Routing patterns for manageable Phoenix Channels

Phoenix Channels, a WebSocket-based interface, are central to Felt's collaborative features, offering a different architecture compared to traditional HTTP APIs. While HTTP APIs use routes and controllers for organization and authentication, Phoenix Channels manage events through pattern matching in a single module, which can become unwieldy as features expand. To address this, the text explores methods to improve channel organization, such as using namespaces for events, adopting a router-like pattern, and implementing plug-like functions to handle common tasks like authentication. It introduces the ChannelHandler library, which encapsulates these strategies into a declarative API, allowing for more structured and maintainable channel code by mimicking traditional HTTP routing, offering compile-time validation, and providing a clearer overview of channel capabilities. The text highlights the ongoing challenges in managing live processes and emphasizes the benefits of adopting a structured approach to Phoenix Channel development.