io.Connect Browser

io.Connect Browser is a zero-install, browser-native platform that enables real-time data sharing and interaction between web applications. It runs entirely within modern browsers — no desktop agent or native installation required.

Architecture

io.Connect Browser uses a hub-and-spoke architecture within the browser:

  • Platform App (Hub) — The main web application that initializes the io.Connect environment using @interopio/browser-platform. It manages the messaging bus and hosts client apps, typically as iframes or in separate tabs.
  • Client Apps (Spokes) — Individual web applications using @interopio/browserthat connect to the Platform hub. Each client has full access to the io.Connect API surface.

Platform Initialization

main.tsx (Platform app)
import ReactDOM from "react-dom/client";
import IOBrowserPlatform from "@interopio/browser-platform";
import { IOConnectProvider } from "@interopio/react-hooks";
import type { IOConnectInitSettings } from "@interopio/react-hooks";
import App from "./App";

const settings: IOConnectInitSettings = {
  browserPlatform: {
    factory: IOBrowserPlatform,
    config: {
      licenseKey: import.meta.env.VITE_IOCONNECT_LICENSE_KEY,
    },
  },
};

ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById("root")!).render(
  <IOConnectProvider settings={settings} fallback={<div>Loading platform...</div>}>
    <App />
  </IOConnectProvider>
);

Client Initialization

main.tsx (Client app)
import ReactDOM from "react-dom/client";
import IOBrowser from "@interopio/browser";
import { IOConnectProvider } from "@interopio/react-hooks";
import type { IOConnectInitSettings } from "@interopio/react-hooks";
import App from "./App";

const settings: IOConnectInitSettings = {
  browser: {
    factory: IOBrowser,
  },
};

ReactDOM.createRoot(document.getElementById("root")!).render(
  <IOConnectProvider settings={settings} fallback={<div>Connecting...</div>}>
    <App />
  </IOConnectProvider>
);
License Keyio.Connect Browser Platform requires a license key for initialization. Store it in a .env file as VITE_IOCONNECT_LICENSE_KEY and contact interop.io to request an evaluation license.

Available APIs

Browser apps have access to the full io.Connect API surface:

NamespaceDescriptionFDC3 Equivalent
io.contextsShared Contexts — global state synchronizationApp Channels
io.channelsChannels — user-driven color-coded data linkingUser Channels
io.interopMethods (RPC) and Streams (pub/sub)—
io.intentsIntents — action-based workflow orchestrationFDC3 Intents

Supported Browsers

  • Google Chrome / Chromium (recommended)
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Safari
  • Firefox

FDC3 Support

io.Connect Browser supports the FDC3 Web Connection Protocol natively. FDC3-compliant applications can connect to the io.Connect Browser platform and participate in data sharing and intent workflows without any additional configuration.

Learn More

Quick Start

Set up your first Browser app in minutes

Architecture

Hub-and-spoke model explained

React Integration

Provider, hooks, and TypeScript patterns

External Documentation

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