TalkMate

TalkMate is a modern, full-stack chat application built with React, Express.js, Node.js, and MongoDB, enabling both one-to-one and group real-time messaging.

🚀 Features

• 💬 Chat Functionality
  • One-to-One Messaging: Private conversations between two users.
  • Group Chats: Create and manage group conversations with multiple participants.
  • Real-Time Updates: Powered by Socket.IO for instant message delivery.
  • Message History: Previous messages are stored and displayed upon reconnection.

🔐 Security & Authentication

• JWT Authentication: Secure login and registration with JSON Web Tokens.
• Protected Routes: Only authenticated users can access chats.
• Password Encryption: User passwords are hashed using bcrypt.

🛠 Tech Stack

• Frontend - React.js, Context API, Axios
• Backend - Node.js, Express.js
• Database - MongoDB (Mongoose)
• Real-Time - Socket.IO
• Auth - JWT, bcrypt

📦 Installation

• Prerequisites
  • Node.js (v16+)
  • MongoDB (local or cloud URI)
  • npm or yarn

Setup Instructions

• Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/TalkMate.git
   cd TalkMate
  

• Install dependencies

   # Backend setup
  cd server
  npm install
  
  # Frontend setup
  cd ../client
  npm install
  

• Configure environment variables

  • Create a .env file in the server directory:

     MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string
     JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret_key
     PORT=5000
    

• Run the application

  • Start the backend server:

    cd server
    node index.js
    

  • Start the frontend development server:

    cd ../client
    npm start