byteNative
Backend

Socket.IO

Bidirectional realtime communication for chats, live data and more.

What is Socket.IO?

Socket.IO enables communication in realtime, with server and client talking to each other in both directions. Over WebSockets, messages flow back and forth without constant polling, with an automatic fallback should a connection weaken. Beyond the bare connection, Socket.IO ships handy building blocks like named events, rooms for grouping clients and automatic reconnection. We use it to build chats, live dashboards, instant notifications and collaborative work in the same view.

More in the documentation

How we use it

We reach for it as soon as something on screen should update instantly without you reloading the page. Through rooms we send updates only to the clients that have a particular project or document open. That keeps traffic small and the interface in sync for everyone involved.

ts
import { Server } from "socket.io";

const io = new Server(3000);

io.on("connection", (socket) => {
  socket.join("project-42");
  io.to("project-42").emit("user-joined", { id: socket.id });
});
server emitting an event to a room

Good to know

As soon as more than one server process runs, clients in different processes can no longer reach each other on their own. We put an adapter such as Redis in between, so events reach every recipient across all instances.

00Backend

More tools we work with in the same area.

Which technology fits you?

You don't have to decide that, it's our job. Tell us about your plans.