📱 Mini WhatsApp Clone – Real-Time Fullstack Messaging App

A feature-rich, real-time 1-on-1 chat app inspired by WhatsApp. Built with React, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, and Socket.IO, it supports messaging, smart replies, mental health nudges, and test-mode payments using Stripe.

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🚀 Features

• 🔐 Secure Login & JWT Auth
• 💬 Real-time 1-on-1 Messaging (Socket.IO)
• 🗂 Chat History (MongoDB)
• 🟢 Online Status & Typing Indicator
• 🌘 Dark Mode Toggle
• 🤖 Smart Reply Suggestions (OpenAI)
• 🧘 Mental Health Detection Prompts
• 💸 Stripe Payment Integration (Test Mode)

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🛠 Tech Stack

Layer	Tech
Frontend	React + Tailwind CSS
Backend	Node.js + Express
Real-Time	WebSockets via Socket.IO
Database	MongoDB + Mongoose
Auth	JWT + bcrypt
AI	OpenAI API
Payments	Stripe (Test Mode)
Deploy	Vercel (Frontend) + Render (Backend)

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📦 Local Setup

1. Clone Repo

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/whatsapp-clone.git
cd whatsapp-clone

2. Backend Setup

cd server
npm install
cp .env.example .env

Fill in .env:

PORT=5000
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_uri
JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret
OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_key
STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=your_stripe_secret_key

Then run:

npm run dev

3. Frontend Setup

cd ../client
npm install
cp .env.example .env

Fill in .env:

REACT_APP_BACKEND_URL=http://localhost:5000
REACT_APP_STRIPE_PUBLIC_KEY=your_stripe_public_key

Then run:

npm start

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💳 Stripe Test Cards

Use these during test payments:

Card Type	Number	Exp	CVC
✅ Success	4242 4242 4242 4242	12/34	123
❌ Declined	4000 0000 0000 0002	12/34	123

📘 Full list: Stripe Test Cards

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📃 API Routes

Auth

• POST /api/register – Create user
• POST /api/login – Login + get token

Messages

• POST /api/messages – Send message
• GET /api/messages/:from/:to – Get conversation history

AI & Analysis

• POST /api/ai/suggest – Get smart reply suggestions
• POST /api/mental-health/analyze – Analyze tone of conversation

Payments

• POST /api/payments/send – Create Stripe PaymentIntent

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🧠 Architecture Notes

• Messages stored in MongoDB with status (sent, delivered, seen)
• WebSocket room-based user sessions
• AI Smart Replies powered by OpenAI GPT
• Stripe Elements modal integration
• Environment variables used for API keys and secrets

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🌟 Roadmap (Coming Soon)

• Media (Images/Files) Sharing
• Group Chats
• Mobile App (React Native)
• Push Notifications (Firebase)
• End-to-End Encryption
• Video/Voice Calling (WebRTC)

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📚 License & Credits

• MIT License
• Inspired by WhatsApp UI
• Built with 💙 by Shiva Raghav

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🙋‍♂️ Questions?

If you liked the project, consider giving it a ⭐
Have suggestions or issues? Feel free to open one!