has been a while since i checked, but can ktor httpclient now do streaming requests ? keeping the connection open and allowing me to process the chunks (of json) coming in

Yes (not sure about ios)

thats absolutely fine

You can simply get ByteReadChannel instead of String

is this what you mean?

client.get<ByteReadChannel>("<http://127.0.0.1:8080/>")

?

Yes, or

get<HttpResponse>("...").use { it.content .... }

but the chunks might come in delayed.. or rather .. the server only sends more chunks as more things happen

It shouldn't unless some kind timeout on server side

okay cool ,that helps a lot