Peer 2 Peer Chat (P2PChat)

A lightweight peer-to-peer chat system built for local-first communication with optional signaling server support. Messages are stored locally, connections are direct, and no central server is required for communication.

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🚀 What is this?

P2PChat is a decentralized chat application designed for:

• direct user-to-user messaging over LAN or internet
• group communication without a central backend
• local message persistence and identity storage

It can work fully peer-to-peer, or optionally use a signaling server to help peers discover each other behind NAT/firewalls.

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✨ Features

• Peer-to-peer direct messaging
• Group chat support
• Local message history (JSONL-based)
• Persistent identity storage (userId + username)
• Optional signaling server for NAT traversal assistance
• Decentralized architecture (no required central backend)
• CLI-based interface with commands

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🧭 Best Use Cases

P2PChat is ideal for:

• Hackerspaces & developer clubs
• College or LAN group communication
• Friends-only private chats (fully local use)
• Privacy-focused experimental communities
• Chatting across NAT/firewalls (with signaling server enabled)

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🔒 Privacy Model

• No cloud storage
• No centralized message database
• Messages are stored locally per device
• Identity is generated and stored locally
• Network connections are direct peer connections

Note: End-to-end encryption is planned but not yet fully integrated.

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🧱 Architecture

• NetworkLayer → Handles peer connections and messaging
• SessionManager → Tracks peers and sessions
• GroupManager → Manages group state
• MessageHistory → Local JSONL storage
• SignalingClient → Optional peer discovery
• CLI (readline) → Command interface

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📦 Features

• Local config system
• Local message history (JSONL)
• Local identity persistence
• Decentralized peer discovery
• Hybrid direct + signaling-based connectivity

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🧪 Example Commands

/setname Gidor
/addpeer Kazi 127.0.0.1 5000
/connect Kazi
/list

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🧭 Future Plans

• End-to-end encryption (public/private key system already in progress)
• Improved CLI UX and command system
• Better message buffering + sync stability
• UPnP support for automatic port forwarding

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⚠️ Status

This project is in active development and is intended for experimental / learning purposes.

Expect breaking changes.

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💡 Philosophy

P2PChat is built around a simple idea:

Communication should work without trusting a central server.