How can I prevent "Log in to post comments" from displaying for anonymous users?

Question

How do I remove the "Log in to post comments" from the bottom of my content in Drupal 8 while keeping old comments visible to all and allowing existing registered users to still comment? Basically, I don't want anonymous users to find my login page, ever. These means no CSS hide or Javascript solutions (bots will still follow the link).

So, if comments exist on a node:

I want anonymous users to:

1. See the comments as usual
2. NOT see any sort of "add comment" link
3. NOT see any sort of "login/register" link either

I want authenticated users to:

1. See the comments as usual
2. See "add/reply" comment links as usual

If comments DO NOT exist on a node:

I want anonymous users to:

1. See NOTHING at the bottom of the node

I want authenticated users to:

1. See "add comment" link as usual

Answer 1

You can do it using hook_preprocess_HOOK
The following hooks should be placed in YOURTHEME.theme file:

1. Remove comment links from node for Anonymous user:

    /**
     * Implements hook_preprocess_HOOK().
     */
    function YOURTHEME_preprocess_links__node(&$variables) {
      if (\Drupal::currentUser()->isAnonymous()) {
        unset($variables['links']['comment-forbidden']);
      }
    }

2. Remove links from the comments for Anonymous user:

/**
 * Implements hook_preprocess_HOOK().
 */
function YOURTHEME_preprocess_links__comment(&$variables) {
  if (\Drupal::currentUser()->isAnonymous()) {
    unset($variables['links']['comment-forbidden']);
  }
}