How to Build a Collaborative Editor with Next.js and Liveblocks Part 1

Collaborative applications are now essential in modern software, allowing multiple users to work on the same document, design, or codebase at the same time. Think of Google Docs, Figma, or multiplayer coding platforms these tools are powerful because they offer real-time collaboration, where every change is instantly visible to everyone.

In this two-part series, I'll show you how to build a collaborative text editor using Next.js and Liveblocks, a library that makes real-time collaboration easy. By the end, you'll have a working editor where multiple users can edit a document, see each other's changes in real-time, and track who is online and what they are doing.

What to Expect from This Guide?

Part 1: Understanding Collaborative Editors and the Role of Liveblocks

In the first part, we'll look at what collaborative editors are, how they work, and the technologies behind them. We'll focus on WebSockets for real-time updates and discuss how Liveblocks makes building these features easier.

Part 2: Building the Collaborative Editor Step-by-Step

In the second part, we'll start building the editor from scratch. We'll set up the project, integrate Liveblocks, and add features like real-time editing, user presence indicators, and managing document state. By the end, you'll have a live, shareable editor to show off.

Ready to get started? First, let's understand the basics of collaborative editors, the technology behind them, and why Liveblocks is perfect for building them.

What is a Collaborative Editor?

Imagine you're editing a document with a friend. You both see each other’s changes in real-time, making it feel like you're working on the same computer. That’s the magic of collaborative editors.

A collaborative editor is a software tool that lets multiple users work on the same document or file at the same time. Each user can make changes, and everyone sees these updates instantly. Examples include Google Docs, Notion, and Figma.

How Do Collaborative Editors Work?

Collaborative editors use real-time communication between users and a shared server. Here’s a simple overview of how it works

1. When a user edits the document, the changes are sent to the server.

2. The server processes these changes and sends them to all connected users.

3. Everyone’s view updates instantly, showing the changes in real-time.

In scenarios where multiple users make changes simultaneously, the editor must effectively manage these updates to ensure consistency. This is where the technology that enables this real-time synchronization comes into play: WebSockets.

The Technology Behind Real-Time Collaboration: WebSockets

Most traditional websites use HTTP requests to talk to servers. This works well for static pages but isn't quick enough for real-time apps like collaborative editors.

WebSockets fix this by allowing ongoing, two-way communication between the client and the server. Instead of sending separate requests for every update, a WebSocket connection stays open. This way, data can be sent and received instantly as changes occur.

Here's a simple explanation of how WebSocket communication works

1. User 1 makes an edit.

2. The server gets the edit and sends it to both User 1 and User 2.

3. User 2 makes an edit, and the server sends it to both users again.

This way, everyone sees the same document version in real-time.

Liveblocks: Simplifying Real-Time Collaboration

Building a collaborative editor from scratch is possible, but handling real-time sync, conflict resolution, and user presence can be tricky. This is where Liveblocks helps.

Liveblocks is a powerful library that makes building collaborative apps easier. Instead of writing all the WebSocket and state management code yourself, you can use Liveblocks’ built-in features, such as

• Presence: Track who is online and what they are doing.

• Storage: Share and sync documents, drawings, or any content.

• Room Management: Manage connections and permissions for multiple users.

Here’s why using Liveblocks can save you a lot of time:

1. Built-in Presence: See who’s editing, where their cursors are, and what they’re typing all in real-time.

2. Conflict Handling: Easily manage updates when multiple users make changes at the same time.

3. Simple Integration: It works seamlessly with popular frontend frameworks like Next.js, making it easier to build and scale.

By using Liveblocks, you can focus on building the core features of your editor without worrying about low-level communication details.

What’s Next?

In the next part of this article, we’ll dive into the code and build a collaborative editor using Next.js and Liveblocks. We’ll go through setting up a Liveblocks project, adding real-time collaboration, and features like user presence and shared editing.

Thanks for reading till the end! Stay tuned for a step-by-step guide to building your own collaborative editor from scratch.