> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cometchat-22654f5b-docs-v6-beta2-flutter-uikit.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Managing Web Sockets Connections Manually
> Learn how to manually manage WebSocket connections for real-time messaging using the CometChat JavaScript SDK.
```javascript theme={null}
// Disable auto WebSocket connection during init
const appSettings = new CometChat.AppSettingsBuilder()
.setRegion("REGION")
.autoEstablishSocketConnection(false)
.build();
await CometChat.init("APP_ID", appSettings);
// Manually connect/disconnect
CometChat.connect();
CometChat.disconnect();
```
By default, the SDK automatically establishes and manages the WebSocket connection — it connects on login, reconnects on `init()` when a session exists, and handles reconnection on network drops. This page covers how to disable that and manage the connection yourself.
You'd want manual control when you need to conserve resources by connecting only when the user is actively chatting, or when you need precise control over when real-time events start flowing.
## Default Behavior
When `autoEstablishSocketConnection` is `true` (the default):
1. `CometChat.login()` logs the user in, saves their session locally, and opens a WebSocket connection
2. On app restart, `CometChat.init()` automatically reconnects using the saved session
3. The user immediately starts receiving real-time messages, presence updates, and call events
## Manual Connection Management
To take control of the WebSocket connection, set `autoEstablishSocketConnection(false)` during initialization:
```typescript theme={null}
let appID: string = "APP_ID";
let region: string = "APP_REGION";
let appSetting: CometChat.AppSettings = new CometChat.AppSettingsBuilder()
.subscribePresenceForAllUsers()
.setRegion(region)
.autoEstablishSocketConnection(false)
.build();
CometChat.init(appID, appSetting).then(
(isInitialized: boolean) => {
console.log("Initialization completed successfully");
},
(error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
console.log("Initialization failed with error:", error);
}
);
```
```javascript theme={null}
let appID = "APP_ID";
let region = "APP_REGION";
let appSetting = new CometChat.AppSettingsBuilder()
.subscribePresenceForAllUsers()
.setRegion(region)
.autoEstablishSocketConnection(false)
.build();
CometChat.init(appID, appSetting).then(
() => {
console.log("Initialization completed successfully");
},
(error) => {
console.log("Initialization failed with error:", error);
}
);
```
Once initialized with manual mode, use `connect()` and `disconnect()` to control the WebSocket connection.
### Connect
Establishes the WebSocket connection. The user must be logged in first (check with `CometChat.getLoggedinUser()`). Once connected, real-time events start flowing. Returns `void`.
```javascript theme={null}
CometChat.connect();
```
### Disconnect
Breaks the WebSocket connection. Real-time events stop until you call `connect()` again. Returns `void`.
```javascript theme={null}
CometChat.disconnect();
```
***
## Next Steps
Monitor the SDK connection state in real time
Listen for login and logout events
Complete reference for all SDK event listeners
SDK installation and initialization guide