reused at iteration %d", jti, i)
+		seen[jti] = true
+	}
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_SignerPEMVariants confirms that all PEM block types understood
+// by NewClientAssertionSigner are parsed correctly: PKCS#8 ("PRIVATE KEY"),
+// PKCS#1 ("RSA PRIVATE KEY"), and SEC1 ("EC PRIVATE KEY").
+func TestIssue135_SignerPEMVariants(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	ecKey, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	t.Run("RSA PKCS8", func(t *testing.T) {
+		pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+		signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "RS256", "k1")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertValidRSAJWT(t, rsaKey, signer, "RS256")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("RSA PKCS1", func(t *testing.T) {
+		der := x509.MarshalPKCS1PrivateKey(rsaKey)
+		pemBytes := pem.EncodeToMemory(&pem.Block{Type: "RSA PRIVATE KEY", Bytes: der})
+		signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "RS256", "k1")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		assertValidRSAJWT(t, rsaKey, signer, "RS256")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("EC PKCS8", func(t *testing.T) {
+		pemBytes := encodeECPKCS8(t, ecKey)
+		signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "ES256", "k1")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		jwtStr, err := signer.Sign("https://example.com/token", "cid")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+		require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+	})
+
+	t.Run("EC SEC1", func(t *testing.T) {
+		der, err := x509.MarshalECPrivateKey(ecKey)
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		pemBytes := pem.EncodeToMemory(&pem.Block{Type: "EC PRIVATE KEY", Bytes: der})
+		signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "ES256", "k1")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		jwtStr, err := signer.Sign("https://example.com/token", "cid")
+		require.NoError(t, err)
+		parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+		require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+	})
+}
+
+// ── B. Config validation ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// TestIssue135_ConfigValidation table-drives Config.Validate() for every
+// client-authentication-related validation branch.
+func TestIssue135_ConfigValidation(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	validPEM := string(encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey))
+
+	// baseConfig returns the minimum valid config, modified per test case.
+	base := func() *Config {
+		return &Config{
+			ProviderURL:          "https://idp.example.com",
+			CallbackURL:          "/cb",
+			ClientID:             "cid",
+			ClientSecret:         "secret",
+			SessionEncryptionKey: "01234567890123456789012345678901", // 32 chars
+			RateLimit:            100,
+		}
+	}
+
+	cases := []struct {
+		name     string
+		mutate   func(*Config)
+		wantErr  string // empty = expect nil error
+	}{
+		{
+			name:    "default empty method + secret ok",
+			mutate:  func(c *Config) { /* nothing extra */ },
+			wantErr: "",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "explicit client_secret_post + secret ok",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "client_secret_post"
+			},
+			wantErr: "",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "private_key_jwt inline key + kid ok",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "private_key_jwt"
+				c.ClientSecret = ""
+				c.ClientAssertionPrivateKey = validPEM
+				c.ClientAssertionKeyID = "k1"
+			},
+			wantErr: "",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "private_key_jwt no key at all",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "private_key_jwt"
+				c.ClientSecret = ""
+				c.ClientAssertionKeyID = "k1"
+			},
+			wantErr: "clientAssertionPrivateKey",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "private_key_jwt both inline and path",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "private_key_jwt"
+				c.ClientSecret = ""
+				c.ClientAssertionPrivateKey = validPEM
+				c.ClientAssertionKeyPath = "/tmp/key.pem"
+				c.ClientAssertionKeyID = "k1"
+			},
+			wantErr: "only one of",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "private_key_jwt key but no kid",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "private_key_jwt"
+				c.ClientSecret = ""
+				c.ClientAssertionPrivateKey = validPEM
+			},
+			wantErr: "clientAssertionKeyID",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "private_key_jwt unsupported alg HS256",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "private_key_jwt"
+				c.ClientSecret = ""
+				c.ClientAssertionPrivateKey = validPEM
+				c.ClientAssertionKeyID = "k1"
+				c.ClientAssertionAlg = "HS256"
+			},
+			wantErr: "is not supported",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "unknown client auth method",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "weird"
+			},
+			wantErr: "is not supported",
+		},
+		{
+			name: "client_secret_post with no secret",
+			mutate: func(c *Config) {
+				c.ClientAuthMethod = "client_secret_post"
+				c.ClientSecret = ""
+			},
+			wantErr: "clientSecret is required",
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range cases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			cfg := base()
+			tc.mutate(cfg)
+			err := cfg.Validate()
+			if tc.wantErr == "" {
+				assert.NoError(t, err)
+			} else {
+				require.Error(t, err)
+				assert.Contains(t, err.Error(), tc.wantErr,
+					"error must mention %q", tc.wantErr)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_ConfigKeyPathLoadsFile verifies that buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig
+// reads the PEM key from disk when ClientAssertionKeyPath is set.
+func TestIssue135_ConfigKeyPathLoadsFile(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	keyFile := dir + "/private.pem"
+	require.NoError(t, os.WriteFile(keyFile, pemBytes, 0o600))
+
+	cfg := &Config{
+		ClientAuthMethod:    "private_key_jwt",
+		ClientAssertionKeyPath: keyFile,
+		ClientAssertionKeyID:   "file-kid",
+		ClientAssertionAlg:     "RS256",
+	}
+
+	signer, err := buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig(cfg)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "should load signer from key file")
+	require.NotNil(t, signer)
+
+	// Confirm signer produces a valid JWT.
+	jwtStr, err := signer.Sign("https://example.com/token", "client-from-file")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+	require.Len(t, parts, 3, "should produce a 3-part JWT")
+}
+
+// ── C. Wire-up — exchangeTokens ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// TestIssue135_AuthCodeExchangeUsesAssertion confirms that exchangeTokens sends
+// client_assertion + client_assertion_type instead of client_secret when a
+// ClientAssertionSigner is configured, and that the assertion JWT is valid.
+func TestIssue135_AuthCodeExchangeUsesAssertion(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	var capturedBody []byte
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		body := make([]byte, r.ContentLength)
+		_, _ = r.Body.Read(body)
+		capturedBody = body
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		// Return a minimal token response so exchangeTokens doesn't error.
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(TokenResponse{
+			AccessToken:  "at",
+			IDToken:      "it",
+			RefreshToken: "rt",
+			TokenType:    "Bearer",
+			ExpiresIn:    3600,
+		})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "RS256", "wire-kid")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	oidc := &TraefikOidc{
+		clientID:        "wire-client",
+		tokenHTTPClient: server.Client(),
+		clientAssertion: signer,
+		logger:          GetSingletonNoOpLogger(),
+	}
+	oidc.tokenURL = server.URL
+
+	_, err = oidc.exchangeTokens(context.Background(), "authorization_code", "code-x", "https://app/cb", "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	form, err := url.ParseQuery(string(capturedBody))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "urn:ietf:params:oauth:client-assertion-type:jwt-bearer",
+		form.Get("client_assertion_type"), "client_assertion_type must be set")
+	assertionJWT := form.Get("client_assertion")
+	assert.NotEmpty(t, assertionJWT, "client_assertion must be present")
+	assert.Empty(t, form.Get("client_secret"), "client_secret must not be sent when using assertion")
+	assert.Equal(t, "wire-client", form.Get("client_id"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "code-x", form.Get("code"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "authorization_code", form.Get("grant_type"))
+
+	// Verify assertion JWT: header, claims, signature.
+	parts := strings.Split(assertionJWT, ".")
+	require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+
+	hdr := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[0])
+	assert.Equal(t, "RS256", hdr["alg"])
+
+	clms := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[1])
+	assert.Equal(t, "wire-client", clms["iss"])
+	assert.Equal(t, "wire-client", clms["sub"])
+	assert.Equal(t, server.URL, clms["aud"],
+		"audience must be the tokenURL (RFC 7523 §3)")
+
+	// Verify signature with RSA public key.
+	sigInput := parts[0] + "." + parts[1]
+	digest := sha256SumBytes([]byte(sigInput))
+	sigBytes, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(parts[2])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NoError(t, rsa.VerifyPKCS1v15(&rsaKey.PublicKey, crypto.SHA256, digest, sigBytes))
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_RefreshTokenUsesAssertion verifies that the refresh_token grant
+// type also sends client_assertion and the correct form fields.
+func TestIssue135_RefreshTokenUsesAssertion(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	var capturedForm url.Values
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		require.NoError(t, r.ParseForm())
+		capturedForm = r.Form
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(TokenResponse{
+			AccessToken: "new-at",
+			TokenType:   "Bearer",
+			ExpiresIn:   3600,
+		})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "RS256", "rt-kid")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	oidc := &TraefikOidc{
+		clientID:        "rt-client",
+		tokenHTTPClient: server.Client(),
+		clientAssertion: signer,
+		logger:          GetSingletonNoOpLogger(),
+	}
+	oidc.tokenURL = server.URL
+
+	_, err = oidc.exchangeTokens(context.Background(), "refresh_token", "rt-y", "", "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "refresh_token", capturedForm.Get("grant_type"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "rt-y", capturedForm.Get("refresh_token"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "urn:ietf:params:oauth:client-assertion-type:jwt-bearer",
+		capturedForm.Get("client_assertion_type"))
+	assert.NotEmpty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_assertion"))
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_secret"))
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_BackcompatClientSecretPath confirms that exchangeTokens sends
+// client_secret and does NOT send client_assertion when clientAssertion is nil.
+func TestIssue135_BackcompatClientSecretPath(t *testing.T) {
+	var capturedForm url.Values
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		require.NoError(t, r.ParseForm())
+		capturedForm = r.Form
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(TokenResponse{
+			AccessToken: "at",
+			TokenType:   "Bearer",
+			ExpiresIn:   3600,
+		})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	oidc := &TraefikOidc{
+		clientID:        "legacy-client",
+		clientSecret:    "legacy-secret",
+		tokenHTTPClient: server.Client(),
+		clientAssertion: nil, // back-compat path
+		logger:          GetSingletonNoOpLogger(),
+	}
+	oidc.tokenURL = server.URL
+
+	_, err := oidc.exchangeTokens(context.Background(), "authorization_code", "code-bc", "https://app/cb", "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "legacy-secret", capturedForm.Get("client_secret"),
+		"client_secret must be sent on the classic path")
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_assertion"),
+		"client_assertion must NOT be present on the classic path")
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_assertion_type"),
+		"client_assertion_type must NOT be present on the classic path")
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_ClientSecretBasicAuth verifies that when clientAuthMethod is
+// "client_secret_basic", exchangeTokens sends an HTTP Basic Authorization
+// header carrying url-encoded client_id:client_secret per RFC 6749 §2.3.1,
+// and that neither client_id nor client_secret appears in the form body.
+func TestIssue135_ClientSecretBasicAuth(t *testing.T) {
+	var capturedAuth string
+	var capturedForm url.Values
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		capturedAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		require.NoError(t, r.ParseForm())
+		capturedForm = r.Form
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(TokenResponse{
+			AccessToken: "at-basic", TokenType: "Bearer", ExpiresIn: 3600,
+		})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	oidc := &TraefikOidc{
+		clientID:         "basic-client",
+		clientSecret:     "basic-secret",
+		clientAuthMethod: "client_secret_basic",
+		tokenHTTPClient:  server.Client(),
+		logger:           GetSingletonNoOpLogger(),
+	}
+	oidc.tokenURL = server.URL
+
+	_, err := oidc.exchangeTokens(context.Background(), "authorization_code", "code-bb", "https://app/cb", "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	require.True(t, strings.HasPrefix(capturedAuth, "Basic "),
+		"Authorization header must start with 'Basic ', got %q", capturedAuth)
+	raw, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(strings.TrimPrefix(capturedAuth, "Basic "))
+	require.NoError(t, err, "Authorization payload must be valid base64")
+	user, pass, ok := strings.Cut(string(raw), ":")
+	require.True(t, ok, "Authorization payload must contain a single ':' separator")
+	assert.Equal(t, "basic-client", user, "client_id should round-trip through QueryEscape")
+	assert.Equal(t, "basic-secret", pass, "client_secret should round-trip through QueryEscape")
+
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_id"),
+		"client_id must NOT be in the body when using client_secret_basic")
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_secret"),
+		"client_secret must NOT be in the body when using client_secret_basic")
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_assertion"),
+		"client_assertion must NOT be present on the basic-auth path")
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_ClientSecretBasicURLEncodesReservedChars verifies that
+// credentials containing reserved characters (`:`, `+`, `/`, etc.) are
+// form-urlencoded before base64 per RFC 6749 §2.3.1, so the receiving
+// authorization server can decode them deterministically.
+func TestIssue135_ClientSecretBasicURLEncodesReservedChars(t *testing.T) {
+	var capturedAuth string
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		capturedAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		w.Header().Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+		_ = json.NewEncoder(w).Encode(TokenResponse{AccessToken: "at", TokenType: "Bearer", ExpiresIn: 3600})
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	const (
+		clientID     = "weird:id+1"
+		clientSecret = "p@ss/word=&" //nolint:gosec // test fixture
+	)
+
+	oidc := &TraefikOidc{
+		clientID:         clientID,
+		clientSecret:     clientSecret,
+		clientAuthMethod: "client_secret_basic",
+		tokenHTTPClient:  server.Client(),
+		logger:           GetSingletonNoOpLogger(),
+	}
+	oidc.tokenURL = server.URL
+
+	_, err := oidc.exchangeTokens(context.Background(), "authorization_code", "c", "https://app/cb", "")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	raw, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(strings.TrimPrefix(capturedAuth, "Basic "))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	wantUser := url.QueryEscape(clientID)
+	wantPass := url.QueryEscape(clientSecret)
+	assert.Equal(t, wantUser+":"+wantPass, string(raw),
+		"both halves must be form-urlencoded before the base64 step")
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_ClientSecretBasicRevocation verifies that the revocation path
+// honors client_secret_basic identically to the token path.
+func TestIssue135_ClientSecretBasicRevocation(t *testing.T) {
+	var capturedAuth string
+	var capturedForm url.Values
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		capturedAuth = r.Header.Get("Authorization")
+		require.NoError(t, r.ParseForm())
+		capturedForm = r.Form
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	oidc := &TraefikOidc{
+		clientID:         "rev-basic",
+		clientSecret:     "rev-secret",
+		clientAuthMethod: "client_secret_basic",
+		httpClient:       server.Client(),
+		logger:           GetSingletonNoOpLogger(),
+	}
+	oidc.tokenURL = "https://idp.example.com/token"
+	oidc.revocationURL = server.URL
+
+	require.NoError(t, oidc.RevokeTokenWithProvider("opaque-tok", "access_token"))
+
+	require.True(t, strings.HasPrefix(capturedAuth, "Basic "), "got %q", capturedAuth)
+	raw, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(strings.TrimPrefix(capturedAuth, "Basic "))
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "rev-basic:rev-secret", string(raw))
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "opaque-tok", capturedForm.Get("token"))
+	assert.Equal(t, "access_token", capturedForm.Get("token_type_hint"))
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_id"),
+		"client_id must NOT be in body on Basic-auth revocation")
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_secret"),
+		"client_secret must NOT be in body on Basic-auth revocation")
+}
+
+// ── D. Wire-up — RevokeTokenWithProvider ────────────────────────────────────
+
+// TestIssue135_RevocationUsesAssertion verifies that RevokeTokenWithProvider
+// sends client_assertion (not client_secret), and that the assertion's audience
+// is the tokenURL, not the revocationURL (per RFC 7523 §3).
+func TestIssue135_RevocationUsesAssertion(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	const (
+		tokenEndpoint      = "https://idp.example.com/token"  // audience for assertion
+		clientIDVal        = "revoke-client"
+	)
+
+	var capturedForm url.Values
+	// Revocation endpoint — deliberate separate URL to confirm audience != revocationURL.
+	revokeServer := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		require.NoError(t, r.ParseForm())
+		capturedForm = r.Form
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+	}))
+	defer revokeServer.Close()
+
+	signer, err := NewClientAssertionSigner(pemBytes, "RS256", "rev-kid")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	oidc := &TraefikOidc{
+		clientID:        clientIDVal,
+		clientAssertion: signer,
+		httpClient:      revokeServer.Client(),
+		logger:          GetSingletonNoOpLogger(),
+	}
+	// tokenURL drives assertion audience; revocationURL is where the POST goes.
+	oidc.tokenURL = tokenEndpoint
+	oidc.revocationURL = revokeServer.URL
+
+	err = oidc.RevokeTokenWithProvider("some-token", "refresh_token")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	assert.Equal(t, "urn:ietf:params:oauth:client-assertion-type:jwt-bearer",
+		capturedForm.Get("client_assertion_type"))
+	assertionJWT := capturedForm.Get("client_assertion")
+	assert.NotEmpty(t, assertionJWT)
+	assert.Empty(t, capturedForm.Get("client_secret"),
+		"client_secret must not appear in revocation request with assertion")
+
+	// Verify the assertion audience is tokenURL (not revocationURL).
+	parts := strings.Split(assertionJWT, ".")
+	require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+	clms := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[1])
+	assert.Equal(t, tokenEndpoint, clms["aud"],
+		"assertion audience must be tokenURL, not revocationURL")
+
+	// Sanity-check cryptographic validity.
+	sigInput := parts[0] + "." + parts[1]
+	digest := sha256SumBytes([]byte(sigInput))
+	sigBytes, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(parts[2])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NoError(t, rsa.VerifyPKCS1v15(&rsaKey.PublicKey, crypto.SHA256, digest, sigBytes))
+}
+
+// ── E. End-to-end via buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig ───────────────────
+
+// TestIssue135_BuildSignerFromInlineConfig confirms that the full config→signer
+// pipeline works for an ES256 key specified inline in the Config struct.
+func TestIssue135_BuildSignerFromInlineConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	ecKey, err := ecdsa.GenerateKey(elliptic.P256(), rand.Reader)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	pemBytes := encodeECPKCS8(t, ecKey)
+
+	cfg := &Config{
+		ClientAuthMethod:          "private_key_jwt",
+		ClientAssertionPrivateKey: string(pemBytes),
+		ClientAssertionKeyID:      "inline-ec-kid",
+		ClientAssertionAlg:        "ES256",
+	}
+
+	signer, err := buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig(cfg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, signer)
+
+	jwtStr, err := signer.Sign("https://example.com/token", "inline-client")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+	require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+
+	hdr := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[0])
+	assert.Equal(t, "ES256", hdr["alg"])
+	assert.Equal(t, "inline-ec-kid", hdr["kid"])
+
+	// Verify the EC signature.
+	byteLen := (elliptic.P256().Params().BitSize + 7) / 8
+	sigBytes, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(parts[2])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, sigBytes, 2*byteLen)
+
+	r := new(big.Int).SetBytes(sigBytes[:byteLen])
+	s := new(big.Int).SetBytes(sigBytes[byteLen:])
+	sigInput := parts[0] + "." + parts[1]
+	digest := sha256SumBytes([]byte(sigInput))
+	assert.True(t, ecdsa.Verify(&ecKey.PublicKey, digest, r, s))
+}
+
+// TestIssue135_BuildSignerDefaultsToRS256 verifies that an empty
+// ClientAssertionAlg defaults to RS256.
+func TestIssue135_BuildSignerDefaultsToRS256(t *testing.T) {
+	rsaKey := genRSAKey(t, 2048)
+	pemBytes := encodeRSAPKCS8(t, rsaKey)
+
+	cfg := &Config{
+		ClientAssertionPrivateKey: string(pemBytes),
+		ClientAssertionKeyID:      "default-alg-kid",
+		ClientAssertionAlg:        "", // intentionally empty
+	}
+
+	signer, err := buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig(cfg)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	jwtStr, err := signer.Sign("https://example.com/token", "default-client")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+	require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+
+	hdr := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[0])
+	assert.Equal(t, "RS256", hdr["alg"], "empty alg must default to RS256")
+}
+
+// ── Helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+// genRSAKey generates an RSA key of the given bit size, failing the test on error.
+func genRSAKey(t *testing.T, bits int) *rsa.PrivateKey {
+	t.Helper()
+	k, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, bits)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	return k
+}
+
+// encodeRSAPKCS8 marshals an RSA key as PKCS#8 PEM ("PRIVATE KEY").
+func encodeRSAPKCS8(t *testing.T, key *rsa.PrivateKey) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	der, err := x509.MarshalPKCS8PrivateKey(key)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	return pem.EncodeToMemory(&pem.Block{Type: "PRIVATE KEY", Bytes: der})
+}
+
+// encodeECPKCS8 marshals an EC key as PKCS#8 PEM ("PRIVATE KEY").
+func encodeECPKCS8(t *testing.T, key *ecdsa.PrivateKey) []byte {
+	t.Helper()
+	der, err := x509.MarshalPKCS8PrivateKey(key)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	return pem.EncodeToMemory(&pem.Block{Type: "PRIVATE KEY", Bytes: der})
+}
+
+// decodeJSONPart base64url-decodes a JWT part and parses it as a JSON object.
+func decodeJSONPart(t *testing.T, b64url string) map[string]any {
+	t.Helper()
+	raw, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(b64url)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "base64url decode of JWT part failed")
+	var m map[string]any
+	require.NoError(t, json.Unmarshal(raw, &m), "JSON unmarshal of JWT part failed")
+	return m
+}
+
+// sha256SumBytes returns the SHA-256 digest of b as a byte slice.
+func sha256SumBytes(b []byte) []byte {
+	h := sha256.Sum256(b)
+	return h[:]
+}
+
+// assertValidRSAJWT signs a JWT with signer and verifies the RS256 signature
+// against the given RSA public key. Used by PEM variant tests.
+func assertValidRSAJWT(t *testing.T, key *rsa.PrivateKey, signer *ClientAssertionSigner, alg string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	jwtStr, err := signer.Sign("https://example.com/token", "pem-client")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	parts := strings.Split(jwtStr, ".")
+	require.Len(t, parts, 3)
+
+	hdr := decodeJSONPart(t, parts[0])
+	assert.Equal(t, alg, hdr["alg"])
+
+	sigBytes, err := base64.RawURLEncoding.DecodeString(parts[2])
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	sigInput := parts[0] + "." + parts[1]
+	digest := sha256SumBytes([]byte(sigInput))
+	assert.NoError(t, rsa.VerifyPKCS1v15(&key.PublicKey, crypto.SHA256, digest, sigBytes))
+}
+
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 38747e8..6682464 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -169,6 +169,12 @@ func NewWithContext(ctx context.Context, config *Config, next http.Handler, name
 		introspectionCache: cacheManager.GetSharedIntrospectionCache(), // Cache for introspection results
 		clientID:           config.ClientID,
 		clientSecret:       config.ClientSecret,
+		clientAuthMethod: func() string {
+			if config.ClientAuthMethod != "" {
+				return config.ClientAuthMethod
+			}
+			return "client_secret_post"
+		}(),
 		audience: func() string {
 			if config.Audience != "" {
 				return config.Audience
@@ -273,6 +279,15 @@ func NewWithContext(ctx context.Context, config *Config, next http.Handler, name
 	// rotates refresh tokens (Zitadel/Authentik default).
 	t.refreshCoordinator = NewRefreshCoordinator(DefaultRefreshCoordinatorConfig(), t.logger)
 
+	if config.ClientAuthMethod == "private_key_jwt" {
+		signer, err := buildClientAssertionSignerFromConfig(config)
+		if err != nil {
+			cancelFunc()
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to build client assertion signer: %w", err)
+		}
+		t.clientAssertion = signer
+	}
+
 	t.extractClaimsFunc = extractClaims
 	t.initiateAuthenticationFunc = func(rw http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, session *SessionData, redirectURL string) {
 		t.defaultInitiateAuthentication(rw, req, session, redirectURL)
diff --git a/settings.go b/settings.go
index 1dacfe0..516e4db 100644
--- a/settings.go
+++ b/settings.go
@@ -93,6 +93,38 @@ type Config struct {
 	// providers. Enabling this in production is a security hole — prefer
 	// CACertPath/CACertPEM. Emits a loud warning at startup.
 	InsecureSkipVerify bool `json:"insecureSkipVerify,omitempty"`
+
+	// ClientAuthMethod selects the OAuth 2.0 client authentication method used
+	// at the token / revocation / introspection endpoints. Supported values:
+	//
+	//   - "client_secret_post" (default, current behavior): clientSecret is
+	//     sent in the request body alongside client_id.
+	//   - "private_key_jwt" (RFC 7523 §2.2): the plugin signs a short-lived JWT
+	//     assertion with a configured private key and sends it as
+	//     client_assertion. Use this when your IdP enforces short-lived secrets
+	//     or mandates secretless client auth (Entra ID, Okta, Auth0, Keycloak).
+	//
+	// When set to "private_key_jwt", clientSecret may be left empty and one of
+	// clientAssertionPrivateKey / clientAssertionKeyPath must be configured.
+	ClientAuthMethod string `json:"clientAuthMethod,omitempty"`
+
+	// ClientAssertionPrivateKey is an inline PEM-encoded private key used to
+	// sign client_assertion JWTs. Mutually exclusive with
+	// ClientAssertionKeyPath. Supports PKCS#8, PKCS#1 (RSA), and SEC1 (EC).
+	ClientAssertionPrivateKey string `json:"clientAssertionPrivateKey,omitempty"`
+
+	// ClientAssertionKeyPath is a filesystem path to a PEM-encoded private key,
+	// equivalent to ClientAssertionPrivateKey but loaded from disk.
+	ClientAssertionKeyPath string `json:"clientAssertionKeyPath,omitempty"`
+
+	// ClientAssertionKeyID is the JWK key id (kid) advertised in the JWS
+	// header. Required when using private_key_jwt so the IdP can locate the
+	// matching public key registered for the client.
+	ClientAssertionKeyID string `json:"clientAssertionKeyID,omitempty"`
+
+	// ClientAssertionAlg is the JWS signing algorithm. Defaults to RS256.
+	// Supported: RS256/384/512, PS256/384/512, ES256/384/512.
+	ClientAssertionAlg string `json:"clientAssertionAlg,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // loadCACertPool assembles an x509.CertPool from CACertPath and CACertPEM.
@@ -323,8 +355,30 @@ func (c *Config) Validate() error {
 	if c.ClientID == "" {
 		return fmt.Errorf("clientID is required")
 	}
-	if c.ClientSecret == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("clientSecret is required")
+	authMethod := c.ClientAuthMethod
+	if authMethod == "" {
+		authMethod = "client_secret_post"
+	}
+	switch authMethod {
+	case "client_secret_post", "client_secret_basic":
+		if c.ClientSecret == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("clientSecret is required when clientAuthMethod is %q", authMethod)
+		}
+	case "private_key_jwt":
+		if c.ClientAssertionPrivateKey == "" && c.ClientAssertionKeyPath == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("clientAssertionPrivateKey or clientAssertionKeyPath is required when clientAuthMethod is private_key_jwt")
+		}
+		if c.ClientAssertionPrivateKey != "" && c.ClientAssertionKeyPath != "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("only one of clientAssertionPrivateKey or clientAssertionKeyPath may be set")
+		}
+		if c.ClientAssertionKeyID == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("clientAssertionKeyID is required when clientAuthMethod is private_key_jwt")
+		}
+		if c.ClientAssertionAlg != "" && !isSupportedClientAssertionAlg(c.ClientAssertionAlg) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("clientAssertionAlg %q is not supported (use RS256/384/512, PS256/384/512, or ES256/384/512)", c.ClientAssertionAlg)
+		}
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("clientAuthMethod %q is not supported", authMethod)
 	}
 
 	// Validate session encryption key
diff --git a/token_manager.go b/token_manager.go
index 9463410..142060e 100644
--- a/token_manager.go
+++ b/token_manager.go
@@ -660,11 +660,33 @@ func (t *TraefikOidc) RevokeTokenWithProvider(token, tokenType string) error {
 	}
 	t.logger.Debugf("Attempting to revoke token (type: %s) with provider at %s", tokenType, revocationURL)
 
+	// Read tokenURL with RLock — used as audience for private_key_jwt (RFC 7523 §3).
+	t.metadataMu.RLock()
+	tokenURL := t.tokenURL
+	t.metadataMu.RUnlock()
+
 	data := url.Values{
 		"token":           {token},
 		"token_type_hint": {tokenType},
-		"client_id":       {t.clientID},
-		"client_secret":   {t.clientSecret},
+	}
+	// client_id is sent in the body for every method except client_secret_basic,
+	// where it is carried in the Authorization header per RFC 6749 §2.3.1.
+	if t.clientAuthMethod != "client_secret_basic" || t.clientAssertion != nil {
+		data.Set("client_id", t.clientID)
+	}
+
+	useBasicAuth := false
+	if t.clientAssertion != nil {
+		assertion, err := t.clientAssertion.Sign(tokenURL, t.clientID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to sign client assertion: %w", err)
+		}
+		data.Set("client_assertion_type", "urn:ietf:params:oauth:client-assertion-type:jwt-bearer")
+		data.Set("client_assertion", assertion)
+	} else if t.clientAuthMethod == "client_secret_basic" {
+		useBasicAuth = true
+	} else {
+		data.Set("client_secret", t.clientSecret)
 	}
 
 	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(context.Background(), "POST", revocationURL, strings.NewReader(data.Encode()))
@@ -674,6 +696,9 @@ func (t *TraefikOidc) RevokeTokenWithProvider(token, tokenType string) error {
 
 	req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded")
 	req.Header.Set("Accept", "application/json")
+	if useBasicAuth {
+		setOAuthBasicAuth(req, t.clientID, t.clientSecret)
+	}
 
 	// Send the request with circuit breaker protection if available
 	var resp *http.Response
diff --git a/types.go b/types.go
index 64470d2..08c00ae 100644
--- a/types.go
+++ b/types.go
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ type TraefikOidc struct {
 	audience                   string
 	clientID                   string
 	clientSecret               string
+	clientAuthMethod           string
+	clientAssertion            *ClientAssertionSigner
 	registrationURL            string
 	backchannelLogoutPath      string
 	frontchannelLogoutPath     string