_______________________________________ Project Overview We want to build a real-time chat application similar to WhatsApp using React Native for mobile apps (Android and iOS) and Node.js for backend APIs and real-time communication. The app will allow users to register, chat one-to-one, create groups, send media, and receive notifications in real time. ________________________________________ Project Goals • Build a fast and scalable real-time chat app • Provide smooth and modern user experience • Ensure secure messaging system • Support large number of concurrent users • Make system scalable for future enhancements ________________________________________ User Roles User • Register and login • Manage profile • Send and receive messages • Create groups • Send media • Voice notes (optional) • View online/offline status Admin (Optional Web Panel) • Manage users • Monitor chats • Block or report users • Analytics dashboard ________________________________________ Mobile App Features Authentication • Mobile OTP login • Email and password login • Social login (optional) • Forgot password Chat Features • One-to-one messaging • Group chat • Message delivery status (sent, delivered, read) • Typing indicator • Message reactions • Reply to message • Forward messages • Delete message • Chat search Media Sharing • Images • Videos • Documents • Audio messages • Camera capture User Features • Profile photo and status • Last seen • Online/offline indicator • Block users • Report users Notifications • Push notifications (Firebase) • Message preview • Silent notifications Settings • Privacy settings • Notification settings • Change password • Logout ________________________________________ Backend Features (Node.js) • REST APIs • Real-time messaging using Socket.io or WebSockets • JWT authentication • Media upload storage • Message queue handling • User presence tracking • Optional end-to-end encryption • Admin APIs ________________________________________ Database • MongoDB or PostgreSQL • Redis for caching • Optimized message storage ________________________________________ Technology Stack Mobile • React Native (CLI or Expo) • Redux or Zustand • Socket.io client Backend • Node.js with Express.js • Socket.io • JWT authentication • Multer or cloud storage Infrastructure • AWS, DigitalOcean, or Google Cloud • Firebase push notifications • Cloud storage (S3 or Cloudinary) ________________________________________ UI Screens • Splash screen • Login and signup • OTP verification • Chat list • Chat screen • Group info • Profile screen • Settings • Notifications • Media viewer ________________________________________ Security • JWT authentication • Password hashing • Rate limiting • Data encryption • Secure APIs ________________________________________ Performance Requirements • Real-time messaging latency less than 1 second • Handle more than 10,000 concurrent users • Optimized message synchronization • Offline message queue ________________________________________ Testing • Unit testing • API testing • Load testing • User acceptance testing ________________________________________ Deliverables • React Native source code • Backend APIs • Database schema • Deployment setup • Documentation • Admin panel if required ________________________________________ Estimated Timeline Planning and design: 1 to 2 weeks Backend development: 3 to 4 weeks Mobile app development: 4 to 6 weeks Testing: 2 weeks Deployment: 1 week Total duration: 8 to 12 weeks ________________________________________ Future Enhancements • Video calling • Voice calling • Stories or status feature • Payments integration • AI chatbot • Multi-device synchronization