Local Chat Extension

A Chrome extension for local network chat with persistent messaging, image sharing, and GIF support.

Features

• Persistent Messaging: Messages are stored and persist between sessions
• Image Sharing: Share images via drag & drop or clipboard paste
• GIF Support: Send animated GIFs that stay animated in the chat
• End-to-End Encryption: Messages are encrypted for privacy
• Typing Indicators: See when others are typing
• Dark Mode: Toggle between light and dark themes
• Desktop Notifications: Get notified of new messages
• User Customization: Set your display name

Installation

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/demonshinobi/local-chat-extension.git
   

2. Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/

3. Enable "Developer mode" in the top right corner

4. Click "Load unpacked" and select the extension directory

5. Run the server:

   cd local-chat-extension
   ./setup.bat
   

Usage

1. Click the extension icon in Chrome to open the chat popup

2. Enter the server IP address (usually shown in the server console, typically 172.31.208.1)

3. Click "Connect" to join the chat

4. Start chatting! You can:

   • Send text messages
   • Share images by pasting from clipboard or drag & drop
   • Send GIFs by clicking the GIF button
   • Add emojis by clicking the emoji button
   • Toggle dark mode in settings
   • Clear message history if needed

Network Connectivity

If you're having trouble connecting from different computers on the same network, follow these steps:

For the Server Host:

1. Run the included network-test.bat script to:

   • Check your network interfaces and IP addresses
   • Add a Windows Firewall exception for port 8080
   • Test if your computer is accessible from other machines

2. Make sure you're using the correct IP address:

   • The server displays all available IP addresses on startup
   • For computers in the same building but different networks, use your machine's actual IP address (not localhost or 127.0.0.1)
   • Typically, use the IP that starts with 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x

3. Check your firewall settings:

   • Ensure Windows Firewall allows incoming connections on port 8080
   • If using third-party antivirus/firewall software, add an exception for the chat server

For Clients:

1. Make sure you're on the same network as the server host

   • If on different networks, you may need VPN or network bridging

2. Enter the correct server IP address:

   • Use the IP address of the server host's computer (not localhost)
   • The IP should be visible in the server console when it starts

3. Test connectivity:

   • Try accessing http://SERVER_IP:8080 in a web browser
   • If this works but the chat doesn't connect, check the extension settings

Troubleshooting:

• "Cannot connect to server": Verify the server is running and the IP address is correct
• Server running but clients can't connect: Check firewall settings and run network-test.bat
• Connection drops frequently: Ensure stable network connection and try a different IP address

Server

The extension includes a WebSocket server built with Node.js. The server:

• Stores message history persistently
• Handles message broadcasting
• Manages client connections
• Provides encryption for messages

To start the server, run setup.bat in the extension directory.

Technical Details

• Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Backend: Node.js WebSocket server
• Storage: Local file-based persistence
• Encryption: AES-256-GCM
• Networking: WebSocket on port 8080

License

MIT