https://github.com/sh13y/secure-chat
A real-time secure chat application with end-to-end encryption built with TypeScript, React, Node.js, and MongoDB
https://github.com/sh13y/secure-chat
chat-application encryption jwt mongodb nodejs react real-time secure-chat typescript websocket
Last synced: 5 months ago
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A real-time secure chat application with end-to-end encryption built with TypeScript, React, Node.js, and MongoDB
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/sh13y/secure-chat
- Owner: sh13y
- Created: 2025-07-31T04:47:24.000Z (5 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-07-31T07:03:34.000Z (5 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-07-31T10:14:56.841Z (5 months ago)
- Topics: chat-application, encryption, jwt, mongodb, nodejs, react, real-time, secure-chat, typescript, websocket
- Language: TypeScript
- Size: 674 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
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README
# Secure Chat: The 13% Complete Edition 🚀
A real-time chat application with end-to-end encryption. Because your messages deserve to be as secure as a secret spy dossier, not a sticky note on the fridge.
> **Project Status:** Currently hibernating while I battle the final boss-my degree. This project is about 13% done, which in developer years is basically a full season of a TV show. I’ll be back when my professors release me from academic captivity, whichever comes first\!
-----
### Inspiration
Ever watched "Day of The Jackal" and thought, "Hey, those USB-based encrypted chats look cool?" Well, same here\! While I can't guarantee this app will help you in international espionage (and I legally have to advise against that), it's my humble attempt at creating something similar. Just remember: with great encryption comes great responsibility... and occasionally forgotten passwords.
*Disclaimer: No jackals were harmed in the making of this chat app. 🦊*
-----
### Features
- User registration and authentication with **JWT** (because we need to know who you are before you start sending encrypted messages).
- Real-time messaging using **WebSockets** (no more refreshing the page to see if someone replied).
- End-to-end message encryption (so only you and the recipient can read the messages).
- Message read status tracking (for when you need to know if you're being ignored).
- Unread message counter (for when you're popular but too busy to reply).
- Delete messages and entire chat conversations (because some things are better left unsaid).
- User search functionality (to find your chat buddy in the wild).
- **MongoDB** integration for message persistence (your secrets are safe, even if you close the app).
- CORS enabled (so the frontend and backend can be friends).
-----
### Tech Stack
- **Frontend:** React (TypeScript) - Because who doesn't love strongly-typed code?
- **Backend:** Node.js with Express - The backbone of our secret communication service.
- **WebSocket:** `ws` library - The magic that makes it all real-time.
- **Database:** MongoDB - Where all the secrets are stored (securely, of course).
- **Authentication:** JWT - Our bouncer for the secure club.
- **Encryption:** A custom encryption service - Because why use an off-the-shelf solution when you can build your own?
-----
### Demo
This is what a top-secret chat app looks like when you're not an international spy.
#### Register Page
#### Sample Chat (Two Users)
The application supports real-time conversations between users with encrypted message delivery:
**User Perspective 1:**
**User Perspective 2:**
-----
### Getting Started
To get this whole operation running on your local machine, follow these highly classified steps.
1. **Clone the repository:**
`git clone https://github.com/sh13y/Secure-Chat.git`
2. **Install dependencies:**
`npm install`
3. **Set up environment variables:** Create a `.env` file with the following, and fill in the blanks like you're cracking a code.
```
PORT=3001
MONGODB_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string
JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret
```
#### MongoDB Atlas Setup
- **Create a MongoDB Atlas account** at [mongodb.com/atlas](https://mongodb.com/atlas).
- **Create a new cluster** (the free tier is plenty for your clandestine needs).
- **Set up database access:** Create a user with read/write permissions.
- **Set up network access:** Add your current IP address. (Or use `0.0.0.0/0` for all IPs, but that's like leaving the front door unlocked. Not recommended for a "secure" chat app.)
- **Get your connection string:** Copy the string and replace ``, ``, and `` with your details.
**Example connection string format:**
`mongodb+srv://username:password@cluster.aslazkn.mongodb.net/secure_chat?retryWrites=true&w=majority`
-----
### Recent Updates (The Grand Return\!)
After a brief hibernation, I've re-emerged to squash some bugs and make this a smoother ride.
#### 🔧 Live Message Updating Fixed\!
I've identified and fixed the issues with live message updating in your Secure Chat application. Now messages will appear instantly for both the sender and receiver.
**🐛 Issues Found & Fixed:**
- **Duplicate `useEffect` Hooks:** There were two identical WebSocket `useEffect` hooks fighting each other. I've consolidated them into a single, improved WebSocket handler.
- **Server Not Broadcasting to Sender:** The server was only sending messages to the receiver, not back to the sender for immediate display. I've updated the server to send messages to both parties.
- **Restrictive Message Display Condition:** The client's condition for displaying messages was too picky. I've updated it to include `data.senderId === currentUser` so your sent messages appear instantly, not after a secret squirrel dance.
**✨ Improvements Made:**
- **Single WebSocket Connection:** One hook to rule them all.
- **Better Message Handling:** The message display conditions are now more welcoming.
- **Immediate Feedback:** You'll see your message appear instantly.
- **Enhanced Logging:** Added detailed console logs for debugging future issues (for when things inevitably go wrong again).
Now, go ahead and send some messages. They'll pop up in real-time, just like magic\! ✨
-----
### Future Improvements (The Roadmap to 100%)
This is just the beginning. I've got a whole list of upgrades planned for when I'm not drowning in academic texts.
- Enhanced UI/UX (because a good spy app should look cool).
- File sharing capabilities (for sharing top-secret memes).
- Group chat functionality (for spy teams and family reunions).
- Message editing (for when you make a typo in a classified message).
- Mobile responsiveness (for on-the-go espionage).
-----
### Project Structure
```
src/
├── server/
│ ├── index.ts # Main server file
│ └── models/
│ └── User.js # User model
├── shared/
│ ├── types.ts # Shared type definitions
│ └── encryption.ts # Encryption service
```
-----
### License
**WTFPL** - Do What The F\*ck You Want To Public License. Go wild.
### Author
**sh13y** - Full-Stack copy-cat, part-time student, full-time dreamer, occasional code whisperer
*Note: This is a fun development project and not intended for production use in its current state. Also, definitely not approved by any secret intelligence agencies... or is it? 🕵️♂️*