# Action Cable Patterns

Implements real-time features with Action Cable and WebSockets.

- Repository: https://github.com/ThibautBaissac/rails_ai_agents (671 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-06-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add ThibautBaissac/rails_ai_agents --skill action-cable-patterns -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add ThibautBaissac/rails_ai_agents --skill action-cable-patterns -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add ThibautBaissac/rails_ai_agents --skill action-cable-patterns -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add ThibautBaissac/rails_ai_agents --skill action-cable-patterns -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Implements real-time features with Action Cable and WebSockets. Use when adding live updates, chat features, notifications, real-time dashboards, or when user mentions Action Cable, WebSockets, channels, or real-time. WHEN NOT: Simple HTTP request/response flows, REST APIs, static content, or features that don't need real-time updates.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Action Cable Patterns for Rails 8

## Overview

Action Cable integrates WebSockets with Rails:
- Real-time updates without polling
- Server-to-client push notifications
- Chat and messaging features
- Live dashboards and feeds
- Collaborative editing

## Quick Start

Action Cable is included in Rails by default. Configure it:

```ruby
# config/cable.yml
development:
  adapter: async

test:
  adapter: test

production:
  adapter: solid_cable  # Rails 8 default
  # OR
  adapter: redis
  url: <%= ENV.fetch("REDIS_URL") %>
```

## Project Structure

```
app/
├── channels/
│   ├── application_cable/
│   │   ├── connection.rb      # Authentication
│   │   └── channel.rb         # Base channel
│   ├── notifications_channel.rb
│   ├── events_channel.rb
│   └── chat_channel.rb
├── javascript/
│   └── channels/
│       ├── consumer.js
│       ├── notifications_channel.js
│       └── events_channel.js
spec/channels/
├── notifications_channel_spec.rb
└── events_channel_spec.rb
```

## Connection Authentication

```ruby
# app/channels/application_cable/connection.rb
module ApplicationCable
  class Connection < ActionCable::Connection::Base
    identified_by :current_user

    def connect
      self.current_user = find_verified_user
    end

    private

    def find_verified_user
      # Using Rails 8 authentication
      if session_token = cookies.signed[:session_token]
        if session = Session.find_by(token: session_token)
          session.user
        else
          reject_unauthorized_connection
        end
      else
        reject_unauthorized_connection
      end
    end
  end
end
```

## Channel Patterns

Four core patterns are available. See [channel-patterns.md](references/channel-patterns.md) for full Ruby and JavaScript implementations:

The rest: https://github.com/ThibautBaissac/rails_ai_agents/blob/HEAD/.agents/skills/action-cable-patterns/SKILL.md