# Getting Started
This guide walks you through setting up MqttX as a client, a server, or a standalone packet codec.
## Installation
Add `mqttx` to your dependencies in `mix.exs`:
```elixir
def deps do
[
{:mqttx, "~> 0.7.0"},
# Pick a transport for the server (optional)
{:thousand_island, "~> 1.4"}, # or {:ranch, "~> 2.2"}
# WebSocket transport (optional)
{:bandit, "~> 1.6"},
{:websock_adapter, "~> 0.5"},
# Payload codecs (optional)
{:protox, "~> 2.0"}
]
end
```
The core codec has **zero external dependencies** - you only need a transport adapter if you're running the server.
## Connect to a Broker
```elixir
{:ok, client} = MqttX.Client.connect(
host: "localhost",
port: 1883,
client_id: "my_client"
)
# Subscribe to a topic
:ok = MqttX.Client.subscribe(client, "sensors/#", qos: 1)
# Publish a message
:ok = MqttX.Client.publish(client, "sensors/temp", "25.5")
# Disconnect
:ok = MqttX.Client.disconnect(client)
```
See the [Client Guide](client.md) for TLS, session persistence, and message handling.
## Run an MQTT Server
Create a handler module:
```elixir
defmodule MyApp.MqttHandler do
use MqttX.Server
@impl true
def init(_opts), do: %{}
@impl true
def handle_connect(client_id, _credentials, state) do
IO.puts("Connected: #{client_id}")
{:ok, state}
end
@impl true
def handle_publish(topic, payload, _opts, state) do
IO.puts("#{inspect(topic)}: #{payload}")
{:ok, state}
end
@impl true
def handle_subscribe(topics, state) do
{:ok, Enum.map(topics, & &1.qos), state}
end
@impl true
def handle_disconnect(_reason, _state), do: :ok
end
```
Start it:
```elixir
{:ok, _pid} = MqttX.Server.start_link(
MyApp.MqttHandler,
[],
transport: MqttX.Transport.ThousandIsland,
port: 1883
)
```
See the [Server Guide](server.md) for transport adapters, topic routing, and retained messages.
## Use the Codec Standalone
The packet codec works without a server or client:
```elixir
# Encode
packet = %{type: :publish, topic: "test/topic", payload: "hello", qos: 0, retain: false}
{:ok, binary} = MqttX.Packet.Codec.encode(4, packet)
# Decode
{:ok, {decoded, _rest}} = MqttX.Packet.Codec.decode(4, binary)
```
See the [Codec & Payloads Guide](codec.md) for payload codecs and protocol details.
## What's Next?
- [Client Guide](client.md) - TLS/SSL, session persistence, QoS, message handling
- [Server Guide](server.md) - Transport adapters, topic routing, will messages
- [Codec & Payloads](codec.md) - Standalone codec, JSON/Protobuf/Raw payloads
- [Telemetry](telemetry.md) - Observability and metrics
- [Performance](performance.md) - Scaling to hundreds of thousands of devices, architecture decisions