Relay

Anonymous real-time communication platform built with React, WebRTC, Socket.IO, Node.js, Redis, Docker, and Nginx.

Features

• Real-time anonymous text chat
• Peer-to-peer video/audio communication using WebRTC
• Redis-backed random matchmaking queue
• Instant session switching ("Next Stranger")
• Socket.IO-based real-time signaling
• Responsive dark-mode UI
• Docker-based deployment setup
• Nginx reverse proxy with WebSocket support

---

Tech Stack

Frontend

• React 18
• Vite
• Tailwind CSS
• WebRTC APIs (RTCPeerConnection, ICE, SDP)

Backend

• Node.js
• Express.js
• Socket.IO

Infrastructure

• Redis
• Docker
• Docker Compose
• Nginx

---

High-Level Architecture

Client A ──┐
           │
           ▼
     Socket.IO Server
           │
           ▼
      Redis Pub/Sub
           │
           ▼
     Socket.IO Server
           │
           ▼
Client B <── WebRTC P2P Connection

---

Local Development

Start Services

Make sure Docker is installed.

docker-compose up -d

This starts Redis and PostgreSQL containers.

---

Run Backend

cd server
npm install
npm run dev

Backend runs on:

http://localhost:5000

---

Run Frontend

cd client
npm install
npm run dev

Frontend runs on:

http://localhost:3000

---

Production Notes

TURN Server

For reliable WebRTC connections across strict NATs or mobile networks, a TURN server is recommended.

Update the ICE server configuration in:

client/src/hooks/useWebRTC.js

with your TURN server credentials.

---

Nginx Setup

The included nginx.conf handles:

• Static hosting for the React frontend
• Reverse proxying to the backend
• WebSocket upgrade handling for Socket.IO

---

Docker Build

docker build -t relay-client -f Dockerfile.client ./client

docker build -t relay-server -f Dockerfile.server ./server