Real-time Chat Application

A modern real-time chat application built with Next.js, ASP.NET Core, and SignalR.

Technology Stack

Frontend (/client)

• Framework: Next.js 16 (App Router)
• Language: TypeScript
• Styling: Tailwind CSS
• Real-time Client: @microsoft/signalr
• Icons: Lucide React

Backend (/server)

• Framework: ASP.NET Core
• Language: C#
• Real-time Server: SignalR
• Architecture: Web API with Controllers and Hubs

Database & Infrastructure

• Database: MongoDB
• Containerization: Docker & Docker Compose
• Admin UI: Mongo Express

Project Structure

├── client/          # Next.js frontend application
├── server/          # ASP.NET Core backend API & SignalR hub
└── docker-compose.yml # Docker orchestration configuration

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Docker Desktop installed and running.

Application Setup

1. Clone the repository (if applicable) or navigate to the project root.

2. Start the application using Docker Compose:

   docker-compose up --build

   This command will build the client and server images and start the following services:

   • Client: Accessible at http://localhost:3000
   • Server API: Accessible at http://localhost:5000
   • MongoDB: Running on port 27017
   • Mongo Express: Database admin UI at http://localhost:8081

Development

If you prefer to run services locally without Docker:

Server

1. Navigate to the server directory.

2. Ensure you have a local MongoDB instance running or update appsettings.Development.json.

3. Run the .NET application:

   dotnet run

Client

1. Navigate to the client directory.

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the development server:

   npm run dev