• MongoDB - Database
• Express.js - Backend Framework
• React - Frontend Library
• Vite - Build Tool
• Node.js - Runtime Environment

Note: This project strictly avoids deprecated libraries and outdated methods, utilizing modern versions of React, Express, and Mongoose for stability and security.

• Create Node.js project with npm init
• Install dependencies: express, mongoose, socket.io, bcryptjs, jsonwebtoken, cors, dotenv
• Set up project structure with controllers, models, routes, and middleware folders
• Configure environment variables for database and JWT secrets

• Connect to MongoDB using Mongoose
• Create User schema with username, email, password, and timestamps
• Create Message schema with sender, content, room, and timestamp
• Create Room schema with name, participants, and creation date
• Implement database connection with error handling

• Create user registration endpoint with password hashing
• Implement login endpoint with JWT token generation
• Add middleware for token verification
• Create password validation and user existence checks

• /api/auth/register - User registration
• /api/auth/login - User login
• /api/messages - Get message history
• /api/rooms - Get available rooms
• /api/rooms/create - Create new room
• /api/users/online - Get online users

• Set up Socket.io server with CORS configuration
• Handle user connection and disconnection events
• Implement real-time message broadcasting
• Add room joining and leaving functionality
• Track online users and emit status updates

• Create Vite React project with TypeScript
• Install dependencies: socket.io-client, axios, react-router-dom
• Set up folder structure: components, pages, hooks, utils, types
• Configure Vite proxy for API calls

• Create Login component with form validation
• Create Register component with password confirmation
• Implement AuthContext for user state management
• Add protected routes and authentication guards
• Create token storage and automatic login

• Build ChatRoom component with message list
• Create MessageInput component with send functionality
• Implement UserList component showing online users
• Add RoomSelector component for switching rooms
• Create responsive layout with sidebar and main chat area

• Set up Socket.io client connection
• Implement message sending and receiving
• Add typing indicators
• Show user join/leave notifications
• Display online/offline status indicators

• Add message timestamps and sender information
• Implement auto-scroll to latest messages
• Create loading states and error handling
• Add emoji support and message formatting
• Implement responsive design for mobile devices

• Message persistence in MongoDB
• Message history pagination
• Search functionality within messages
• Message deletion and editing
• File and image sharing capabilities

• Private messaging between users
• Room creation and management
• Room member permissions
• Room invitation system
• Public and private room types

• User profile management
• Avatar upload and display
• Custom themes and dark mode
• Notification system
• Sound alerts for new messages

• Unit tests for API endpoints
• Integration tests for Socket.io events
• Frontend component testing
• End-to-end testing with Cypress

• Set up production MongoDB database
• Deploy backend to Heroku/Railway/DigitalOcean
• Deploy frontend to Vercel/Netlify
• Configure environment variables
• Set up CI/CD pipeline

• Node.js: v18+ for backend runtime
• MongoDB: v6+ for data persistence
• React: v18+ with hooks and functional components
• Socket.io: v4+ for real-time communication
• JWT: For secure authentication
• bcryptjs: For password hashing
• Vite: For fast development and building