Recently, I had to fix some bugs and add new features to a real-time chat system at work. During this process, I realized that building a real-time chat feature from scratch can be a daunting task. That’s when I had a lightbulb moment 💡.

What if I create an open-source package on Laravel to help developers build and ship real-time chat features quickly and efficiently within their apps?

It's a good way to contribute to the opensource community, as well as learning and meeting new people ! 💪

And I want to do it with you, by sharing my Parkour...

What is Larachat ?

Yeah I named it Larachat = Laravel + Chat, obviously 😅
The goal is simple, create the most complete, customizable and efficient package to help YOU integrate real-time chat into your app quickly and without any trouble

2 main packages will be available:

• The Laravel Package
• The VueJS package for the frontend

For the first official V1, the functionalities are simple but yet important:

• Direct Chat: Send messages in a One-To-One Chat, group chat will be introduced in future updates
• Message Status: Know if your message has been delivered, when your interlocutor has seen it, or even if the messages has been edited.
• Attachement Uploads: Upload any recognized file within your chat (A video,a file, a picture...)
• _Realtime Chat: It's important to mention it as not every chat application is realtime
• One Thread in the App: A thread is composed of many chats, see it as your messenger feed with your discussion beeing your chat 😉, for the V1 you will have only one type on the app
• Future updates: for the versions many interesting feature will be implemented: multiple threads by apps,group chats,invitation links,message reaction... other surprises ✨

What's next ?

I will share often to keep you updated on the development's advancement and get your constant and constructive feedbacks.

You can follow me on other platforms like X and Discord for the community !