
websockets
Implement real-time bidirectional communication with Socket.io and ws library for chat, notifications, and live dashboards
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/pluginagentmarketplace/custom-plugin-nodejs --skill websockets- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads websockets automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Node.js WebSockets Skill
Master real-time bidirectional communication for building chat apps, live notifications, collaborative tools, and real-time dashboards.
Quick Start
WebSocket server in 3 steps:
- Setup Server - Socket.io or ws library
- Handle Connections - Manage client lifecycle
- Emit Events - Send/receive messages
Core Concepts
Socket.io Server Setup
const express = require('express');
const { createServer } = require('http');
const { Server } = require('socket.io');
const app = express();
const httpServer = createServer(app);
const io = new Server(httpServer, {
cors: {
origin: 'http://localhost:3000',
methods: ['GET', 'POST']
}
});
io.on('connection', (socket) => {
console.log('User connected:', socket.id);
// Handle events
socket.on('chat:message', (data) => {
// Broadcast to all clients
io.emit('chat:message', {
...data,
timestamp: Date.now()
});
});
// Join rooms
socket.on('room:join', (roomId) => {
socket.join(roomId);
socket.to(roomId).emit('room:user-joined', socket.id);
});
// Handle disconnect
socket.on('disconnect', () => {
console.log('User disconnected:', socket.id);
});
});
httpServer.listen(3000);
Socket.io Client
import { io } from 'socket.io-client';
const socket = io('http://localhost:3000', {
auth: { token: 'jwt-token-here' }
});
socket.on('connect', () => {
console.log('Connected:', socket.id);
});
socket.on('chat:message', (message) => {
console.log('Received:', message);
});
// Send message
socket.emit('chat:message', {
text: 'Hello!',
userId: 'user123'
});
Learning Path
Beginner (1-2 weeks)
- ✅ Socket.io server setup
- ✅ Basic event emission
- ✅ Connect/disconnect handling
- ✅ Simple chat application
Intermediate (3-4 weeks)
- ✅ Rooms and namespaces
- ✅ Authentication middleware
- ✅ Broadcasting patterns
- ✅ Error handling
Advanced (5-6 weeks)
- ✅ Horizontal scaling with Redis
- ✅ Binary data transfer
- ✅ Reconnection strategies
- ✅ Performance optimization
Native ws Library
const WebSocket = require('ws');
const { createServer } = require('http');
const server = createServer();
const wss = new WebSocket.Server({ server });
wss.on('connection', (ws, req) => {
const ip = req.socket.remoteAddress;
console.log('Client connected from', ip);
// Handle messages
ws.on('message', (data) => {
const message = JSON.parse(data);
console.log('Received:', message);
// Echo back
ws.send(JSON.stringify({
type: 'echo',
data: message
}));
});
// Ping/pong heartbeat
ws.isAlive = true;
ws.on('pong', () => {
ws.isAlive = true;
});
ws.on('close', () => {
console.log('Client disconnected');
});
});
// Heartbeat interval
const interval = setInterval(() => {
wss.clients.forEach((ws) => {
if (!ws.isAlive) return ws.terminate();
ws.isAlive = false;
ws.ping();
});
}, 30000);
wss.on('close', () => clearInterval(interval));
server.listen(3000);
Rooms and Namespaces
// Namespaces for feature separation
const chatNamespace = io.of('/chat');
const notificationsNamespace = io.of('/notifications');
chatNamespace.on('connection', (socket) => {
// Chat-specific logic
socket.on('message', (msg) => {
chatNamespace.emit('message', msg);
});
});
notificationsNamespace.on('connection', (socket) => {
// Notification-specific logic
socket.on('subscribe', (topic) => {
socket.join(topic);
});
});
// Rooms within namespace
socket.on('join-channel', (channelId) => {
socket.join(`channel:${channelId}`);
// Send only to room
io.to(`channel:${channelId}`).emit('user-joined', {
userId: socket.userId,
channelId
});
});
// Leave room
socket.on('leave-channel', (channelId) => {
socket.leave(`channel:${channelId}`);
});
Authentication Middleware
const jwt = require('jsonwebtoken');
// Socket.io middleware
io.use((socket, next) => {
const token = socket.handshake.auth.token;
if (!token) {
return next(new Error('Authentication required'));
}
try {
const decoded = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET);
socket.userId = decoded.id;
socket.userRole = decoded.role;
next();
} catch (err) {
next(new Error('Invalid token'));
}
});
// Namespace-level auth
const adminNamespace = io.of('/admin');
adminNamespace.use((socket, next) => {
if (socket.userRole !== 'admin') {
return next(new Error('Admin access required'));
}
next();
});
Scaling with Redis Adapter
const { createAdapter } = require('@socket.io/redis-adapter');
const { createClient } = require('redis');
const pubClient = createClient({ url: 'redis://localhost:6379' });
const subClient = pubClient.duplicate();
Promise.all([pubClient.connect(), subClient.connect()]).then(() => {
io.adapter(createAdapter(pubClient, subClient));
console.log('Redis adapter connected');
});
// Now events are broadcast across all server instances
io.emit('notification', { message: 'Hello from any server!' });
Real-Time Patterns
Chat Application
// Server
io.on('connection', (socket) => {
socket.on('chat:join', ({ room, username }) => {
socket.join(room);
socket.to(room).emit('chat:user-joined', { username });
});
socket.on('chat:message', ({ room, message }) => {
io.to(room).emit('chat:message', {
user: socket.userId,
message,
timestamp: Date.now()
});
});
socket.on('chat:typing', ({ room }) => {
socket.to(room).emit('chat:typing', { user: socket.userId });
});
});
Live Notifications
// Server
function sendNotification(userId, notification) {
io.to(`user:${userId}`).emit('notification', notification);
}
// Join user's personal room
socket.on('authenticate', () => {
socket.join(`user:${socket.userId}`);
});
// From any service
notificationService.on('new', (userId, data) => {
sendNotification(userId, data);
});
Live Dashboard
// Server: broadcast metrics periodically
setInterval(async () => {
const metrics = await getSystemMetrics();
io.emit('metrics:update', metrics);
}, 1000);
// Or on-demand updates
database.onChange((change) => {
io.to(`dashboard:${change.collection}`).emit('data:update', change);
});
Error Handling
// Client-side reconnection
const socket = io({
reconnection: true,
reconnectionAttempts: 5,
reconnectionDelay: 1000,
reconnectionDelayMax: 5000
});
socket.on('connect_error', (err) => {
console.log('Connection error:', err.message);
});
socket.on('reconnect', (attemptNumber) => {
console.log('Reconnected after', attemptNumber, 'attempts');
});
socket.on('reconnect_failed', () => {
console.log('Failed to reconnect');
// Fallback to polling or show offline UI
});
// Server-side error handling
socket.on('error', (error) => {
console.error('Socket error:', error);
});
Unit Test Template
const { createServer } = require('http');
const { Server } = require('socket.io');
const Client = require('socket.io-client');
describe('WebSocket Server', () => {
let io, serverSocket, clientSocket;
beforeAll((done) => {
const httpServer = createServer();
io = new Server(httpServer);
httpServer.listen(() => {
const port = httpServer.address().port;
clientSocket = Client(`http://localhost:${port}`);
io.on('connection', (socket) => {
serverSocket = socket;
});
clientSocket.on('connect', done);
});
});
afterAll(() => {
io.close();
clientSocket.close();
});
it('should receive message from client', (done) => {
serverSocket.on('hello', (arg) => {
expect(arg).toBe('world');
done();
});
clientSocket.emit('hello', 'world');
});
it('should broadcast to clients', (done) => {
clientSocket.on('broadcast', (arg) => {
expect(arg).toBe('everyone');
done();
});
io.emit('broadcast', 'everyone');
});
});
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Connection drops | No heartbeat | Enable pingInterval/pingTimeout |
| Messages not received | Wrong room | Verify room membership |
| Scaling issues | No Redis | Add Redis adapter |
| Memory leak | Listeners not removed | Clean up on disconnect |
When to Use
Use WebSockets when:
- Real-time bidirectional communication
- Low-latency updates needed
- Live notifications/chat
- Collaborative applications
- Gaming/trading platforms
Related Skills
- Express REST API (HTTP fallback)
- Microservices (distributed events)
- Redis (pub/sub scaling)
Resources
FAQ
What does the websockets skill do?
Implement real-time bidirectional communication with Socket.io and ws library for chat, notifications, and live dashboards
How do I install websockets?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/pluginagentmarketplace/custom-plugin-nodejs --skill websockets in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/websockets/ (personal) or .claude/skills/websockets/ (project).
Which AI agents can use websockets?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is websockets safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains websockets?
It is published by pluginagentmarketplace in pluginagentmarketplace/custom-plugin-nodejs. It has 83 recorded installs.
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