NextChat: Real-Time Chat Application with Next.js, Redis, and Upstash

NextChat is a real-time chat application built with Next.js, utilizing Redis as a database with Upstash for persistence. This application allows users to engage in seamless, responsive chat interactions across various devices.

Features

• Real-Time Communication: Enjoy instant messaging with real-time updates, providing a smooth and responsive chatting experience.
• Fully Responsive Design: NextChat is designed to adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes, ensuring a consistent user experience across devices.
• Persistent Storage: Redis, managed with Upstash, ensures that chat messages are stored securely and are accessible even after page refreshes or server restarts.
• User Authentication: Secure user authentication ensures that only authorized users can access the chat application.
• User Profiles: Personalize your chat experience with user profiles, including avatars and status updates.

Installation

To run NextChat locally, follow these steps:

1. Clone this repository to your local machine:

   git clone https://github.com/soumya100/chatApp.git

2. Navigate to the project directory:

   cd chatApp

3. Install dependencies:

   if you're using yarn (my preference)

   yarn install

   if you're using npm

   npm i 

4. Set up Redis with Upstash and configure environment variables.

5. Start the development server:

   npm run dev

6. Open your browser and visit http://localhost:3000 to view the application.

Environment Variables

NextChat requires the following environment variables to be set:

• UPSTASH_REDIS_REST_URL: URL of the Redis database provided by Upstash.
• UPSTASH_REDIS_REST_TOKEN: Secret key used for session encryption.
• NEXTAUTH_SECRET: Secret key for next-auth.
• GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID: Google console client id.
• GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET: Google client secret id.
• PUSHER_APP_ID: Pusher app id.
• NEXT_PUBLIC_PUSHER_APP_KEY: Pusher app key.
• PUSHER_APP_SECRET: Pusher app secret key.
• PUSHER_APP_CLUSTER: Pusher app cluster.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Feel free to open issues or pull requests for any improvements or feature suggestions.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

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