diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 5d781ce1..d189cb04 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+Version 217:
+
+* websocket idle pings
+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 Version 216:
 
 * Refactor websocket::stream operations
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.hpp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.hpp
index e035d18a..15c5eb3e 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/ping.hpp
@@ -109,100 +109,96 @@ public:
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-#if 0
-template<
-    class NextLayer,
-    bool deflateSupported,
-    class Handler>
-void
-async_auto_ping(
-    stream<NextLayer, deflateSupported>& ws,
-    Handler&& handler)
+// sends the idle ping
+template<class NextLayer, bool deflateSupported>
+template<class Executor>
+class stream<NextLayer, deflateSupported>::idle_ping_op
+    : public net::coroutine
+    , public boost::empty_value<Executor>
 {
-    using handler_type =
-        typename std::decay<Handler>::type;
+    boost::weak_ptr<impl_type> wp_;
+    std::unique_ptr<detail::frame_buffer> fb_;
 
-    using base_type =
-        beast::stable_async_op_base<
-            handler_type, beast::executor_type<
-                stream<NextLayer, deflateSupported>>>;
+public:
+    static constexpr int id = 4; // for soft_mutex
 
-    struct async_op : base_type, net::coroutine
+    using executor_type = Executor;
+
+    executor_type
+    get_executor() const noexcept
     {
-        boost::weak_ptr<impl_type> impl_;
-        detail::frame_buffer& fb_;
+        return this->get();
+    }
 
-    public:
-        static constexpr int id = 4; // for soft_mutex
-
-        async_op(
-            Handler&& h,
-            stream<NextLayer, deflateSupported>& ws)
-            : base_type(std::move(h), ws.get_executor())
-            , impl_(ws.impl_)
-            , fb_(beast::allocate_stable<
-                detail::frame_buffer>(*this))
+    idle_ping_op(
+        boost::shared_ptr<impl_type> const& sp,
+        Executor const& ex)
+        : boost::empty_value<Executor>(
+            boost::empty_init_t{}, ex)
+        , wp_(sp)
+        , fb_(new detail::frame_buffer)
+    {
+        if(! sp->idle_pinging)
         {
-            // Serialize the ping or pong frame
-            ping_data payload;
-            ws.template write_ping<
-                flat_static_buffer_base>(fb_, op, payload);
-            (*this)({}, 0, false);
+            // Create the ping frame
+            ping_data payload; // empty for now
+            sp->template write_ping<
+                flat_static_buffer_base>(*fb_,
+                    detail::opcode::ping, payload);
+
+            sp->idle_pinging = true;
+            (*this)({}, 0);
         }
-
-        void operator()(
-            error_code ec = {},
-            std::size_t bytes_transferred = 0,
-            bool cont = true)
+        else
         {
-            boost::ignore_unused(bytes_transferred);
-            auto sp = impl_.lock();
-            if(! sp)
-                return;
+            // if we are already in the middle of sending
+            // an idle ping, don't bother sending another.
+        }
+    }
 
-            auto& impl = *ws_.impl_;
-            BOOST_ASIO_CORO_REENTER(*this)
+    void operator()(
+        error_code ec = {},
+        std::size_t bytes_transferred = 0)
+    {
+        boost::ignore_unused(bytes_transferred);
+        auto sp = wp_.lock();
+        if(! sp)
+            return;
+        auto& impl = *sp;
+        BOOST_ASIO_CORO_REENTER(*this)
+        {
+            // Acquire the write lock
+            if(! impl.wr_block.try_lock(this))
             {
-                // Acquire the write lock
-                if(! impl.wr_block.try_lock(this))
-                {
-                    BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
-                    impl.op_idle_ping.emplace(std::move(*this));
-                    impl.wr_block.lock(this);
-                    BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
-                    net::post(std::move(*this));
-                    BOOST_ASSERT(impl.wr_block.is_locked(this));
-                }
-                if(impl.check_stop_now(ec))
-                    goto upcall;
-
-                // Send ping frame
                 BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
-                net::async_write(impl.stream, fb_.data(),
-                    beast::detail::bind_continuation(std::move(*this)));
-                if(impl.check_stop_now(ec))
-                    goto upcall;
-
-            upcall:
-                impl.wr_block.unlock(this);
-                impl.op_close.maybe_invoke()
-                    || impl.op_ping.maybe_invoke()
-                    || impl.op_rd.maybe_invoke()
-                    || impl.op_wr.maybe_invoke();
-                if(! cont)
-                {
-                    BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
-                    net::post(bind_front_handler(
-                        std::move(*this), ec));
-                }
-                this->invoke(ec);
+                impl.op_idle_ping.emplace(std::move(*this));
+                impl.wr_block.lock(this);
+                BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
+                net::post(this->get(), std::move(*this));
+                BOOST_ASSERT(impl.wr_block.is_locked(this));
             }
-        }
-    };
+            if(impl.check_stop_now(ec))
+                goto upcall;
 
-    async_op op(ws, std::forward<Handler>(handler));
-}
-#endif
+            // Send ping frame
+            BOOST_ASIO_CORO_YIELD
+            net::async_write(impl.stream, fb_->data(),
+                //beast::detail::bind_continuation(std::move(*this)));
+                std::move(*this));
+            if(impl.check_stop_now(ec))
+                goto upcall;
+
+        upcall:
+            BOOST_ASSERT(sp->idle_pinging);
+            sp->idle_pinging = false;
+            impl.wr_block.unlock(this);
+            impl.op_close.maybe_invoke()
+                || impl.op_ping.maybe_invoke()
+                || impl.op_rd.maybe_invoke()
+                || impl.op_wr.maybe_invoke();
+        }
+    }
+};
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream_impl.hpp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream_impl.hpp
index 1976b3b7..726330cd 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream_impl.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/impl/stream_impl.hpp
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ struct stream<NextLayer, deflateSupported>::impl_type
     saved_handler           op_r_rd;        // paused read op (async read)
     saved_handler           op_r_close;     // paused close op (async read)
 
+    bool idle_pinging = false;
     bool secure_prng_ = true;
     bool ec_delivered = false;
     bool timed_out = false;
@@ -335,6 +336,9 @@ struct stream<NextLayer, deflateSupported>::impl_type
         case status::handshake:
             break;
 
+        case status::open:
+            break;
+
         case status::closing:
             //BOOST_ASSERT(status_ == status::open);
             break;
@@ -445,7 +449,7 @@ private:
         using executor_type = Executor;
 
         executor_type
-        get_executor() const
+        get_executor() const noexcept
         {
             return this->get();
         }
@@ -479,7 +483,7 @@ private:
                 if( impl.timeout_opt.keep_alive_pings &&
                     impl.idle_counter < 1)
                 {
-                    // <- send ping
+                    idle_ping_op<Executor>(sp, get_executor());
 
                     ++impl.idle_counter;
                     impl.timer.expires_after(
diff --git a/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp b/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
index 62bc50a5..87936683 100644
--- a/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
+++ b/include/boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp
@@ -2603,7 +2603,7 @@ private:
     template<class>         class close_op;
     template<class>         class handshake_op;
     template<class>         class ping_op;
-    template<class>         class auto_ping_op;
+    template<class>         class idle_ping_op;
     template<class, class>  class read_some_op;
     template<class, class>  class read_op;
     template<class>         class response_op;
diff --git a/test/beast/websocket/accept.cpp b/test/beast/websocket/accept.cpp
index 41430c3b..5a317e17 100644
--- a/test/beast/websocket/accept.cpp
+++ b/test/beast/websocket/accept.cpp
@@ -15,9 +15,6 @@
 #include <boost/beast/_experimental/unit_test/suite.hpp>
 #include "test.hpp"
 
-#include <boost/asio/io_context.hpp>
-#include <boost/asio/strand.hpp>
-
 namespace boost {
 namespace beast {
 namespace websocket {
diff --git a/test/beast/websocket/handshake.cpp b/test/beast/websocket/handshake.cpp
index 08dc8f72..0c38b851 100644
--- a/test/beast/websocket/handshake.cpp
+++ b/test/beast/websocket/handshake.cpp
@@ -238,96 +238,6 @@ public:
         );
     }
 
-    void
-    testTimeout()
-    {
-        using tcp = net::ip::tcp;
-
-        net::io_context ioc;
-
-        // success
-
-        {
-            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
-            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
-            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
-
-            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
-            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
-            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
-        }
-
-        {
-            stream<test::stream> ws1(ioc);
-            stream<test::stream> ws2(ioc);
-            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
-
-            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
-            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
-            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
-        }
-
-        // success, timeout enabled
-
-        {
-            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
-            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
-            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
-
-            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
-                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
-                stream_base::none(),
-                false});
-            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
-            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
-            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
-        }
-
-        {
-            stream<test::stream> ws1(ioc);
-            stream<test::stream> ws2(ioc);
-            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
-
-            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
-                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
-                stream_base::none(),
-                false});
-            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
-            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
-            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
-        }
-
-        // timeout
-
-        {
-            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
-            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
-            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
-
-            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
-                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
-                stream_base::none(),
-                false});
-            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/",
-                test::fail_handler(beast::error::timeout));
-            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
-        }
-
-        {
-            stream<test::stream> ws1(ioc);
-            stream<test::stream> ws2(ioc);
-            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
-
-            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
-                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
-                stream_base::none(),
-                false});
-            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/",
-                test::fail_handler(beast::error::timeout));
-            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
-        }
-    }
-
     // Compression Extensions for WebSocket
     //
     // https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7692
@@ -597,15 +507,117 @@ public:
         }
     };
 
+    void
+    testAsync()
+    {
+        using tcp = net::ip::tcp;
+
+        net::io_context ioc;
+
+        // success, no timeout
+
+        {
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+
+            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
+            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
+            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
+        }
+
+        {
+            stream<test::stream> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<test::stream> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+
+            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
+            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
+            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
+        }
+
+        // success, timeout enabled
+
+        {
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+
+            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
+                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
+                stream_base::none(),
+                false});
+            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
+            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
+            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
+        }
+
+        {
+            stream<test::stream> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<test::stream> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+
+            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
+                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
+                stream_base::none(),
+                false});
+            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
+            ws2.async_accept(test::success_handler());
+            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
+        }
+
+        // timeout
+
+        {
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+
+            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
+                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
+                stream_base::none(),
+                false});
+            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/",
+                test::fail_handler(beast::error::timeout));
+            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
+        }
+
+        {
+            stream<test::stream> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<test::stream> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+
+            ws1.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
+                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
+                stream_base::none(),
+                false});
+            ws1.async_handshake("test", "/",
+                test::fail_handler(beast::error::timeout));
+            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::seconds(1));
+        }
+
+        // abandoned operation
+
+        {
+            {
+                stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
+                ws1.async_handshake("test", "/",
+                    test::fail_handler(
+                        net::error::operation_aborted));
+            }
+            test::run(ioc);
+        }
+    }
+
     void
     run() override
     {
         testHandshake();
-        testTimeout();
         testExtRead();
         testExtWrite();
         testExtNegotiate();
         testMoveOnly();
+        testAsync();
     }
 };
 
diff --git a/test/beast/websocket/timer.cpp b/test/beast/websocket/timer.cpp
index 1a1e83a3..a67ad58f 100644
--- a/test/beast/websocket/timer.cpp
+++ b/test/beast/websocket/timer.cpp
@@ -10,24 +10,85 @@
 // Test that header file is self-contained.
 #include <boost/beast/websocket/stream.hpp>
 
+#include <boost/beast/_experimental/test/stream.hpp>
+#include <boost/beast/_experimental/test/tcp.hpp>
+#include <boost/beast/_experimental/unit_test/suite.hpp>
+#include <boost/beast/core/flat_buffer.hpp>
 #include <boost/asio/ip/tcp.hpp>
 
-#include "test.hpp"
-
 namespace boost {
 namespace beast {
 namespace websocket {
 
-class timer_test
-    : public websocket_test_suite
+struct timer_test : unit_test::suite
 {
-public:
     using tcp = boost::asio::ip::tcp;
 
+    void
+    testIdlePing()
+    {
+        net::io_context ioc;
+
+        // idle ping, no timeout
+
+        {
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+            ws1.async_accept(test::success_handler());
+            ws2.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
+            test::run(ioc);
+
+            ws2.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
+                stream_base::none(),
+                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
+                true});
+            flat_buffer b1;
+            flat_buffer b2;
+            bool received = false;
+            ws1.control_callback(
+                [&received](frame_type ft, string_view)
+                {
+                    received = true;
+                    BEAST_EXPECT(ft == frame_type::ping);
+                });
+            ws1.async_read(b1, test::fail_handler(
+                net::error::operation_aborted));
+            ws2.async_read(b2, test::fail_handler(
+                net::error::operation_aborted));
+            test::run_for(ioc, std::chrono::milliseconds(100));
+            BEAST_EXPECT(received);
+        }
+
+        test::run(ioc);
+
+        // idle ping, timeout
+
+        {
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws1(ioc);
+            stream<tcp::socket> ws2(ioc);
+            test::connect(ws1.next_layer(), ws2.next_layer());
+            ws1.async_accept(test::success_handler());
+            ws2.async_handshake("test", "/", test::success_handler());
+            test::run(ioc);
+
+            ws2.set_option(stream_base::timeout{
+                stream_base::none(),
+                std::chrono::milliseconds(50),
+                true});
+            flat_buffer b;
+            ws2.async_read(b,
+                test::fail_handler(beast::error::timeout));
+            test::run(ioc);
+        }
+
+        test::run(ioc);
+    }
+
     void
     run() override
     {
-        pass();
+        testIdlePing();
     }
 };