FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp · Lesson

Implementing WebSockets in FastAPI

Learn to add WebSocket endpoints to your FastAPI application and handle connections.

Implementing WebSockets in FastAPI is a free FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Real-time with FastAPI WebSockets

Welcome to implementing WebSockets with FastAPI! WebSockets provide a persistent, full-duplex communication channel between a client and a server.

Full-duplex: Both client and server can send and receive messages simultaneously.
Real-time: Ideal for applications needing instant updates, like chat, live dashboards, or gaming.

FastAPI has excellent built-in support for WebSockets, leveraging Python's async/await features.

Defining a WebSocket Endpoint

Just like HTTP endpoints, you define WebSocket endpoints using a decorator. Instead of @app.get() or @app.post(), you use @app.websocket().

Your endpoint function must be async def and accept a websocket: WebSocket parameter. This WebSocket object is your primary tool for interaction.

The first step inside your function is always to await websocket.accept() to establish the connection.

Your First WebSocket Connection

Let's create our first WebSocket endpoint. This simple example accepts a connection, sends a welcome message, and then closes the connection.

Notice the @app.websocket("/ws") decorator and the async def function, which are key for WebSocket handling.

Try running this example and observe the connection:

from fastapi import FastAPI, WebSocket

app = FastAPI()

@app.websocket("/ws")
async def websocket_endpoint(websocket: WebSocket):
    await websocket.accept()
    await websocket.send_text("Welcome! Connection established.")
    await websocket.close()

Handling WebSocket Disconnections

WebSocket connections can be interrupted for various reasons (client closes tab, network error). It's crucial to handle these disconnections gracefully.

FastAPI raises a WebSocketDisconnect exception when a client disconnects. You can catch this exception to perform cleanup tasks, like removing the client from a list of active connections.

Wrap your WebSocket communication logic in a try...except WebSocketDisconnect block.

Receiving Messages from Clients

Once connected, your server can receive messages from the client. The WebSocket object provides methods for this:

await websocket.receive_text(): For receiving string data.
await websocket.receive_bytes(): For receiving binary data.
await websocket.receive_json(): For receiving JSON data (requires python-multipart).

These operations are asynchronous, so always use await.

Echoing Client Messages Back

This example demonstrates a simple 'echo' server. It accepts a connection, then continuously receives messages from the client and sends them back.

The while True loop keeps the connection open, and the try...except WebSocketDisconnect handles when the client leaves.

from fastapi import FastAPI, WebSocket, WebSocketDisconnect

app = FastAPI()

@app.websocket("/ws/echo")
async def websocket_echo(websocket: WebSocket):
    await websocket.accept()
    try:
        while True:
            data = await websocket.receive_text()
            print(f"Received from client: {data}")
            await websocket.send_text(f"Server echoed: {data}")
    except WebSocketDisconnect:
        print("Client disconnected.")

Sending Messages to Clients

Similarly, your server can send messages to the client. The WebSocket object offers:

await websocket.send_text("your message"): To send string data.
await websocket.send_bytes(b"your bytes"): To send binary data.
await websocket.send_json({"key": "value"}): To send JSON data.

Remember to await these calls. It's common to send a response right after receiving a message.

Working with JSON Data

For structured data, sending and receiving JSON is preferred. FastAPI's WebSocket object handles serialization/deserialization for you.

Sending: Pass a Python dict to send_json().
Receiving: receive_json() returns a Python dict.

This simplifies data exchange compared to manually parsing strings.

Simple Connection Manager

For applications with multiple clients, you'll need to manage active connections. A common pattern is to use a class to keep track of all connected WebSocket objects.

This manager can then be used to add/remove connections and send messages to specific clients or broadcast to all.

from fastapi import WebSocket

class ConnectionManager:
    def __init__(self):
        self.active_connections: list[WebSocket] = []

    async def connect(self, websocket: WebSocket):
        await websocket.accept()
        self.active_connections.append(websocket)

    def disconnect(self, websocket: WebSocket):
        self.active_connections.remove(websocket)

    async def send_personal_message(self, message: str, websocket: WebSocket):
        await websocket.send_text(message)

# In a real app, you'd integrate 'manager' into your FastAPI endpoint
manager = ConnectionManager()

WebSocket Interaction Check

You've learned the basics of setting up and interacting with WebSocket connections in FastAPI.

Let's check your understanding of accepting new connections.

Recap: Implementing WebSockets

You've successfully learned how to implement WebSockets in FastAPI!

Use @app.websocket() to define endpoints.
Always await websocket.accept() to establish the connection.
Handle disconnections with try...except WebSocketDisconnect.
Use await websocket.receive_text() and await websocket.send_text() for communication.
For structured data, send_json() and receive_json() are your friends.

Next, you'll build a real-time chat application to put these concepts into practice!

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Implementing WebSockets in FastAPI” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Implementing WebSockets in FastAPI” is free to read here on the web, and the FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Implementing WebSockets in FastAPI”?

Learn to add WebSocket endpoints to your FastAPI application and handle connections. You practise FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp?

No prior experience is required. FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Implementing WebSockets in FastAPI” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp lesson?

Yes. Every FastAPI Backend Development Bootcamp lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

WebSocket Protocol Fundamentals
Implementing WebSockets in FastAPI
Building a Real-time Chat Application
Scaling WebSockets with a Pub/Sub Backplane

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