How many concurrent users can the chat handle?

The WebSocket architecture scales horizontally with Redis pub/sub. A single server handles thousands of connections, and you can add nodes as your user base grows.

Are messages stored permanently?

Yes. All messages are persisted in PostgreSQL with configurable retention policies if you want to auto-delete old messages.

Can I embed the chat into my existing app?

Yes. The chat can be built as an embeddable widget or a standalone module that integrates with your existing authentication system.

Real-Time Chat That Keeps Your Users Connected

Build a fast, reliable chat application with direct messages, group channels, file sharing, typing indicators, and message search.

Project type: Real-Time Chat Application

Key Features

Instant Messaging: Sub-second message delivery with WebSocket connections, typing indicators, and read receipts.
Group Channels: Create public and private channels for teams, topics, or projects with member management.
File & Media Sharing: Share images, documents, and files directly in chat with inline previews and download links.
Message Search: Full-text search across all conversations to find messages, files, and links quickly.
Presence & Status: See who is online, away, or offline with custom status messages and automatic idle detection.

Estimate

Hours: 60 - 100 hrs | Cost: $120 - $200 | Timeline: 2 - 3 weeks

Tech Stack

React: Frontend
Node.js: Backend
PostgreSQL: Message Storage
WebSockets: Real-Time Transport
Redis: Presence & Pub/Sub

Milestones

Discovery & Design (15%): Define chat features, design the message UI, and architect the real-time system.
- Feature specification
- Chat UI mockups
- WebSocket architecture plan
- Database schema for messages
Core Messaging (40%): Implement real-time messaging, direct conversations, and group channels.
- WebSocket connection management
- Direct message conversations
- Group channel creation and management
- Message delivery and persistence
Rich Features (30%): Add file sharing, message search, typing indicators, and presence tracking.
- File upload and inline previews
- Full-text message search
- Typing indicators and read receipts
- Online presence system
QA & Launch (15%): Load testing for concurrent connections, message ordering validation, and deployment.
- Concurrent connection load tests
- Message ordering and delivery tests
- Production deployment
- Integration documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

How many concurrent users can the chat handle?: The WebSocket architecture scales horizontally with Redis pub/sub. A single server handles thousands of connections, and you can add nodes as your user base grows.
Are messages stored permanently?: Yes. All messages are persisted in PostgreSQL with configurable retention policies if you want to auto-delete old messages.
Can I embed the chat into my existing app?: Yes. The chat can be built as an embeddable widget or a standalone module that integrates with your existing authentication system.