AbsoluteJS

Networking Plugin

Start your server with automatic environment configuration and network exposure via the --host flag.

#Usage

Add the networking plugin at the end of your Elysia chain with .use(networking):

TS
import { networking } from '@absolutejs/absolute';
import { Elysia } from 'elysia';

new Elysia()
  .get('/', () => handleReactPageRequest({ Page: Home, index: indexPath }))
  .use(networking);  // Starts the server: no .listen() needed

The networking plugin replaces .listen(). It reads your environment configuration and starts the server automatically.

#How It Works

When you .use(networking), the plugin handles server startup:

TS
// The networking plugin does everything when you .use() it:
// 1. Reads HOST and PORT from environment variables
// 2. Checks for the --host flag
// 3. Starts the server with the correct configuration
// 4. Logs the connection info

new Elysia()
  .get('/', handler)
  .post('/api', handler)
  .use(networking);  // Starts the server
1
Reads environment
Gets HOST and PORT from your .env file
2
Checks --host flag
Binds to 0.0.0.0 if --host is passed
3
Starts server
Calls .listen() internally with the correct configuration
4
Logs info
Outputs the server URL and network address

#Environment Variables

The plugin reads HOST and PORT from your environment:

BASH
# .env file
HOST=localhost
PORT=3000

# The networking plugin reads these automatically
# HOST defaults to 'localhost'
# PORT defaults to 3000

#The --host Flag

Use the --host flag to expose your server to the network:

BASH
# Run with --host flag to expose to network
bun run src/backend/server.ts --host

# This binds to 0.0.0.0 instead of localhost
# Useful for testing on mobile devices or local network access

#Startup Logging

The plugin logs connection information when the server starts. The Network line only appears when the server is exposed with --host:

absolute dev
Server running at http://localhost:3000
Network: http://192.168.1.100:3000

#Full Example

A complete server setup with the networking plugin:

TS
import { Elysia } from 'elysia';
import { prepare, asset, networking } from '@absolutejs/absolute';
import { handleReactPageRequest } from '@absolutejs/absolute/react';
import Home from './pages/Home';

const { absolutejs, manifest } = await prepare();

new Elysia()
  .use(absolutejs)
  .get('/', () => handleReactPageRequest({ Page: Home, index: asset(manifest, 'HomeIndex') }))
  .get('/api/health', () => ({ status: 'ok' }))
  .use(networking);