laravel-websocket

When to use

Use when implementing real-time features — WebSockets, Broadcasting, or persistent connections.

Do NOT use when:

• REST API endpoints (use api-design skill)
• Reverb server setup/deployment (use laravel-reverb skill)

Procedure: Create a broadcast event

Step 0: Inspect

1. Check config/broadcasting.php for driver (Reverb, Pusher, Ably).
2. Check existing broadcast events — match patterns.
3. Check routes/channels.php for channel authorization.

Step 1: Create event class

1. Implement ShouldBroadcast.
2. Define broadcastOn() with appropriate channel type (public/private/presence).
3. Define broadcastAs() for event name.
4. Define broadcastWith() — small payload (IDs + changed fields only).

Step 2: Authorize channel

Add authorization in routes/channels.php for private/presence channels.

Step 3: Client setup

Use Laravel Echo to listen on the channel. Wire up reconnection with exponential backoff.

Conventions

→ See guideline php/websocket.md for broadcasting setup, channel types, connection management, Echo.

Validate

• Verify private/presence channels have authorization in routes/channels.php.
• Confirm event implements ShouldBroadcast (or ShouldBroadcastNow).
• Check that no sensitive data is broadcast on public channels.
• Test client receives event — use browser console or Echo debug mode.

Output format

1. Event class with broadcastOn() and channel definitions
2. Client-side listener integration code

Gotcha

• Connections are stateful — don't assume they persist after page navigation.
• Always implement reconnection with exponential backoff.
• Don't broadcast sensitive data on public channels — use private/presence.

Do NOT

• Do NOT send entire model objects — select only needed fields.
• Do NOT skip channel authorization for user-specific data.
• Do NOT rely on WebSocket delivery — use acknowledgments for critical messages.

Auto-trigger keywords

• WebSocket
• real-time
• broadcasting
• Laravel Echo
• channel authorization
• ShouldBroadcast