DEV Community

Cover image for πŸ”₯ I Built a stunning chat app with React πŸš€
Kishan Sheth
Kishan Sheth

Posted on

πŸ”₯ I Built a stunning chat app with React πŸš€

Introduction

Developing a real-time chat application involves more than just basic messaging. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to build a fully responsive chat app from scratch using modern web technologies. This app includes essential features like group chats, file uploads, and real-time communication, making it an excellent project for anyone interested in full-stack development.


Key Features of Our Chat Application

Here’s a breakdown of the key features and technologies that power our chat app:

Frontend (React)

  • UI Components: ShadCN for intuitive, modular components.
  • Styling: Tailwind CSS ensures a modern, responsive design.
  • Responsiveness: Adaptable for both mobile and desktop devices.

Backend (Node.js and Express)

  • Data Storage: MongoDB, optimized for handling user data and messages.
  • Authentication: JWT for secure, token-based authentication.
  • Real-Time Communication: Socket.io for instant messaging functionality.

Additional Features

  • File Handling: Multer is used to handle file uploads and storage.
  • State Management: Zustand for managing user sessions and chat states.
  • API Calls: Axios for efficient API communication.

Building the Frontend

In this section, guide your readers through setting up a React app and installing dependencies like ShadCN, Tailwind CSS, and Zustand.

  1. Setting Up the React App

    Begin by initializing a React app and setting up the basic folder structure.

  2. Adding Responsiveness with Tailwind CSS

    Explain how to install and configure Tailwind CSS for styling and responsiveness.

  3. Implementing State Management with Zustand

    Walk through how Zustand can manage chat states, making the app feel responsive and smooth.

  4. Integrating Sockets for Real-Time Updates

    Show how to set up Socket.io on the frontend to enable real-time communication between users.


Backend Implementation

This section covers setting up a Node.js and Express server with MongoDB as the database and Socket.io for real-time messaging.

  1. Setting Up the Express Server

    Go over the initial setup, including installing dependencies, configuring routes, and connecting to MongoDB.

  2. Integrating JWT for Authentication

    Explain how to use JWT for user authentication, including token creation and validation.

  3. Handling File Uploads with Multer

    Demonstrate how to integrate Multer to handle image and file uploads, including setting up file storage and managing uploads.

  4. Enabling Real-Time Messaging with Socket.io

    Detail how Socket.io powers instant communication, allowing users to send and receive messages in real time.


Source Code ⭐

Check out the full 10+ Hour Video on my youtube channel.

For more such Full Stack Apps subscribe to my youtube channel.

Top comments (9)

Collapse
 
jimishamashru9999 profile image
Jimisha Mashru

That's an amazing project, you could have added Voice and Video Calls as well. That would have made the project a complete chat app. Love the UI.

Collapse
 
kishansheth profile image
Kishan Sheth

Thanks for the input, I will take this into consideration for the next project.

Collapse
 
gokayburuc profile image
gokayburuc.dev

Maybe you can use web assembly library with rust in your next project. So your react app will work much more faster than usual. Just consider this idea πŸ˜‰

Collapse
 
zunefox profile image
Zunefox

Using Next.js would be more better.

Collapse
 
kishansheth profile image
Kishan Sheth

Noted.

Collapse
 
Sloan, the sloth mascot
Comment deleted
Collapse
 
kishansheth profile image
Kishan Sheth

youtube.com/watch?v=W3sOezpkGWI

You can watch the entire demo here.

Collapse
 
zeb21 profile image
Zeb

That is an awesome project.

Collapse
 
kishansheth profile image
Kishan Sheth

Thankyou.