2nd YearIntermediateWeb 6-8 weeks
Real-Time Chat Application
A full-featured chat app with real-time messaging, multiple rooms, private DMs, online status indicators, and file sharing.
ReactNode.jsSocket.IOMongoDBCloudinary
Find GitHub repos & source code →How to build it — step by step
- 1WebSocket Setup: Integrate Socket.IO on both server and client; handle connection, disconnect events
- 2Rooms & DMs: Implement room creation, joining, and private DM via unique socket room names
- 3Message Persistence: Store messages in MongoDB; paginate on scroll to load message history
- 4File Sharing: Upload images/files to Cloudinary, send CDN URL as message type "file"
Key features to implement
- ✓Real-time messaging with typing indicators
- ✓Online/offline status for contacts
- ✓Group rooms and private DMs
- ✓Image and file sharing
- ✓Message read receipts (double tick)
💡 Unique twist to stand out
Add encrypted messages using the Web Crypto API (AES-GCM end-to-end encryption) where keys are exchanged via Diffie-Hellman and stored locally — the server never sees plaintext messages.
🎓 What you'll learn
WebSocket communication, event-driven architecture, real-time UI updates, and cloud file storage.