WebSocket Sessions

SendPad has first-class WebSocket support via .ws files. Use them interactively (connect, compose, send in real time) or run scripted sessions with assertions and extraction — just like .flow files.

Interactive mode

1. Open a .ws file
2. Press ⌘Enter to connect
3. The Session Panel shows the message timeline in real time
4. Type in the compose bar and press Enter to send

Connections persist when you switch files — incoming messages buffer in the background. The header badge shows active connection count.

Scripted mode

Press ⌘⇧Enter to run all ### message blocks sequentially as a scripted test. Assertions and extractions work exactly like .flow files.

@url = wss://api.example.com/ws
@headers
Authorization: Bearer {{API_TOKEN}}

### Authenticate
> {"type": "auth", "token": "{{API_TOKEN}}"}
# @expect within 5000
< {"type": "auth_ok"}
# @extract sessionId = $.session_id
# @assert body contains "auth_ok"

### Subscribe
> {"type": "subscribe", "channel": "prices"}
# @expect within 3000
< {"type": "subscribed"}
# @assert body contains "subscribed"

Connection identity

Each (file path, environment) pair has its own connection. The same .ws file with different active environments creates separate, independent connections — useful for multi-client testing.

Session Panel

The Session Panel (shown when a .ws file is active) shows:

• Connection status badge — Connecting / Connected / Disconnected / Reconnecting
• Message timeline — sent messages (→), received messages (←), system events
• Assertion badges — ✅ / ❌ per scripted step
• Compose bar — type and send ad-hoc messages
• Pipeline view — visual step-by-step progress for scripted runs

Reconnect

Enable auto-reconnect with exponential backoff:

@url = wss://api.example.com/ws
@reconnect on

Global reconnect defaults live in Settings → WebSocket: initial delay, max delay, max attempts (0 = infinite). While reconnecting, the Session Panel shows a live countdown and a Cancel reconnect button.

Keyboard shortcuts

Key	Action
⌘Enter	Connect (if disconnected)
⌘Enter	Disconnect (if connected)
⌘⇧Enter	Run all steps (scripted mode)
Enter	Send from compose bar
⇧Enter	Newline in compose bar

See the .ws file format reference for the full syntax including all directives, authentication patterns, and binary frame support.