A seamless real-time chat application built with FastAPI (backend) and Next.js (frontend).
This application supports both browser-based and terminal clients, providing a versatile and extensible communication platform.
- ⚡ Real-time messaging using WebSockets & WebRTC
- 💻 Support for both browser and terminal clients
- 🔔 User join/leave notifications
- 🎨 Clean, responsive UI for web clients
- 📱 Mobile-friendly design
- 🔒 Future: Decentralized terminal chat via P2P
- FastAPI - High-performance web framework for APIs
- WebSockets - For real-time communication
- Python 3.8+ - For server-side logic
- Next.js - React framework with server-side rendering
- TypeScript - For type safety and better DX
- Tailwind CSS - For responsive styling
DCOM currently supports two modes of communication:
-
Decentralized P2P (WebRTC)
- Direct peer-to-peer (P2P) messaging without a server in between.
- Messages are exchanged securely without central storage.
-
Centralized (WebSockets)
- Messages are routed via the backend WebSocket server.
- Useful for ensuring real-time communication with a central control point.
🚀 Upcoming Feature:
📡 Decentralized P2P Terminal Communication – Soon, terminal clients will be able to communicate fully peer-to-peer without any central server.
- Python 3.8+
- Node.js 14+
- npm or yarn
# Navigate to backend directory
cd backend
# Create a virtual environment
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
# Install dependencies
pip install fastapi uvicorn websockets
# Start the server
uvicorn server:app --reload --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000# Navigate to frontend directory
cd frontend
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Run the development server
npm run dev- Web client: Open your browser and navigate to
http://localhost:3000 - Terminal client (WebSockets - Centralized)
npm install -g wscat wscat -c ws://127.0.0.1:8000/ws
Browser clients can connect using either WebRTC (P2P) or WebSockets (centralized):
- Clients communicate directly without a central server.
- Uses
/signal/{room_id}for signaling. - Users can create a new room or join an existing one.
- Rooms self-destruct when all members leave.
- Messages are routed through the WebSocket server.
- More reliable for persistent communication.
wscat -c ws://127.0.0.1:8000/ws- Enter your username when prompted.
- Start chatting by typing messages and pressing Enter.
- Notifications show when users join or leave.
- Terminal clients will be able to connect directly via WebRTC P2P.
- Eliminates the need for a WebSocket server.
.
├── .gitignore
├── LICENSE # Project license
├── README.md
├── backend
│ └── server.py # FastAPI WebSocket server(upcoming)
└── frontend
├── README.md
├── next-env.d.ts
├── next.config.ts
├── package-lock.json
├── package.json
├── postcss.config.mjs
├── public
│ ├── favicon.ico
│ └── logo.png
├── src
│ └── app
│ ├── globals.css
│ ├── layout.tsx
│ ├── page.tsx # Main chat page component
└── tsconfig.json
As DCOM evolves, several enhancements can be introduced:
- End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): AES or RSA-based secure message exchange
- Self-Destructing Messages: Messages that auto-delete after a set time
- Fully Decentralized P2P Terminal Chat
- Private Chat Rooms with Invite Codes
- File Sharing (P2P and WebSocket-based)
- Voice & Video Chat (via WebRTC)
Contributions are welcome! Whether it’s fixing bugs, optimizing performance, or adding new features, every contribution improves DCOM.
- Check the Future Scope
- Fork the repository
- Create your feature branch (
git checkout -b feature-name) - Commit your changes (
git commit -m 'Added some amazing feature') - Push to the branch (
git push origin feature-name) - Open a Pull Request
This project is licensed under the MIT License – see the LICENSE file for details.