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Real-Time Chat Application

A full-stack real-time chat application built with the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) and Socket.io. This app enables users to send and receive messages instantly, manage their profiles, and interact with others in real-time.

Features

• Real-Time Messaging: Send and receive messages instantly using Socket.io.
• User Management: Block and unblock users in real time.
• Authentication: Secure sign-in with Google authentication.
• Profile Management: Update user profiles, including profile images using Cloudinary.
• Message Management: Delete individual messages or clear all messages.
• Dashboard: Separate dashboards for users and admins.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js
• npm or yarn
• MongoDB (running locally or using a cloud instance)

Setup Instructions

1. Clone the Repository

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/real-time-chat-app.git
   cd real-time-chat-app

2. Install Dependencies

   Install both client-side and server-side dependencies.

   # For client-side
   cd client
   npm install
   
   # For server-side
   cd ../server
   npm install

3. Configure Environment Variables

   Create a .env file in the server directory and add your environment variables. Example:

   MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_uri
   JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret
   CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME=your_cloudinary_cloud_name
   CLOUDINARY_API_KEY=your_cloudinary_api_key
   CLOUDINARY_API_SECRET=your_cloudinary_api_secret

4. Run the Application

   Start the server and client applications.

   # Start the server
   cd server
   npm start
   
   # In a new terminal, start the client
   cd ../client
   npm start

   By default, the client will be accessible at http://localhost:3000, and the server at http://localhost:5000.

5. Socket.io Server

   Due to pricing concerns, the Socket.io server is not deployed. For local development, the Socket.io functionality is included. Note that the relevant Socket.io code is commented out in the master branch. You can find the working Socket.io code in the local branch.

   # To use Socket.io locally, switch to the local branch
   git checkout local

Deployment

Currently, the Socket.io server is not deployed. For a live demo, you will need to deploy the Socket.io server separately or use local development as described above.

Contributing

Feel free to fork this repository and submit pull requests. For any issues or feature requests, please open an issue on GitHub.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Contact

For questions or suggestions, please contact me at engrirfanullah981@gmail.com.

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