diff --git a/shuttle/rpc/engines/websocket/websocket.go b/shuttle/rpc/engines/websocket/websocket.go
index be739073..8db75850 100644
--- a/shuttle/rpc/engines/websocket/websocket.go
+++ b/shuttle/rpc/engines/websocket/websocket.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package websocket
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"sync"
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/filecoin-project/go-address"
 	"github.com/libp2p/go-libp2p/core/peer"
 	"golang.org/x/net/websocket"
+	gwebsocket "golang.org/x/net/websocket"
 
 	"github.com/application-research/estuary/config"
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ type Connection struct {
 }
 
 type IEstuaryRpcEngine interface {
-	Connect(ws *websocket.Conn, handle string, done chan struct{}) (func() error, func(), error)
+	Connect(ws *gwebsocket.Conn, handle string, done chan struct{}) (func() error, func(), error)
 	GetShuttleConnections() []*Connection
 	GetShuttleConnection(handle string) (*Connection, bool)
 }
@@ -67,18 +69,28 @@ func NewEstuaryRpcEngine(ctx context.Context, db *gorm.DB, cfg *config.Estuary,
 	return wbsMgr
 }
 
-func (m *manager) Connect(ws *websocket.Conn, handle string, done chan struct{}) (func() error, func(), error) {
+func (m *manager) Connect(ws *gwebsocket.Conn, handle string, done chan struct{}) (func() error, func(), error) {
+	var helloBytes []byte
+	if err := gwebsocket.Message.Receive(ws, &helloBytes); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
 	var hello rpcevent.Hello
-	if err := websocket.JSON.Receive(ws, &hello); err != nil {
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(helloBytes, &hello); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	b, err := json.Marshal(&rpcevent.Hi{QueueEngEnabled: m.cfg.RpcEngine.Queue.Enabled})
+	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
-	// tell shuttle if api support queue engine
-	if err := websocket.JSON.Send(ws, &rpcevent.Hi{QueueEngEnabled: m.cfg.RpcEngine.Queue.Enabled}); err != nil {
+	// tell shuttle if api supports queue engine
+	if err := gwebsocket.Message.Send(ws, b); err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
-	_, err := url.Parse(hello.Host)
+	_, err = url.Parse(hello.Host)
 	if err != nil {
 		m.log.Errorf("shuttle had invalid hostname %q: %s", hello.Host, err)
 		hello.Host = ""
@@ -128,14 +140,17 @@ func (m *manager) Connect(ws *websocket.Conn, handle string, done chan struct{})
 			select {
 			case msg := <-sc.cmds:
 				go func() {
-					// Write
-					err := websocket.JSON.Send(ws, msg)
+					msgBytes, err := json.Marshal(msg)
 					if err != nil {
+						m.log.Errorf("failed to serialize message: %s", err)
+						return
+					}
+
+					if err = websocket.Message.Send(ws, msgBytes); err != nil {
 						m.log.Errorf("failed to write command to shuttle: %s", err)
 						return
 					}
 				}()
-
 			case <-done:
 				return
 			}
@@ -143,10 +158,16 @@ func (m *manager) Connect(ws *websocket.Conn, handle string, done chan struct{})
 	}
 
 	readWebsocket := func() error {
+		var msgBytes []byte
+		if err := websocket.Message.Receive(ws, &msgBytes); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
 		var msg *rpcevent.Message
-		if err := websocket.JSON.Receive(ws, &msg); err != nil {
+		if err := json.Unmarshal(msgBytes, &msg); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+
 		msg.Handle = handle
 		go func() {
 			m.rpcWebsocket <- msg