What are web push notifications?
Web push notifications allow websites to send messages to users even when the browser tab is closed. They use the Push API and Notification API together with a service worker to deliver real-time alerts. The protocol relies on VAPID (Voluntary Application Server Identification) keys for authentication between your server and the push service.
How it works
The browser requests permission, registers a service worker, and subscribes to a push service (e.g., FCM, Mozilla Push). The subscription contains an endpoint URL and encryption keys. Your server sends a push message to that endpoint, and the service worker receives it in the background and displays a notification via self.registration.showNotification().
How to use this tool
- Grant notification permission when prompted by the browser
- Generate or enter VAPID keys for push subscription
- Send test notifications and inspect them in the log
Common use cases
- Testing push notification setup during PWA development
- Generating VAPID key pairs for server configuration
- Debugging notification permissions and subscription flow
- Verifying notification payloads and display formatting
