EPICHAT

EPICHAT is a complete real-time collaborative chat application inspired by platforms like Discord, featuring both a web app and a packaged desktop application. The Challenge : Developing a highly scalable real-time communication platform handling instant messaging, community server management, and private Direct Messages. The project required seamless synchronization across clients, robust moderation tools, and bilingual (EN/FR) support. Key Technologies: - Frontend: Next.js 16, React 19, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS v4 - Backend: Node.js, Express 5, Socket.IO (namespaces & rooms) - Database: PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM (hosted on Neon) - Desktop: Electron with electron-builder - Security: JWT, bcrypt, Helmet, rate-limiting, Zod Achievements & Deployment: - Fully automated CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions for testing and Docker registry (GHCR) publishing - Frontend deployed on Vercel for native edge optimization - Backend containerized with Docker and deployed on Render - Implemented an ingenious keep-alive Cron Job system (pinging every 14 minutes) to prevent Render's free instances from sleeping, guaranteeing uninterrupted 24/7 WebSocket connectivity for all users.