- Can I use phrity/websocket to replace Laravel Echo/Pusher in my Laravel app?
- Yes, this package can fully replace Laravel Echo or Pusher for custom WebSocket endpoints. It supports both client and server modes, allowing you to build real-time features like chat or notifications without third-party dependencies. Use it alongside Laravel’s event system for seamless integration.
- How do I authenticate WebSocket connections in Laravel with Sanctum or JWT?
- You can authenticate WebSocket connections by extending the middleware system. For Sanctum, validate tokens in a custom middleware attached to the server, then grant access to specific routes. For JWT, decode the token during the handshake and attach user data to the connection object.
- Does phrity/websocket support Laravel’s logging system (Log facade) for debugging?
- Yes, you can integrate Laravel’s Log facade by injecting it into your custom middleware or server callbacks. For example, log connection events or errors using `Log::debug()` or `Log::error()` for consistency with Laravel’s logging standards.
- What’s the best way to monitor WebSocket connections in Laravel (e.g., Sentry or Prometheus)?
- For Sentry, wrap WebSocket events (e.g., `onOpen`, `onClose`) in try-catch blocks and report exceptions. For Prometheus, expose metrics via middleware (e.g., track active connections, message counts) and use Laravel’s Prometheus client integration.
- How do I handle WebSocket failures in production (e.g., fallback to SSE or polling)?
- Implement a retry mechanism with exponential backoff in your client code. For fallbacks, detect WebSocket disconnections via `onClose` events and switch to Server-Sent Events (SSE) or polling using Laravel’s HTTP client or queue jobs.
- Is phrity/websocket compatible with Laravel 10+ and PHP 8.5+?
- Yes, the package is fully compatible with Laravel 10+ and PHP 8.5+. It leverages modern PHP features and PSR standards (PSR-7, PSR-17) that Laravel already supports. For older Laravel versions, you may need to pin dependencies or use polyfills.
- How do I configure SSL/TLS for wss:// in Laravel?
- SSL/TLS is configured via the server’s context settings. Use Laravel’s `config/websockets.php` or environment variables to specify the SSL certificate path and key. The package supports standard OpenSSL configurations, so ensure your server has valid certificates.
- Can I use phrity/websocket with Laravel Horizon for scaling WebSocket connections?
- While the package itself is thread-safe for multi-connections, scaling requires additional infrastructure. Use Laravel Horizon to manage WebSocket workers alongside queues, but note that WebSocket connections are stateful—consider load balancing with tools like Nginx or Envoy for high traffic.
- What alternatives exist to phrity/websocket for Laravel WebSockets?
- Alternatives include `beyondcode/laravel-websockets` (built on Ratchet), `reactphp/websocket` (Reactor-based), or `pusher/pusher-php-sdk` (official Pusher client). This package stands out for its middleware system, deflate compression, and direct Laravel integration without extra dependencies.
- How do I create a custom Artisan command to start/stop the WebSocket server in Laravel?
- Extend Laravel’s `Artisan::command()` to instantiate the WebSocket server and manage its lifecycle. For example, create `php artisan websocket:start` to launch the server with SSL and logging, then use Laravel’s process management (e.g., Supervisor) to keep it running in production.