Real-Time WhatsApp-Style Chat
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I need a full-stack developer to build a real-time chat system that looks and feels like WhatsApp while offering the crisp, website-integrated experience of tools such as Crisp.chat.
Core stack & architecture
• Front end in React with a clean, mobile-first WhatsApp-like interface.
• Back end in Node.js (Express preferred) with Socket.io powering true real-time messaging.
• Simple REST endpoints for user management and message history.
Essential features
• Instant message notifications for new chats and replies.
• File sharing (images, documents, voice notes) with previews.
• “User is typing…” indicators for a natural conversation flow.
• Phone-number-only sign-up: prompt visitors for a number, send an OTP, and create a session.
• Public chat rooms and one-to-one conversations so the general public can interact freely.
Nice-to-have extras (include where feasible within scope)
• Lightweight admin panel where I can view active rooms, kick or mute users, and export chat logs.
• Message persistence in MongoDB or PostgreSQL so history reloads on refresh.
• Responsive dark/light themes.
Deliverables
1. Fully working codebase (front end & back end) that I can run locally with a single setup script.
2. Clear README covering environment variables (e.g. Twilio/SMS keys), build commands, and deployment steps to a VPS or services like Render/Heroku.
3. Brief hand-off call or video walkthrough clarifying architecture and future extension points.
I’m aiming for a solid, functional prototype that can go live on a small website, so focus on clean, maintainable code and an intuitive user interface.
Core stack & architecture
• Front end in React with a clean, mobile-first WhatsApp-like interface.
• Back end in Node.js (Express preferred) with Socket.io powering true real-time messaging.
• Simple REST endpoints for user management and message history.
Essential features
• Instant message notifications for new chats and replies.
• File sharing (images, documents, voice notes) with previews.
• “User is typing…” indicators for a natural conversation flow.
• Phone-number-only sign-up: prompt visitors for a number, send an OTP, and create a session.
• Public chat rooms and one-to-one conversations so the general public can interact freely.
Nice-to-have extras (include where feasible within scope)
• Lightweight admin panel where I can view active rooms, kick or mute users, and export chat logs.
• Message persistence in MongoDB or PostgreSQL so history reloads on refresh.
• Responsive dark/light themes.
Deliverables
1. Fully working codebase (front end & back end) that I can run locally with a single setup script.
2. Clear README covering environment variables (e.g. Twilio/SMS keys), build commands, and deployment steps to a VPS or services like Render/Heroku.
3. Brief hand-off call or video walkthrough clarifying architecture and future extension points.
I’m aiming for a solid, functional prototype that can go live on a small website, so focus on clean, maintainable code and an intuitive user interface.