Real-Time Chat Web App

I’d like to commission a straightforward, browser-based application whose primary purpose is real-time chat. Web development is the only focus—no mobile or desktop build is needed right now. The chat must update instantly for all connected users, so please leverage WebSockets, Socket.io, or an equally responsive alternative rather than long-polling tricks.

I expect a clean, modern stack (Node.js, Express or Fastify, React/Vue/Svelte or similar on the client, plus a lightweight database such as MongoDB, Postgres, or Redis for message persistence). You’re welcome to suggest the exact tools you are most productive with; I’m open as long as they are widely supported and easy for another developer to maintain later.

Deliverables
• Full source code in a Git repository
• Clear README with setup and build steps
• Deployed demo link (Heroku, Vercel, fly.io or comparable) showing live chat in action

Acceptance criteria
1. Messages appear to all connected browsers in under one second.
2. Users can join or leave a room without refreshing the page.
3. The interface works on both desktop and mobile viewports.
4. Code is lint-clean and documented well enough for a hand-off.

If you have previous chat or WebSocket projects in your portfolio, please include a link so I can quickly gauge fit. I’m eager to move ahead as soon as we align on the tech stack and timeline.