📱 Chatopia - WhatsApp Web Clone

Project Overview

Chatopia is a full-featured WhatsApp Web clone built using modern and efficient technologies. It offers real-time communication, group interactions, file sharing, and several other features, making it a powerful messaging platform.

This project leverages the following technologies:

• ⚡ Next.js – A scalable and efficient frontend framework for delivering fast user experiences.
• 🟢 Node.js + Express – A reliable backend stack for handling requests and ensuring smooth server-side operations.
• 🌐 Socket.io – Enables real-time WebSocket communication for seamless, instant messaging.

✨ Key Features

• 💬 Seamless Messaging – Real-time communication powered by WebSocket technology for fast and reliable messaging.
• 📁 File Sharing – Share files, images, and media with ease within chats.
• 👥 Group & Community Creation – Create and manage group chats or communities for collaborative conversations.
• 🏷️ User Tagging – Mention users directly in group conversations to get their attention.
• 🔄 Message Forwarding – Forward messages across chats effortlessly.
• 😄 Emoji/GIF Support – Express yourself with emojis and GIFs in your messages.
• 🛡️ Secure Authentication – OAuth-based login with Google and GitHub for secure user access.
• 🖼️ Status Updates – Post and view status updates from other users in the social tab.
• 🎨 Profile Customization – Personalize your profile with editable details.
• 🔧 Privacy Settings – Take control of your privacy by setting preferences for who can see your data and activities.
• 🔔 Self-Notifications – Receive notifications for your own actions.
• 🔉 Notification Sound – Get sound alerts when new messages arrive, ensuring you never miss an update.

Tech Stack

• Frontend: Next.js
• Backend: Node.js, Express.js
• Real-Time Communication: Socket.io
• Database: PostgreSQL

🛠️ Installation & Setup

Follow these steps to get the project running locally:

1. Create OAuth Keys:

   • Set up OAuth secret keys for Google and GitHub.

2. Set Up PostgreSQL Database:

   • Ensure a PostgreSQL database is available and configured.

3. Clone the Repository:

   git clone <your-repository-url>

4. Navigate to the Project Directory:

   cd ./chatopia

5. Install Dependencies:

   npm install

6. Set Environment Variables:

   • Add an .env file in the /chatopia directory, following the structure outlined in .env.example.

7. Run the Development Server:

   npm run server

🚀 Future Enhancements

• Voice & Video Calls – Enable voice and video communication for users.
• Dark Mode – Add a dark theme option for users who prefer it.
• Advanced Search – Improve search functionality for finding messages, files, and users.

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! If you have suggestions or ideas, feel free to fork the repository, open an issue, or submit a pull request.

🤝How to make Contribution

We welcome contributions from developers of all skill levels! Whether you're fixing a bug, adding new features, or improving documentation, your help is appreciated.

To contribute:

1. ⭐ Star the repository to show your support.
2. 📝 Create an issue outlining how you'd like to contribute to the project.
3. 🍴 Fork the repository to make your own copy:

   # Click on the "Fork" button at the top right of the repository page
4. 💻 Implement your changes in the forked repository by creating a new branch for your feature or fix:

   git checkout -b feature-or-fix-name
   
5. Make your changes and commit them using Conventional Commits:

   git commit -m "feat: describe your changes"
   
6. 🔄 Push your branch:

   git push origin feature-or-fix-name
   
7. Open a pull request and describe the changes you made, mentioning the issue number you're addressing.
8. ⏳ Wait for review and feedback from the maintainers.