🖥️ Terminal Chat - CLI Based Peer-to-Peer Chat App

Terminal Chat is a minimal, secure, terminal-based chat tool allowing two users to communicate over the internet using only a command-line interface — no GUI, no extra installation, just Python + Ngrok for the host.

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🚀 Features

• ✅ One-file executable with no external dependencies (for guest)
• 🔐 Secure tunneling via Ngrok
• 🌍 Communicate globally using room links
• 👥 Supports peer-to-peer chatting
• 🧵 Multithreaded - both users can type and receive messages simultaneously
• 🕒 Timestamps for each message
• 🧑‍💻 Custom Nicknames

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📦 Requirements

For Host (Room Creator)

• Python 3.11+ (Just for Development)
• Ngrok (Configured and Authenticated)

Ngrok is only needed on the host’s machine.

For Guest (Joining the Room)

• No Python or Ngrok required if using the .exe version.

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🔧 How to Use

🖥️ Step 1: Host Side (Create a Chat Room)

1. Install and configure Ngrok on your machine:

ngrok config add-authtoken YOUR_AUTHTOKEN

2. Ensure ngrok.exe is in your system's PATH or alongside your chat.exe.

3. Run chat.exe by double-clicking it or via terminal.

4. Select option 1 - Create a Chat Room.

5. The app will:

• Start a TCP server on port 5000

• Auto-start an Ngrok TCP tunnel

• Show a public address like:

Host: 2.tcp.in.ngrok.io
Port: 14321

4. Share the Host and Port with your friend (guest).

5. Begin chatting in real-time!

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👤 Step 2: Guest Side (Join a Room)

1. Open Terminal or run the chat.exe file.
2. Choose [2] Join a Chat Room
3. Enter the Host and Port shared by the room creator.
4. Start chatting in real-time.

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🧪 Example

========== Terminal Chat ==========
[1] Create a Chat Room
[2] Join a Chat Room
Choose option: 1
[+] Chat server started on port 5000
[*] Starting Ngrok tunnel...
[!] Share this with your friend to join:
Host: 0.tcp.in.ngrok.io
Port: 12345

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🛠️ Upcoming Features

• 🔒 End-to-End Encryption (AES-based)
• 👥 Multi-user chat rooms
• ⏳ Typing indicators
• 📁 Log chat history
• 🌐 IPv6 support

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📝 Notes

• The host must have a working Ngrok setup with ngrok authtoken configured.
• Guest users do not need Python or Ngrok if using the packaged .exe version.
• Ensure ports are not blocked by firewall or antivirus.

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Developed by Manas Choksi