It would be nice if all the code related to the ActorWordCount example is contained in a single file. So that the examples directory is not cluttered with too many files. In fact a simpler FeederActor may suffice to prove the point - something that generates random text to just one receiver that the wordcount example would create. So it does need any latch or noOfReceivers . That maybe sufficient to show how to write an actor that works with actorStream.