Chatter Backend

A TypeScript/NestJS backend for the Chatter application. This service provides the server-side APIs and app server configuration for the Chatter ecosystem.

• Repository: HarshXAI/chatter-backend
• Language: TypeScript
• Framework: NestJS
• Default branch: main

Features

• Modular, scalable architecture using NestJS
• Environment-based configuration
• Production build output in dist/
• Ready for CI/CD (AWS CodeBuild via buildspec.yml)
• Procfile included for platform runtimes that use process types (e.g., Heroku)

Note: This README outlines the common workflows and conventions for a NestJS service. Adjust sections (DB, auth, docs) to match your actual implementation.

Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+ (recommended Node 20 LTS)
• PNPM, NPM, or Yarn
• A .env file with your configuration (see below)

Install

Using pnpm (preferred, pnpm-lock.yaml present):

pnpm install

Using npm:

npm ci

Using yarn:

yarn install

Development

# Start in watch mode
pnpm start:dev
# or
npm run start:dev
# or
yarn start:dev

The service typically listens on http://localhost:3000 unless overridden by PORT in .env.

Production build and run

# Build the project to dist/
pnpm build
# or
npm run build
# or
yarn build

# Start compiled app
pnpm start:prod
# or
npm run start:prod
# or
yarn start:prod

Testing

# Unit tests
pnpm test

# Watch mode
pnpm test:watch

# e2e tests (if configured)
pnpm test:e2e

# Coverage
pnpm test:cov

(Replace pnpm with your package manager as needed.)

Environment Variables

Create a .env file at the project root. Common variables for a NestJS service include:

# Core
NODE_ENV=development
PORT=3000

# CORS
CORS_ORIGIN=http://localhost:3000

# Auth (if applicable)
JWT_SECRET=change_me
JWT_EXPIRES_IN=1d

# Database (if applicable)
DATABASE_URL=postgres://user:password@localhost:5432/chatter

# Cache/Queue (optional)
REDIS_URL=redis://localhost:6379

# Logging
LOG_LEVEL=info

Only keep variables relevant to your implementation; remove the rest.

Project Structure

.
├─ .vscode/                 # Editor settings (optional)
├─ dist/                    # Compiled output (generated)
├─ public/                  # Static assets (if served)
├─ src/                     # Application source
│  ├─ main.ts               # Entrypoint (bootstrap)
│  ├─ app.module.ts         # Root module
│  └─ ...                   # Feature modules, services, controllers
├─ test/                    # Tests
├─ nest-cli.json            # Nest CLI config
├─ tsconfig.json            # TypeScript config
├─ tsconfig.build.json      # TS build config for Nest
├─ buildspec.yml            # AWS CodeBuild spec
├─ Procfile                 # Process definition (e.g., Heroku)
├─ package.json
└─ README.md

API Documentation

If Swagger/OpenAPI is enabled in main.ts, the docs are typically available at:

• Local: http://localhost:<PORT>/docs or /api

Update this section with the exact path if configured.

Scripts

Common NestJS scripts (check your package.json for exact script names):

• start — Start the app
• start:dev — Start with hot reload (watch mode)
• start:prod — Start compiled app from dist/
• build — Compile TypeScript to dist/
• test, test:watch, test:e2e, test:cov — Testing scripts
• lint — Lint source code
• format — Format code

Deployment

Heroku / Platforms using Procfile

A Procfile is present. Typical content:

web: node dist/main.js

Ensure you build before starting (e.g., with a prestart hook or build step in the platform).

AWS CodeBuild

A buildspec.yml is present for CI/CD. Confirm the phases (install/build/post_build) match your build pipeline, and that environment variables and credentials are configured in your CI/CD environment.

General Notes

• Always build (npm run build) before starting in production.
• Ensure .env or platform environment variables are set for production (secrets, DB URLs, etc.).
• Use a process manager (PM2) or platform supervisor for reliability if running on a VM.

Contributing

1. Fork the repo and create your branch from main.
2. Install dependencies and set up .env.
3. Run start:dev and ensure tests pass.
4. Commit with conventional messages if possible.
5. Open a pull request describing your changes.

Troubleshooting

• Port already in use: update PORT in .env or free the port.
• Build errors: clear cache, reinstall deps, ensure Node/TS versions match.
• TypeScript path issues: verify tsconfig.json and tsconfig.build.json.
• Swagger not visible: confirm Swagger is set up in main.ts and the environment allows it.

License

No license specified. Consider adding a LICENSE file (e.g., MIT, Apache-2.0) to clarify usage.

Contact

• Maintainer: @HarshXAI
• Issues: Use the repository’s Issues tab to report bugs or request features.

---

Generated for a NestJS TypeScript backend. Tailor database/auth/docs sections to your exact setup.