Orbit is a microservices-based, scalable, full-stack realtime chat application built with Next.js, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, Socket.io, RabbitMQ, and Redis. It features a beautiful, responsive UI, secure authentication, and real-time messaging.
- Microservices architecture for scalability and reliability
- Modern glassmorphism UI with gradients and animations
- Realtime messaging with Socket.io
- Secure authentication with OTP verification
- Profile management with avatar support
- Media, files, and starred messages
- Responsive design for desktop and mobile
Note: Place the images in a
docs/folder at the root of your project for correct rendering on GitHub.
- Frontend: Next.js, React, Tailwind CSS
- Backend: Node.js, Express, MongoDB, Mongoose
- Realtime: Socket.io
- Authentication: OTP via Email
- File Uploads: Multer, Cloudinary
- Microservices Communication: RabbitMQ
- Caching & Pub/Sub: Redis
- Next.js: React framework for server-side rendering, routing, and fast builds.
- React: UI library for building interactive user interfaces.
- Tailwind CSS: Utility-first CSS framework for rapid UI development and custom styling.
- AppContext: Global state management for user, chat, and authentication data.
- SocketContext: Manages real-time socket connections for chat updates.
- ChatSideBar: Displays user list, chat list, online status, and allows starting new chats.
- ChatHeader: Shows selected user's info, online status, and chat actions.
- ChatMessages: Renders chat messages, supports animations, and message status.
- MessageInput: Input field for sending messages, with typing indicator and file upload.
- VerifyOTP: Handles OTP verification for secure login.
- Loading: Animated loading spinner for async operations.
- Node.js: JavaScript runtime for building scalable server-side applications.
- Express: Web framework for routing, middleware, and REST APIs.
- MongoDB & Mongoose: NoSQL database and ODM for storing users, chats, and messages.
- Socket.io: Enables real-time, bidirectional communication for instant messaging.
- Multer: Middleware for handling file uploads (profile pictures, media).
- Cloudinary: Cloud service for storing and serving uploaded images.
- JWT (JSON Web Token): Used for secure authentication and session management.
- Nodemailer: Sends OTP emails for user verification.
- RabbitMQ: Message broker for microservices communication (e.g., mail service, notifications).
- Redis: In-memory data store for caching, pub/sub, and fast data access.
- User Authentication: Register, login, OTP verification, JWT token management.
- Profile Management: Update name, upload/remove avatar, view profile.
- Chat Management: Create chat, send/receive messages, mark as read/unread, star messages.
- Media & Files: Upload, view, and download media/files in chat.
- Online Status: Real-time user presence indicator using Socket.io.
- Microservices: Decoupled services for user, chat, mail, notifications, scaling via RabbitMQ and Redis.
- Node.js & npm
- MongoDB
- RabbitMQ
- Redis
- Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/orbit-chat-app.git cd orbit-chat-app - Install dependencies for frontend and backend:
cd backend/user npm install cd ../chat npm install cd ../mail npm install cd ../../frontend/my-app npm install
- Set up environment variables for backend (MongoDB URI, Cloudinary, RabbitMQ, Redis, etc.)
- Start each microservice separately:
- In
backend/user:npm run dev
- In
backend/chat:npm run dev
- In
backend/mail:npm run dev
- In
frontend/my-app:npm run dev
- In
Note: All microservices (user, chat, mail) must be running for the app to work correctly.
backend/
chat/
mail/
user/
frontend/
my-app/
Pull requests are welcome! For major changes, please open an issue first to discuss what you would like to change.
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
Try the app locally or deploy to Vercel/Heroku for a live demo.
For any queries, reach out to hardik2004s@gmail.com