Node.js Real-Time App Development

I’m ready to kick-off a real-time application and need a Node.js expert who knows how to keep latency low and code clean. The first milestone is a working proof-of-concept that lets multiple clients connect via WebSocket (Socket.IO or a comparable library), exchange events instantly, and expose a simple REST endpoint for health checks and authentication.

You’ll architect a modular, scalable codebase in Node.js 18+ (TypeScript preferred), wrap it in Docker for easy local testing, and document every step so I can spin it up with a single npm install && npm start. I want to see unit tests around the critical paths and a README that explains how to add new events or swap in alternate transports later.

Deliverables:
• Node.js project with WebSocket gateway and sample publish/subscribe events
• REST health-check and auth endpoints
• Dockerfile + docker-compose.yml for local runs
• Jest unit tests covering connection, broadcast, and edge cases
• Clear README with setup, env-vars, and extension guidelines
. Project already available and created; just need a developer to launch it on the local website.

Acceptance criteria: After setup, I should be able to connect two browser clients, send a message from one, and watch it appear on the other within 200 ms on a local network, with /health returning 200 OK.

Experience with Redis pub/sub, scalable Socket.IO clusters, or AWS/GCP WebSocket services will set you apart, as these are on the roadmap for the next phase. Share a link or brief summary of a similar real-time project you’ve delivered, and let’s get started.