Integrating WebSocket with a standalone JS app using Rails ActionCable

Other Questions JavaScript
1

I’m working on a project where I need to connect a standalone JavaScript application to a Rails backend using ActionCable. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

I’ve set up a channel in Rails:

class ChatChannel < ApplicationCable::Channel
  def subscribed
    puts 'New user joined the chat'
    stream_for current_user
    broadcast(message: 'Hello, welcome to the chat!')
  end

  def unsubscribed
    puts 'User left the chat'
  end
end

And I’m trying to connect to it from my JavaScript app:

const ws = new WebSocket('wss://myapp.example.com/cable?token=abcdef&channel=ChatChannel');

ws.onopen = () => {
  console.log('Connected to chat');
  updateStatus('Connected');
};

ws.onmessage = (event) => {
  console.log('New message:', event.data);
};

The connection seems to work, but it’s not using the right channel. I only get these messages:

Connected to chat
New message: {"type":"welcome"}
New message: {"type":"ping","message":1234567890}

How can I make sure my JS app connects to the correct channel? Any help would be great!

2

I’ve dealt with a similar issue before. The problem is likely in how you’re initializing the connection. Instead of directly using WebSocket, you should use the ActionCable consumer.

Try this approach:

import { createConsumer } from '@rails/actioncable'

const consumer = createConsumer('wss://myapp.example.com/cable')
const channel = consumer.subscriptions.create('ChatChannel', {
  connected() {
    console.log('Connected to chat')
    updateStatus('Connected')
  },
  received(data) {
    console.log('New message:', data)
  }
})

This method ensures you’re connecting to the correct channel and handles the WebSocket connection details for you. Make sure you’ve properly set up your routes and CORS settings in Rails to allow the connection from your standalone JS app. Also, don’t forget to handle authentication if required.

3

I encountered a similar challenge when integrating WebSocket with a standalone JS app using Rails ActionCable. The key is to use the ActionCable JavaScript library, which handles the WebSocket connection and channel subscription for you.

Here’s what worked for me:

First, make sure you include the ActionCable JavaScript library in your project. You can either use a CDN or install it via npm.

Then, modify your JavaScript code to use ActionCable:

const cable = ActionCable.createConsumer('wss://myapp.example.com/cable')

const chatChannel = cable.subscriptions.create('ChatChannel', {
  connected() {
    console.log('Connected to chat channel')
    updateStatus('Connected')
  },
  received(data) {
    console.log('Received message:', data)
  }
})

This approach should correctly connect to your ChatChannel. Don’t forget to handle authentication if needed, typically by passing a token in the URL or headers when creating the consumer.

Also, ensure your Rails config/routes.rb file includes the necessary mount for ActionCable:

Rails.application.routes.draw do
  mount ActionCable.server => '/cable'
  # other routes...
end

Hope this helps you get your WebSocket connection working properly!

4

hey there! ive had similar issues. make sure ur using the ActionCable.createConsumer() function instead of raw WebSocket. it handles channel subscription for u. also, check ur rails routes and cors settings. good luck!