# Azure Web Pubsub TS

> Real-time messaging with WebSocket connections and pub/sub patterns.

- Skill: `ranbot-ai/azure-web-pubsub-ts` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add ranbot-ai/azure-web-pubsub-ts`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ranbot-ai/azure-web-pubsub-ts/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: ranbot-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/ranbot-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ranbot-ai/azure-web-pubsub-ts

---



# Azure Web PubSub SDKs for TypeScript

Real-time messaging with WebSocket connections and pub/sub patterns.

## Installation

```bash
# Server-side management
npm install @azure/web-pubsub @azure/identity

# Client-side real-time messaging
npm install @azure/web-pubsub-client

# Express middleware for event handlers
npm install @azure/web-pubsub-express
```

## Environment Variables

```bash
WEBPUBSUB_CONNECTION_STRING=Endpoint=https://<resource>.webpubsub.azure.com;AccessKey=<key>;Version=1.0;
WEBPUBSUB_ENDPOINT=https://<resource>.webpubsub.azure.com
```

## Server-Side: WebPubSubServiceClient

### Authentication

```typescript
import { WebPubSubServiceClient, AzureKeyCredential } from "@azure/web-pubsub";
import { DefaultAzureCredential } from "@azure/identity";

// Connection string
const client = new WebPubSubServiceClient(
  process.env.WEBPUBSUB_CONNECTION_STRING!,
  "chat"  // hub name
);

// DefaultAzureCredential (recommended)
const client2 = new WebPubSubServiceClient(
  process.env.WEBPUBSUB_ENDPOINT!,
  new DefaultAzureCredential(),
  "chat"
);

// AzureKeyCredential
const client3 = new WebPubSubServiceClient(
  process.env.WEBPUBSUB_ENDPOINT!,
  new AzureKeyCredential("<access-key>"),
  "chat"
);
```

### Generate Client Access Token

```typescript
// Basic token
const token = await client.getClientAccessToken();
console.log(token.url);  // wss://...?access_token=...

// Token with user ID
const userToken = await client.getClientAccessToken({
  userId: "user123",
});

// Token with permissions
const permToken = await client.getClientAccessToken({
  userId: "user123",
  roles: [
    "webpubsub.joinLeaveGroup",
    "webpubsub.sendToGroup",
    "webpubsub.sendToGroup.chat-room",  // specific group
  ],
  groups: ["chat-room"],  // auto-join on connect
  expirationTimeInMinutes: 60,
});
```

### Send Messages

```typescript
// Broadcast to all connections in hub
await client.sendToAll({ message: "Hello everyone!" });
await client.sendToAll("Plain text", { contentType: "text/plain" });

// Send to specific user (all their connections)
await client.sendToUser("user123", { message: "Hello!" });

// Send to specific connection
await client.sendToConnection("connectionId", { data: "Direct message" });

// Send with filter (OData syntax)
await client.sendToAll({ message: "Filtered" }, {
  filter: "userId ne 'admin'",
});
```

### Group Management

```typescript
const group = client.group("chat-room");

// Add user/connection to group
await group.addUser("user123");
await group.addConnection("connectionId");

// Remove from group
await group.removeUser("user123");

// Send to group
await group.sendToAll({ message: "Group message" });

// Close all connections in group
await group.closeAllConnections({ reason: "Maintenance" });
```

### Connection Management

```typescript
// Check existence
const userExists = await client.userExists("user123");
const connExists = await client.connectionExists("connectionId");

// Close connections
await client.closeConnection("connectionId", { reason: "Kicked" });
await client.closeUserConnections("user123");
await client.closeAllConnections();

// Permissions
await client.grantPermission("connectionId", "sendToGroup", { targetName: "chat" });
await client.revokePermission("connectionId", "sendToGroup", { targetName: "chat" });
```

## Client-Side: WebPubSubClient

### Connect

```typescript
import { WebPubSubClient } from "@azure/web-pubsub-client";

// Direct URL
const client = new WebPubSubClient("<client-access-url>");

// Dynamic URL from negotiate endpoint
const client2 = new WebPubSubClient({
  getClientAccessUrl: async () => {
    const response = await fetch("/negotiate");
    const { url } = await response.json();
    return url;
  },
});

// Register handlers BEFORE starting
client.on("connected", (e) => {
  console.log(`Connected: ${e.connectionId}`);
});

client.on("group-message", (e) => {
  console.log(`${e.message.group}: ${e.message.data}`);
});

await client.start();
```

### Send Messages

```typescript
// Join group first
await client.joinGroup("chat-room");

// Send to group
await client.sendToGroup("chat-room", "Hello!", "text");
await client.sendToGroup("chat-room", { type: "message", content: "Hi" }, "json");

// Send options
await client.sendToGroup("chat-room", "Hello", "text", {
  noEcho: true,        // Don't echo back to sender
  fireAndForget: true, // Don't wait for ack
});

// Send event to server
await client.sendEvent("userAction", { action: "typing" }, "json");
```

### Event Handlers

```typescript
// Connection lifecycle
client.on("connected", (e) => {
  console.log(`Connected: ${e.connectionId}, User: ${e.userId}`);
});

client.on("disconnected", (e) => {
  console.log(`Disconnected: ${e.message}`);
});

client.on("stopped", () => {
  console.log("Client stopped");
});

// Messages
client.on("group-message", (e) => {
  console.log(`[${e.message.group}] ${e.message.fromUserId}: ${e.message.data}`);
});

client.on("server-message", (e