diff --git a/changelog.md b/changelog.md
index 16f7f13..8c4c2ca 100644
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 2026-02-26 - 1.3.0 - feat(transport)
+introduce transport abstraction and socket-mode support for RustBridge
+
+- Add IRustTransport interface and two transport implementations: StdioTransport (spawns child process and uses stdin/stdout) and SocketTransport (connects to Unix socket / Windows named pipe).
+- Refactor RustBridge to use a transport abstraction (connectWithTransport) and add connect(socketPath) to attach to an existing daemon via socket.
+- Introduce LineScanner: a buffer-based newline scanner used by both transports to handle large/newline-delimited messages and avoid OOMs.
+- Add socket connection options (autoReconnect, reconnectBaseDelayMs, reconnectMaxDelayMs, maxReconnectAttempts) and implement auto-reconnect/backoff behavior in SocketTransport.
+- Implement backpressure-aware write semantics and proper disconnect/cleanup for both transports; RustBridge.kill() now disconnects the transport instead of directly managing processes.
+- Add tests and tooling: socket transport tests, line scanner tests, and a mock-socket-server.mjs helper script for testing socket mode.
+- Export new symbols (StdioTransport, SocketTransport, LineScanner) and update plugins to expose net; update interfaces to export transport types.
+
 ## 2026-02-12 - 1.2.1 - fix(rust-binary-locator)
 auto-fix missing execute permission for located Rust binaries
 
diff --git a/test/helpers/mock-socket-server.mjs b/test/helpers/mock-socket-server.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68fc3dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/helpers/mock-socket-server.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+
+/**
+ * Mock "Rust daemon" for testing the SocketTransport and RustBridge socket mode.
+ * Creates a Unix socket server, accepts connections, and speaks the same
+ * JSON-over-newline IPC protocol as mock-rust-binary.mjs.
+ *
+ * Usage: node mock-socket-server.mjs <socket-path>
+ * Signals readiness by writing a JSON line to stdout: {"socketPath":"...","ready":true}
+ */
+
+import * as net from 'net';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+
+const socketPath = process.argv[2];
+if (!socketPath) {
+  process.stderr.write('Usage: mock-socket-server.mjs <socket-path>\n');
+  process.exit(1);
+}
+
+// Remove stale socket file
+try { fs.unlinkSync(socketPath); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+
+/**
+ * Backpressure-aware write to a socket.
+ */
+function writeResponse(conn, data) {
+  const json = JSON.stringify(data) + '\n';
+  if (!conn.write(json)) {
+    conn.once('drain', () => {});
+  }
+}
+
+function handleLine(line, conn) {
+  let request;
+  try {
+    request = JSON.parse(line);
+  } catch {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const { id, method, params } = request;
+
+  if (method === 'echo') {
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, success: true, result: params });
+  } else if (method === 'largeEcho') {
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, success: true, result: params });
+  } else if (method === 'error') {
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, success: false, error: 'Test error message' });
+  } else if (method === 'emitEvent') {
+    writeResponse(conn, { event: params.eventName, data: params.eventData });
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, success: true, result: null });
+  } else if (method === 'slow') {
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      writeResponse(conn, { id, success: true, result: { delayed: true } });
+    }, 100);
+  } else if (method === 'streamEcho') {
+    const count = params.count || 0;
+    let sent = 0;
+    const interval = setInterval(() => {
+      if (sent < count) {
+        writeResponse(conn, { id, stream: true, data: { index: sent, value: `chunk_${sent}` } });
+        sent++;
+      } else {
+        clearInterval(interval);
+        writeResponse(conn, { id, success: true, result: { totalChunks: count } });
+      }
+    }, 10);
+  } else if (method === 'streamError') {
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, stream: true, data: { index: 0, value: 'before_error' } });
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      writeResponse(conn, { id, success: false, error: 'Stream error after chunk' });
+    }, 20);
+  } else if (method === 'streamEmpty') {
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, success: true, result: { totalChunks: 0 } });
+  } else if (method === 'exit') {
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, success: true, result: null });
+    // In socket mode, 'exit' just closes this connection, not the server
+    setTimeout(() => conn.end(), 50);
+  } else {
+    writeResponse(conn, { id, success: false, error: `Unknown method: ${method}` });
+  }
+}
+
+const server = net.createServer((conn) => {
+  // Send ready event on each new connection
+  writeResponse(conn, { event: 'ready', data: { version: '1.0.0' } });
+
+  // Buffer-based newline scanner for incoming data
+  let buffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
+  conn.on('data', (chunk) => {
+    buffer = Buffer.concat([buffer, chunk]);
+    let idx;
+    while ((idx = buffer.indexOf(0x0A)) !== -1) {
+      const lineBuffer = buffer.subarray(0, idx);
+      buffer = buffer.subarray(idx + 1);
+      const line = lineBuffer.toString('utf8').trim();
+      if (line) {
+        handleLine(line, conn);
+      }
+    }
+  });
+
+  conn.on('error', () => { /* ignore client errors */ });
+});
+
+server.listen(socketPath, () => {
+  // Signal to parent that the server is ready
+  process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify({ socketPath, ready: true }) + '\n');
+});
+
+// Handle SIGTERM gracefully
+process.on('SIGTERM', () => {
+  server.close();
+  try { fs.unlinkSync(socketPath); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+  process.exit(0);
+});
+
+// Handle SIGINT
+process.on('SIGINT', () => {
+  server.close();
+  try { fs.unlinkSync(socketPath); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+  process.exit(0);
+});
diff --git a/test/test.linescanner.node.ts b/test/test.linescanner.node.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..048d977
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/test.linescanner.node.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+import { expect, tap } from '@git.zone/tstest/tapbundle';
+import { LineScanner } from '../ts/classes.linescanner.js';
+
+const noopLogger = { log() {} };
+
+tap.test('should parse a single complete line', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(1024 * 1024, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('{"hello":"world"}\n'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(1);
+  expect(lines[0]).toEqual('{"hello":"world"}');
+});
+
+tap.test('should parse multiple lines in one chunk', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(1024 * 1024, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('{"a":1}\n{"b":2}\n{"c":3}\n'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(3);
+  expect(lines[0]).toEqual('{"a":1}');
+  expect(lines[1]).toEqual('{"b":2}');
+  expect(lines[2]).toEqual('{"c":3}');
+});
+
+tap.test('should handle a line split across chunks', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(1024 * 1024, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('{"hel'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(0);
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('lo":"world"}\n'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(1);
+  expect(lines[0]).toEqual('{"hello":"world"}');
+});
+
+tap.test('should drop oversized lines', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(100, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  // Line is 200 chars + newline, exceeds maxPayloadSize of 100
+  const oversized = 'x'.repeat(200) + '\n';
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from(oversized), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(0);
+});
+
+tap.test('should clear buffer on OOM (no newline, exceeds max)', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(100, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  // Push 200 bytes without any newline — exceeds maxPayloadSize
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('x'.repeat(200)), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(0);
+  // After clearing, should work normally again
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('{"ok":true}\n'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(1);
+  expect(lines[0]).toEqual('{"ok":true}');
+});
+
+tap.test('should skip empty lines', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(1024 * 1024, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('\n\n{"a":1}\n\n'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(1);
+  expect(lines[0]).toEqual('{"a":1}');
+});
+
+tap.test('should handle mixed complete and partial lines', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(1024 * 1024, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  // First chunk: one complete line + start of second line
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('{"first":1}\n{"sec'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(1);
+  // Second chunk: end of second line + complete third line
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('ond":2}\n{"third":3}\n'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(3);
+  expect(lines[1]).toEqual('{"second":2}');
+  expect(lines[2]).toEqual('{"third":3}');
+});
+
+tap.test('clear should reset the buffer', async () => {
+  const scanner = new LineScanner(1024 * 1024, noopLogger);
+  const lines: string[] = [];
+  // Push partial data
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('{"partial":'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  // Clear
+  scanner.clear();
+  // Now push a complete new line — old partial should not affect it
+  scanner.push(Buffer.from('{"fresh":true}\n'), (line) => lines.push(line));
+  expect(lines.length).toEqual(1);
+  expect(lines[0]).toEqual('{"fresh":true}');
+});
+
+export default tap.start();
diff --git a/test/test.sockettransport.node.ts b/test/test.sockettransport.node.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1059353
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/test.sockettransport.node.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,312 @@
+import { expect, tap } from '@git.zone/tstest/tapbundle';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import * as childProcess from 'child_process';
+import * as os from 'os';
+import { RustBridge } from '../ts/classes.rustbridge.js';
+import type { ICommandDefinition } from '../ts/interfaces/index.js';
+
+const testDir = path.resolve(path.dirname(new URL(import.meta.url).pathname));
+const mockServerPath = path.join(testDir, 'helpers/mock-socket-server.mjs');
+
+// Define the command types for our mock binary
+type TMockCommands = {
+  echo: { params: Record<string, any>; result: Record<string, any> };
+  largeEcho: { params: Record<string, any>; result: Record<string, any> };
+  error: { params: {}; result: never };
+  emitEvent: { params: { eventName: string; eventData: any }; result: null };
+  slow: { params: {}; result: { delayed: boolean } };
+  exit: { params: {}; result: null };
+  streamEcho: { params: { count: number }; chunk: { index: number; value: string }; result: { totalChunks: number } };
+  streamError: { params: {}; chunk: { index: number; value: string }; result: never };
+  streamEmpty: { params: {}; chunk: never; result: { totalChunks: number } };
+};
+
+/**
+ * Start the mock socket server and return the socket path.
+ * Returns { proc, socketPath }.
+ */
+async function startMockServer(testName: string): Promise<{ proc: childProcess.ChildProcess; socketPath: string }> {
+  const socketPath = path.join(os.tmpdir(), `smartrust-test-${Date.now()}-${testName}.sock`);
+
+  const proc = childProcess.spawn('node', [mockServerPath, socketPath], {
+    stdio: ['pipe', 'pipe', 'pipe'],
+  });
+
+  // Wait for the server to signal readiness via stdout
+  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    let stdoutData = '';
+    const timeout = setTimeout(() => {
+      proc.kill();
+      reject(new Error('Mock server did not start within 5s'));
+    }, 5000);
+
+    proc.stdout!.on('data', (data: Buffer) => {
+      stdoutData += data.toString();
+      const lines = stdoutData.split('\n');
+      for (const line of lines) {
+        if (line.trim()) {
+          try {
+            const parsed = JSON.parse(line.trim());
+            if (parsed.ready) {
+              clearTimeout(timeout);
+              resolve({ proc, socketPath: parsed.socketPath });
+              return;
+            }
+          } catch { /* not JSON yet */ }
+        }
+      }
+    });
+
+    proc.on('error', (err) => {
+      clearTimeout(timeout);
+      reject(err);
+    });
+
+    proc.on('exit', (code) => {
+      clearTimeout(timeout);
+      reject(new Error(`Mock server exited with code ${code}`));
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+function stopMockServer(proc: childProcess.ChildProcess, socketPath: string) {
+  try { proc.kill('SIGTERM'); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+  try { fs.unlinkSync(socketPath); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+}
+
+// === Socket Transport Tests via RustBridge.connect() ===
+
+tap.test('socket: should connect and receive ready event', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('connect-ready');
+  try {
+    const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+    });
+
+    const result = await bridge.connect(socketPath);
+    expect(result).toBeTrue();
+    expect(bridge.running).toBeTrue();
+
+    bridge.kill();
+    expect(bridge.running).toBeFalse();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should send command and receive response', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('send-command');
+  try {
+    const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+    });
+
+    await bridge.connect(socketPath);
+
+    const result = await bridge.sendCommand('echo', { hello: 'world', num: 42 });
+    expect(result).toEqual({ hello: 'world', num: 42 });
+
+    bridge.kill();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should handle error responses', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('error-response');
+  try {
+    const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+    });
+
+    await bridge.connect(socketPath);
+
+    let threw = false;
+    try {
+      await bridge.sendCommand('error', {});
+    } catch (err: any) {
+      threw = true;
+      expect(err.message).toInclude('Test error message');
+    }
+    expect(threw).toBeTrue();
+
+    bridge.kill();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should receive custom events', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('custom-events');
+  try {
+    const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+    });
+
+    await bridge.connect(socketPath);
+
+    const eventPromise = new Promise<any>((resolve) => {
+      bridge.once('management:testEvent', (data) => resolve(data));
+    });
+
+    await bridge.sendCommand('emitEvent', {
+      eventName: 'testEvent',
+      eventData: { key: 'value' },
+    });
+
+    const eventData = await eventPromise;
+    expect(eventData).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
+
+    bridge.kill();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should handle multiple concurrent commands', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('concurrent');
+  try {
+    const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+    });
+
+    await bridge.connect(socketPath);
+
+    const results = await Promise.all([
+      bridge.sendCommand('echo', { id: 1 }),
+      bridge.sendCommand('echo', { id: 2 }),
+      bridge.sendCommand('echo', { id: 3 }),
+    ]);
+
+    expect(results[0]).toEqual({ id: 1 });
+    expect(results[1]).toEqual({ id: 2 });
+    expect(results[2]).toEqual({ id: 3 });
+
+    bridge.kill();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should handle 1MB payload round-trip', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('large-payload');
+  try {
+    const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+      requestTimeoutMs: 30000,
+    });
+
+    await bridge.connect(socketPath);
+
+    const largeString = 'x'.repeat(1024 * 1024);
+    const result = await bridge.sendCommand('largeEcho', { data: largeString });
+    expect(result.data).toEqual(largeString);
+    expect(result.data.length).toEqual(1024 * 1024);
+
+    bridge.kill();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should disconnect without killing the daemon', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('no-kill-daemon');
+  try {
+    // First connection
+    const bridge1 = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+    });
+    await bridge1.connect(socketPath);
+    expect(bridge1.running).toBeTrue();
+
+    // Disconnect
+    bridge1.kill();
+    expect(bridge1.running).toBeFalse();
+
+    // Second connection — daemon should still be alive
+    const bridge2 = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+    });
+    const result = await bridge2.connect(socketPath);
+    expect(result).toBeTrue();
+    expect(bridge2.running).toBeTrue();
+
+    // Verify the daemon is functional
+    const echoResult = await bridge2.sendCommand('echo', { reconnected: true });
+    expect(echoResult).toEqual({ reconnected: true });
+
+    bridge2.kill();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should stream responses via socket', async () => {
+  const { proc, socketPath } = await startMockServer('streaming');
+  try {
+    const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+      binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+      readyTimeoutMs: 5000,
+      requestTimeoutMs: 10000,
+    });
+
+    await bridge.connect(socketPath);
+
+    const stream = bridge.sendCommandStreaming('streamEcho', { count: 5 });
+    const chunks: Array<{ index: number; value: string }> = [];
+
+    for await (const chunk of stream) {
+      chunks.push(chunk);
+    }
+
+    expect(chunks.length).toEqual(5);
+    for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
+      expect(chunks[i].index).toEqual(i);
+      expect(chunks[i].value).toEqual(`chunk_${i}`);
+    }
+
+    const result = await stream.result;
+    expect(result.totalChunks).toEqual(5);
+
+    bridge.kill();
+  } finally {
+    stopMockServer(proc, socketPath);
+  }
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should return false when socket path does not exist', async () => {
+  const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+    binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+    readyTimeoutMs: 3000,
+  });
+
+  const result = await bridge.connect('/tmp/nonexistent-smartrust-test.sock');
+  expect(result).toBeFalse();
+  expect(bridge.running).toBeFalse();
+});
+
+tap.test('socket: should throw when sending command while not connected', async () => {
+  const bridge = new RustBridge<TMockCommands>({
+    binaryName: 'mock-daemon',
+  });
+
+  let threw = false;
+  try {
+    await bridge.sendCommand('echo', {});
+  } catch (err: any) {
+    threw = true;
+    expect(err.message).toInclude('not running');
+  }
+  expect(threw).toBeTrue();
+});
+
+export default tap.start();
diff --git a/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts b/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
index cf246af..8dfdf52 100644
--- a/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
+++ b/ts/00_commitinfo_data.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
  */
 export const commitinfo = {
   name: '@push.rocks/smartrust',
-  version: '1.2.1',
+  version: '1.3.0',
   description: 'a bridge between JS engines and rust'
 }
diff --git a/ts/classes.linescanner.ts b/ts/classes.linescanner.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..843378d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ts/classes.linescanner.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import type { IRustBridgeLogger } from './interfaces/index.js';
+
+/**
+ * Buffer-based newline scanner for streaming binary data.
+ * Accumulates chunks and emits complete lines via callback.
+ * Used by both StdioTransport and SocketTransport.
+ */
+export class LineScanner {
+  private buffer: Buffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
+  private maxPayloadSize: number;
+  private logger: IRustBridgeLogger;
+
+  constructor(maxPayloadSize: number, logger: IRustBridgeLogger) {
+    this.maxPayloadSize = maxPayloadSize;
+    this.logger = logger;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Feed a chunk of data. Calls onLine for each complete newline-terminated line found.
+   */
+  public push(chunk: Buffer, onLine: (line: string) => void): void {
+    this.buffer = Buffer.concat([this.buffer, chunk]);
+
+    let newlineIndex: number;
+    while ((newlineIndex = this.buffer.indexOf(0x0A)) !== -1) {
+      const lineBuffer = this.buffer.subarray(0, newlineIndex);
+      this.buffer = this.buffer.subarray(newlineIndex + 1);
+
+      if (lineBuffer.length > this.maxPayloadSize) {
+        this.logger.log('error', `Inbound message exceeds maxPayloadSize (${lineBuffer.length} bytes), dropping`);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      const line = lineBuffer.toString('utf8').trim();
+      if (line) {
+        onLine(line);
+      }
+    }
+
+    // Prevent OOM if sender never sends newline
+    if (this.buffer.length > this.maxPayloadSize) {
+      this.logger.log('error', `Buffer exceeded maxPayloadSize (${this.buffer.length} bytes) without newline, clearing`);
+      this.buffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /** Reset the internal buffer. */
+  public clear(): void {
+    this.buffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/ts/classes.rustbridge.ts b/ts/classes.rustbridge.ts
index 1537898..44d3651 100644
--- a/ts/classes.rustbridge.ts
+++ b/ts/classes.rustbridge.ts
@@ -1,15 +1,19 @@
 import * as plugins from './plugins.js';
 import { RustBinaryLocator } from './classes.rustbinarylocator.js';
 import { StreamingResponse } from './classes.streamingresponse.js';
+import { StdioTransport } from './classes.stdiotransport.js';
+import { SocketTransport } from './classes.sockettransport.js';
 import type {
   IRustBridgeOptions,
   IRustBridgeLogger,
+  ISocketConnectOptions,
   TCommandMap,
   IManagementRequest,
   IManagementResponse,
   IManagementEvent,
   TStreamingCommandKeys,
   TExtractChunk,
+  IRustTransport,
 } from './interfaces/index.js';
 
 const defaultLogger: IRustBridgeLogger = {
@@ -18,7 +22,8 @@ const defaultLogger: IRustBridgeLogger = {
 
 /**
  * Generic bridge between TypeScript and a Rust binary.
- * Communicates via JSON-over-stdin/stdout IPC protocol.
+ * Communicates via JSON-over-stdin/stdout IPC protocol (stdio mode)
+ * or JSON-over-Unix-socket/named-pipe (socket mode).
  *
  * @typeParam TCommands - Map of command names to their param/result types
  */
@@ -26,9 +31,7 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
   private locator: RustBinaryLocator;
   private options: Required<Pick<IRustBridgeOptions, 'cliArgs' | 'requestTimeoutMs' | 'readyTimeoutMs' | 'readyEventName' | 'maxPayloadSize'>> & IRustBridgeOptions;
   private logger: IRustBridgeLogger;
-  private childProcess: plugins.childProcess.ChildProcess | null = null;
-  private stdoutBuffer: Buffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
-  private stderrRemainder: string = '';
+  private transport: IRustTransport | null = null;
   private pendingRequests = new Map<string, {
     resolve: (value: any) => void;
     reject: (error: Error) => void;
@@ -63,71 +66,93 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
       return false;
     }
 
+    const transport = new StdioTransport({
+      binaryPath: this.binaryPath,
+      cliArgs: this.options.cliArgs,
+      env: this.options.env,
+      maxPayloadSize: this.options.maxPayloadSize,
+      logger: this.logger,
+    });
+
+    return this.connectWithTransport(transport);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Connect to an already-running Rust daemon via Unix socket or named pipe.
+   * Returns true if the connection was established and the daemon signaled readiness.
+   *
+   * @param socketPath - Path to Unix socket or Windows named pipe
+   * @param socketOptions - Optional socket connection options (reconnect, etc.)
+   */
+  public async connect(socketPath: string, socketOptions?: ISocketConnectOptions): Promise<boolean> {
+    const transport = new SocketTransport({
+      socketPath,
+      maxPayloadSize: this.options.maxPayloadSize,
+      logger: this.logger,
+      autoReconnect: socketOptions?.autoReconnect,
+      reconnectBaseDelayMs: socketOptions?.reconnectBaseDelayMs,
+      reconnectMaxDelayMs: socketOptions?.reconnectMaxDelayMs,
+      maxReconnectAttempts: socketOptions?.maxReconnectAttempts,
+    });
+
+    return this.connectWithTransport(transport);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Internal: wire up any transport and wait for the ready handshake.
+   */
+  private connectWithTransport(transport: IRustTransport): Promise<boolean> {
     return new Promise<boolean>((resolve) => {
       try {
-        const env = this.options.env
-          ? { ...process.env, ...this.options.env }
-          : { ...process.env };
+        this.transport = transport;
 
-        this.childProcess = plugins.childProcess.spawn(this.binaryPath!, this.options.cliArgs, {
-          stdio: ['pipe', 'pipe', 'pipe'],
-          env,
+        // Wire transport events
+        transport.on('line', (line: string) => this.handleLine(line));
+
+        transport.on('stderr', (line: string) => {
+          this.logger.log('debug', `[${this.options.binaryName}] ${line}`);
+          this.emit('stderr', line);
         });
 
-        // Handle stderr with cross-chunk buffering
-        this.childProcess.stderr?.on('data', (data: Buffer) => {
-          this.stderrRemainder += data.toString();
-          const lines = this.stderrRemainder.split('\n');
-          // Keep the last element (incomplete line) as remainder
-          this.stderrRemainder = lines.pop()!;
-          for (const line of lines) {
-            const trimmed = line.trim();
-            if (trimmed) {
-              this.logger.log('debug', `[${this.options.binaryName}] ${trimmed}`);
-              this.emit('stderr', trimmed);
-            }
-          }
-        });
-
-        // Handle stdout via Buffer-based newline scanner
-        this.childProcess.stdout!.on('data', (chunk: Buffer) => {
-          this.handleStdoutChunk(chunk);
-        });
-
-        // Handle process exit
-        this.childProcess.on('exit', (code, signal) => {
-          this.logger.log('info', `Process exited (code=${code}, signal=${signal})`);
-          // Flush any remaining stderr
-          if (this.stderrRemainder.trim()) {
-            this.logger.log('debug', `[${this.options.binaryName}] ${this.stderrRemainder.trim()}`);
-            this.emit('stderr', this.stderrRemainder.trim());
-          }
+        transport.on('close', (...args: any[]) => {
+          this.logger.log('info', `Transport closed`);
           this.cleanup();
-          this.emit('exit', code, signal);
+          this.emit('exit', ...args);
         });
 
-        this.childProcess.on('error', (err) => {
-          this.logger.log('error', `Process error: ${err.message}`);
+        transport.on('error', (err: Error) => {
+          this.logger.log('error', `Transport error: ${err.message}`);
           this.cleanup();
           resolve(false);
         });
 
-        // Wait for the ready event
-        const readyTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
-          this.logger.log('error', `Process did not send ready event within ${this.options.readyTimeoutMs}ms`);
-          this.kill();
-          resolve(false);
-        }, this.options.readyTimeoutMs);
+        transport.on('reconnected', () => {
+          this.logger.log('info', 'Transport reconnected, waiting for ready event');
+          this.emit('reconnected');
+        });
 
-        this.once(`management:${this.options.readyEventName}`, () => {
-          clearTimeout(readyTimeout);
-          this.isRunning = true;
-          this.logger.log('info', `Bridge connected to ${this.options.binaryName}`);
-          this.emit('ready');
-          resolve(true);
+        // Connect the transport
+        transport.connect().then(() => {
+          // Wait for the ready event from the protocol layer
+          const readyTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+            this.logger.log('error', `Process did not send ready event within ${this.options.readyTimeoutMs}ms`);
+            this.kill();
+            resolve(false);
+          }, this.options.readyTimeoutMs);
+
+          this.once(`management:${this.options.readyEventName}`, () => {
+            clearTimeout(readyTimeout);
+            this.isRunning = true;
+            this.logger.log('info', `Bridge connected to ${this.options.binaryName}`);
+            this.emit('ready');
+            resolve(true);
+          });
+        }).catch((err: Error) => {
+          this.logger.log('error', `Transport connect failed: ${err.message}`);
+          resolve(false);
         });
       } catch (err: any) {
-        this.logger.log('error', `Failed to spawn: ${err.message}`);
+        this.logger.log('error', `Failed to connect: ${err.message}`);
         resolve(false);
       }
     });
@@ -140,7 +165,7 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
     method: K,
     params: TCommands[K]['params'],
   ): Promise<TCommands[K]['result']> {
-    if (!this.childProcess || !this.isRunning) {
+    if (!this.transport?.connected || !this.isRunning) {
       throw new Error(`${this.options.binaryName} bridge is not running`);
     }
 
@@ -164,10 +189,10 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
 
       this.pendingRequests.set(id, { resolve, reject, timer });
 
-      this.writeToStdin(json + '\n').catch((err) => {
+      this.transport!.write(json + '\n').catch((err) => {
         clearTimeout(timer);
         this.pendingRequests.delete(id);
-        reject(new Error(`Failed to write to stdin: ${err.message}`));
+        reject(new Error(`Failed to write to transport: ${err.message}`));
       });
     });
   }
@@ -183,7 +208,7 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
   ): StreamingResponse<TExtractChunk<TCommands[K]>, TCommands[K]['result']> {
     const streaming = new StreamingResponse<TExtractChunk<TCommands[K]>, TCommands[K]['result']>();
 
-    if (!this.childProcess || !this.isRunning) {
+    if (!this.transport?.connected || !this.isRunning) {
       streaming.fail(new Error(`${this.options.binaryName} bridge is not running`));
       return streaming;
     }
@@ -213,28 +238,26 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
       streaming,
     });
 
-    this.writeToStdin(json + '\n').catch((err) => {
+    this.transport!.write(json + '\n').catch((err) => {
       clearTimeout(timer);
       this.pendingRequests.delete(id);
-      streaming.fail(new Error(`Failed to write to stdin: ${err.message}`));
+      streaming.fail(new Error(`Failed to write to transport: ${err.message}`));
     });
 
     return streaming;
   }
 
   /**
-   * Kill the Rust process and clean up all resources.
+   * Kill the connection and clean up all resources.
+   * For stdio: kills the child process (SIGTERM, then SIGKILL).
+   * For socket: closes the socket connection (does NOT kill the daemon).
    */
   public kill(): void {
-    if (this.childProcess) {
-      const proc = this.childProcess;
-      this.childProcess = null;
+    if (this.transport) {
+      const transport = this.transport;
+      this.transport = null;
       this.isRunning = false;
 
-      // Clear buffers
-      this.stdoutBuffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
-      this.stderrRemainder = '';
-
       // Reject pending requests
       for (const [, pending] of this.pendingRequests) {
         clearTimeout(pending.timer);
@@ -242,27 +265,8 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
       }
       this.pendingRequests.clear();
 
-      // Remove all listeners
-      proc.removeAllListeners();
-      proc.stdout?.removeAllListeners();
-      proc.stderr?.removeAllListeners();
-      proc.stdin?.removeAllListeners();
-
-      // Kill the process
-      try { proc.kill('SIGTERM'); } catch { /* already dead */ }
-
-      // Destroy stdio pipes
-      try { proc.stdin?.destroy(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
-      try { proc.stdout?.destroy(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
-      try { proc.stderr?.destroy(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
-
-      // Unref so Node doesn't wait
-      try { proc.unref(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
-
-      // Force kill after 5 seconds
-      setTimeout(() => {
-        try { proc.kill('SIGKILL'); } catch { /* already dead */ }
-      }, 5000).unref();
+      transport.removeAllListeners();
+      transport.disconnect();
     }
   }
 
@@ -273,62 +277,6 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
     return this.isRunning;
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Buffer-based newline scanner for stdout chunks.
-   * Replaces readline to handle large payloads without buffering entire lines in a separate abstraction.
-   */
-  private handleStdoutChunk(chunk: Buffer): void {
-    this.stdoutBuffer = Buffer.concat([this.stdoutBuffer, chunk]);
-
-    let newlineIndex: number;
-    while ((newlineIndex = this.stdoutBuffer.indexOf(0x0A)) !== -1) {
-      const lineBuffer = this.stdoutBuffer.subarray(0, newlineIndex);
-      this.stdoutBuffer = this.stdoutBuffer.subarray(newlineIndex + 1);
-
-      if (lineBuffer.length > this.options.maxPayloadSize) {
-        this.logger.log('error', `Inbound message exceeds maxPayloadSize (${lineBuffer.length} bytes), dropping`);
-        continue;
-      }
-
-      const line = lineBuffer.toString('utf8').trim();
-      this.handleLine(line);
-    }
-
-    // If accumulated buffer exceeds maxPayloadSize (sender never sends newline), clear to prevent OOM
-    if (this.stdoutBuffer.length > this.options.maxPayloadSize) {
-      this.logger.log('error', `Stdout buffer exceeded maxPayloadSize (${this.stdoutBuffer.length} bytes) without newline, clearing`);
-      this.stdoutBuffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
-    }
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Write data to stdin with backpressure support.
-   * Waits for drain if the internal buffer is full.
-   */
-  private writeToStdin(data: string): Promise<void> {
-    return new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
-      if (!this.childProcess?.stdin) {
-        reject(new Error('stdin not available'));
-        return;
-      }
-
-      const canContinue = this.childProcess.stdin.write(data, 'utf8', (err) => {
-        if (err) {
-          reject(err);
-        }
-      });
-
-      if (canContinue) {
-        resolve();
-      } else {
-        // Wait for drain before resolving
-        this.childProcess.stdin.once('drain', () => {
-          resolve();
-        });
-      }
-    });
-  }
-
   private handleLine(line: string): void {
     if (!line) return;
 
@@ -381,9 +329,7 @@ export class RustBridge<TCommands extends TCommandMap = TCommandMap> extends plu
 
   private cleanup(): void {
     this.isRunning = false;
-    this.childProcess = null;
-    this.stdoutBuffer = Buffer.alloc(0);
-    this.stderrRemainder = '';
+    this.transport = null;
 
     // Reject all pending requests
     for (const [, pending] of this.pendingRequests) {
diff --git a/ts/classes.sockettransport.ts b/ts/classes.sockettransport.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8281f67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ts/classes.sockettransport.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+import * as plugins from './plugins.js';
+import { LineScanner } from './classes.linescanner.js';
+import type { IRustBridgeLogger } from './interfaces/index.js';
+import type { IRustTransport } from './interfaces/transport.js';
+
+export interface ISocketTransportOptions {
+  /** Path to Unix socket (Linux/macOS) or named pipe path (Windows) */
+  socketPath: string;
+  /** Maximum inbound message size in bytes */
+  maxPayloadSize: number;
+  /** Logger instance */
+  logger: IRustBridgeLogger;
+  /** Enable auto-reconnect on unexpected disconnect (default: false) */
+  autoReconnect?: boolean;
+  /** Initial delay between reconnect attempts in ms (default: 100) */
+  reconnectBaseDelayMs?: number;
+  /** Maximum delay between reconnect attempts in ms (default: 30000) */
+  reconnectMaxDelayMs?: number;
+  /** Maximum number of reconnect attempts before giving up (default: 10) */
+  maxReconnectAttempts?: number;
+}
+
+interface IResolvedSocketTransportOptions {
+  socketPath: string;
+  maxPayloadSize: number;
+  logger: IRustBridgeLogger;
+  autoReconnect: boolean;
+  reconnectBaseDelayMs: number;
+  reconnectMaxDelayMs: number;
+  maxReconnectAttempts: number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Transport that connects to an already-running process via Unix socket or Windows named pipe.
+ * The JSON-over-newline protocol is identical to stdio; only the transport changes.
+ */
+export class SocketTransport extends plugins.events.EventEmitter implements IRustTransport {
+  private options: IResolvedSocketTransportOptions;
+  private socket: plugins.net.Socket | null = null;
+  private lineScanner: LineScanner;
+  private _connected: boolean = false;
+  private intentionalDisconnect: boolean = false;
+  private reconnectAttempts: number = 0;
+  private reconnectTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null;
+
+  constructor(options: ISocketTransportOptions) {
+    super();
+    this.options = {
+      autoReconnect: false,
+      reconnectBaseDelayMs: 100,
+      reconnectMaxDelayMs: 30000,
+      maxReconnectAttempts: 10,
+      ...options,
+    };
+    this.lineScanner = new LineScanner(options.maxPayloadSize, options.logger);
+  }
+
+  public get connected(): boolean {
+    return this._connected;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Connect to the socket. Resolves when the TCP/Unix connection is established.
+   */
+  public async connect(): Promise<void> {
+    this.intentionalDisconnect = false;
+    this.reconnectAttempts = 0;
+    return this.doConnect();
+  }
+
+  private doConnect(): Promise<void> {
+    return new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
+      let settled = false;
+
+      this.socket = plugins.net.connect({ path: this.options.socketPath });
+
+      this.socket.on('connect', () => {
+        if (!settled) {
+          settled = true;
+          this._connected = true;
+          this.reconnectAttempts = 0;
+          resolve();
+        }
+      });
+
+      this.socket.on('data', (chunk: Buffer) => {
+        this.lineScanner.push(chunk, (line) => {
+          this.emit('line', line);
+        });
+      });
+
+      this.socket.on('close', () => {
+        const wasConnected = this._connected;
+        this._connected = false;
+        this.lineScanner.clear();
+
+        if (!this.intentionalDisconnect && wasConnected && this.options.autoReconnect) {
+          this.attemptReconnect();
+        }
+        this.emit('close');
+      });
+
+      this.socket.on('error', (err: Error) => {
+        this._connected = false;
+        if (!settled) {
+          settled = true;
+          reject(err);
+        } else if (!this.intentionalDisconnect) {
+          this.emit('error', err);
+        }
+      });
+    });
+  }
+
+  private attemptReconnect(): void {
+    if (this.reconnectAttempts >= this.options.maxReconnectAttempts) {
+      this.options.logger.log('error', `Max reconnect attempts (${this.options.maxReconnectAttempts}) reached`);
+      this.emit('reconnect_failed');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const delay = Math.min(
+      this.options.reconnectBaseDelayMs * Math.pow(2, this.reconnectAttempts),
+      this.options.reconnectMaxDelayMs,
+    );
+    this.reconnectAttempts++;
+
+    this.options.logger.log('info', `Reconnecting in ${delay}ms (attempt ${this.reconnectAttempts}/${this.options.maxReconnectAttempts})`);
+
+    this.reconnectTimer = setTimeout(async () => {
+      this.reconnectTimer = null;
+      try {
+        await this.doConnect();
+        this.emit('reconnected');
+      } catch {
+        // doConnect rejected — the 'close' handler on the new socket will trigger another attempt
+      }
+    }, delay);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Write data to the socket with backpressure support.
+   */
+  public async write(data: string): Promise<void> {
+    return new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
+      if (!this.socket || !this._connected) {
+        reject(new Error('Socket not connected'));
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const canContinue = this.socket.write(data, 'utf8', (err) => {
+        if (err) {
+          reject(err);
+        }
+      });
+
+      if (canContinue) {
+        resolve();
+      } else {
+        this.socket.once('drain', () => {
+          resolve();
+        });
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Close the socket connection. Does NOT kill the remote daemon.
+   */
+  public disconnect(): void {
+    this.intentionalDisconnect = true;
+
+    if (this.reconnectTimer) {
+      clearTimeout(this.reconnectTimer);
+      this.reconnectTimer = null;
+    }
+
+    if (this.socket) {
+      const sock = this.socket;
+      this.socket = null;
+      this._connected = false;
+      this.lineScanner.clear();
+      sock.removeAllListeners();
+      sock.destroy();
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/ts/classes.stdiotransport.ts b/ts/classes.stdiotransport.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1abfbda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ts/classes.stdiotransport.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,149 @@
+import * as plugins from './plugins.js';
+import { LineScanner } from './classes.linescanner.js';
+import type { IRustBridgeLogger } from './interfaces/index.js';
+import type { IRustTransport } from './interfaces/transport.js';
+
+export interface IStdioTransportOptions {
+  binaryPath: string;
+  cliArgs: string[];
+  env?: Record<string, string>;
+  maxPayloadSize: number;
+  logger: IRustBridgeLogger;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Transport that spawns a child process and communicates via stdin/stdout.
+ * Extracted from the original RustBridge process management logic.
+ */
+export class StdioTransport extends plugins.events.EventEmitter implements IRustTransport {
+  private options: IStdioTransportOptions;
+  private childProcess: plugins.childProcess.ChildProcess | null = null;
+  private lineScanner: LineScanner;
+  private stderrRemainder: string = '';
+  private _connected: boolean = false;
+
+  constructor(options: IStdioTransportOptions) {
+    super();
+    this.options = options;
+    this.lineScanner = new LineScanner(options.maxPayloadSize, options.logger);
+  }
+
+  public get connected(): boolean {
+    return this._connected;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Spawn the child process. Resolves when the process is running (not necessarily ready).
+   */
+  public async connect(): Promise<void> {
+    const env = this.options.env
+      ? { ...process.env, ...this.options.env }
+      : { ...process.env };
+
+    this.childProcess = plugins.childProcess.spawn(
+      this.options.binaryPath,
+      this.options.cliArgs,
+      { stdio: ['pipe', 'pipe', 'pipe'], env },
+    );
+
+    // Handle stderr with cross-chunk buffering
+    this.childProcess.stderr?.on('data', (data: Buffer) => {
+      this.stderrRemainder += data.toString();
+      const lines = this.stderrRemainder.split('\n');
+      this.stderrRemainder = lines.pop()!;
+      for (const line of lines) {
+        const trimmed = line.trim();
+        if (trimmed) {
+          this.emit('stderr', trimmed);
+        }
+      }
+    });
+
+    // Handle stdout via LineScanner
+    this.childProcess.stdout!.on('data', (chunk: Buffer) => {
+      this.lineScanner.push(chunk, (line) => {
+        this.emit('line', line);
+      });
+    });
+
+    // Handle process exit
+    this.childProcess.on('exit', (code: number | null, signal: string | null) => {
+      // Flush remaining stderr
+      if (this.stderrRemainder.trim()) {
+        this.emit('stderr', this.stderrRemainder.trim());
+      }
+      this._connected = false;
+      this.lineScanner.clear();
+      this.stderrRemainder = '';
+      this.emit('close', code, signal);
+    });
+
+    this.childProcess.on('error', (err: Error) => {
+      this._connected = false;
+      this.emit('error', err);
+    });
+
+    this._connected = true;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Write data to stdin with backpressure support.
+   */
+  public async write(data: string): Promise<void> {
+    return new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
+      if (!this.childProcess?.stdin) {
+        reject(new Error('stdin not available'));
+        return;
+      }
+
+      const canContinue = this.childProcess.stdin.write(data, 'utf8', (err) => {
+        if (err) {
+          reject(err);
+        }
+      });
+
+      if (canContinue) {
+        resolve();
+      } else {
+        this.childProcess.stdin.once('drain', () => {
+          resolve();
+        });
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Kill the child process. Sends SIGTERM, then SIGKILL after 5s.
+   */
+  public disconnect(): void {
+    if (!this.childProcess) return;
+
+    const proc = this.childProcess;
+    this.childProcess = null;
+    this._connected = false;
+    this.lineScanner.clear();
+    this.stderrRemainder = '';
+
+    // Remove all listeners
+    proc.removeAllListeners();
+    proc.stdout?.removeAllListeners();
+    proc.stderr?.removeAllListeners();
+    proc.stdin?.removeAllListeners();
+
+    // Kill the process
+    try { proc.kill('SIGTERM'); } catch { /* already dead */ }
+
+    // Destroy stdio pipes
+    try { proc.stdin?.destroy(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    try { proc.stdout?.destroy(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    try { proc.stderr?.destroy(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+
+    // Unref so Node doesn't wait
+    try { proc.unref(); } catch { /* ignore */ }
+
+    // Force kill after 5 seconds
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      try { proc.kill('SIGKILL'); } catch { /* already dead */ }
+    }, 5000).unref();
+  }
+}
diff --git a/ts/index.ts b/ts/index.ts
index 385e4b6..608d058 100644
--- a/ts/index.ts
+++ b/ts/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 export { RustBridge } from './classes.rustbridge.js';
 export { RustBinaryLocator } from './classes.rustbinarylocator.js';
 export { StreamingResponse } from './classes.streamingresponse.js';
+export { StdioTransport } from './classes.stdiotransport.js';
+export { SocketTransport } from './classes.sockettransport.js';
+export { LineScanner } from './classes.linescanner.js';
 export * from './interfaces/index.js';
diff --git a/ts/interfaces/config.ts b/ts/interfaces/config.ts
index 6e6ba5d..70d893a 100644
--- a/ts/interfaces/config.ts
+++ b/ts/interfaces/config.ts
@@ -45,3 +45,17 @@ export interface IRustBridgeOptions extends IBinaryLocatorOptions {
    *  Resets on each chunk received. */
   streamTimeoutMs?: number;
 }
+
+/**
+ * Options for connecting to an already-running daemon via Unix socket or named pipe.
+ */
+export interface ISocketConnectOptions {
+  /** Enable auto-reconnect on unexpected disconnect (default: false) */
+  autoReconnect?: boolean;
+  /** Initial delay between reconnect attempts in ms (default: 100) */
+  reconnectBaseDelayMs?: number;
+  /** Maximum delay between reconnect attempts in ms (default: 30000) */
+  reconnectMaxDelayMs?: number;
+  /** Maximum number of reconnect attempts before giving up (default: 10) */
+  maxReconnectAttempts?: number;
+}
diff --git a/ts/interfaces/index.ts b/ts/interfaces/index.ts
index 992e6c8..362cca1 100644
--- a/ts/interfaces/index.ts
+++ b/ts/interfaces/index.ts
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 export * from './ipc.js';
 export * from './config.js';
+export * from './transport.js';
diff --git a/ts/interfaces/transport.ts b/ts/interfaces/transport.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e0e697
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ts/interfaces/transport.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import type * as plugins from '../plugins.js';
+
+/**
+ * Abstract transport for communicating with a Rust process.
+ * Both stdio and socket transports implement this interface.
+ *
+ * Events emitted:
+ * - 'line' (line: string) — a complete newline-terminated JSON line received
+ * - 'error' (err: Error) — transport-level error
+ * - 'close' (...args: any[]) — transport has closed/disconnected
+ * - 'stderr' (line: string) — stderr output (stdio transport only)
+ * - 'reconnected' () — transport reconnected after unexpected disconnect (socket only)
+ */
+export interface IRustTransport extends plugins.events.EventEmitter {
+  /** Connect the transport (spawn process or connect to socket). Resolves when I/O channel is open. */
+  connect(): Promise<void>;
+
+  /** Write a string to the transport. Handles backpressure. */
+  write(data: string): Promise<void>;
+
+  /** Disconnect the transport. For stdio: kills the process. For socket: closes the connection. */
+  disconnect(): void;
+
+  /** Whether the transport is currently connected and writable. */
+  readonly connected: boolean;
+}
diff --git a/ts/plugins.ts b/ts/plugins.ts
index 722734b..c8055e5 100644
--- a/ts/plugins.ts
+++ b/ts/plugins.ts
@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@ import * as fs from 'fs';
 import * as childProcess from 'child_process';
 import * as events from 'events';
 import * as url from 'url';
+import * as net from 'net';
 
-export { path, fs, childProcess, events, url };
+export { path, fs, childProcess, events, url, net };
 
 // @push.rocks scope
 import * as smartpath from '@push.rocks/smartpath';