A complete, self-hosted chat and community platform you can launch today. No framework bloat, no build tools, no server headaches. Just upload, run the wizard, and go live.
NoraPush Chat gives you everything a modern messaging community needs: public rooms, private DMs, image sharing, profiles, XP and levels, badges, moderation tools, and a full admin panel that lets you control the entire platform without touching a single line of code.
Built on lightweight PHP 8.1+ with vanilla JavaScript (no npm, no webpack, no build step), it runs on standard shared hosting and installs anywhere: at your domain root or inside any subfolder, fully self-detecting.
Demo Admin Login
Email: admin@admin.com
Password: Admin1234
Important: Third-Party Realtime Service Required
NoraPush Chat's instant, realtime messaging (WebSocket-based delivery, live typing indicators, live online/offline presence) is powered by NoraPush (norapush.com), a Pusher-protocol-compatible realtime messaging service, connected through the official pusher-php-server SDK.
This means:
- You will need a NoraPush.com account (or any Pusher-protocol-compatible provider) to enable live, instant message delivery.
- The script includes a built-in "Test Connection" button in the admin panel so you can verify your NoraPush credentials in seconds.
- Without a connected NoraPush (or compatible) account, chat functionality will not update in realtime.
This is a small, one-time setup step that unlocks true instant messaging without needing to run or maintain your own WebSocket server. No extra Node.js process, no socket server to configure, no DevOps required.
Core Chat Features
- Realtime messaging via WebSocket, instant delivery, zero page refresh
- Unlimited public rooms, fully admin-configurable (name, icon, "everyone" or "admins only" posting permission)
- Private direct messages between users, with a per-user DM privacy toggle
- Image sharing in rooms and DMs with automatic compression on upload
- Live typing indicators and online/offline presence
- @mentions with instant notifications
- Message reactions (thumbs up / thumbs down) and a built-in emoji picker
- Admin message deletion, in both rooms and DMs
- Full user profiles: avatar (initials or custom image), cover/banner image, bio, status, gender, age, location, hobbies
- XP and Level system with unlockable badges and level-up toasts to drive engagement
- User blocking and reporting/flagging for community safety
- Mute and ban system for moderators
- Admin broadcast "Info Messages": custom sender name, image, optional call-to-action button, and read receipts
- Slash commands for admins directly in chat:
- /clear — wipe all messages in the current room
- /clear <username> — wipe only that user's messages
- /info <text> — post a system/announcement message
- Word and profanity filter with a fully custom blocklist
- Cookie consent banner and age gate, both editable and optional
- Installable as a PWA: branded install prompt, custom app icons, native app feel on phone and desktop home screens
Powerful, 100% UI-Driven Admin Panel
Everything is configurable from the dashboard, nothing requires editing code:
- Live dashboard with stats on users, messages per room, reports, and more
- User management: search, filter, ban/unban, promote/demote admins, permanently delete accounts
- Message browser: search and filter across every room and DM, delete any message in one click
- Info Message center: send broadcasts and review full send/read history
- Levels and Badges editor: configure the XP curve and level tiers, with a live preview before saving
- SEO manager: meta titles, descriptions, keywords, and social preview images per page
- Pages manager: edit your landing page, Terms, and Privacy Policy content
- Full settings control: demo mode, branding (name/logo/favicon), PWA install prompt, NoraPush realtime connection test, database connection test, upload size limits, chat behavior, word filter, and drag-to-reorder room list
- Consistent toast notifications for every save, delete, and error, across the entire panel
Built for Security From Day One
- Database-backed rate limiting on every write and auth endpoint (registration, login, joining, messaging, uploads, reports, reactions), self-cleaning with no Redis or cron job needed
- Strict upload validation: real MIME-type checks, whitelisted file types and folders, path-traversal-protected file serving
- Prepared statements everywhere, fully SQL-injection safe
- Bcrypt password hashing via PHP's native password_hash
- Session-based authentication with admin-only route guards
- Demo Mode: let anyone explore the full admin panel like a real admin, while every save/delete/upload action is safely blocked, perfect for showcasing your live demo without risking real data
Effortless Installation
No manual file editing, ever:
- Automatic server requirements check
- App name and admin account setup
- Database connection with a live test button
- One click installs the schema, creates your admin account, writes the config, and removes the installer
Install at your domain root or in any subfolder. The script auto-detects its environment, zero code changes needed either way.
Technology StackLayerTechnologyBackendPHP 8.1+, no heavy frameworkDatabaseMySQL / MariaDB via PDORealtimeNoraPush (norapush.com), Pusher-protocol-compatible, via official pusher-php-server SDKFrontendVanilla JavaScript (native ES modules), no build stepStylingCustom CSS, dark theme, fully responsiveImagesGD library for compression (optional, uploads work without it)PWAWeb App Manifest + Service WorkerAuthPHP sessions + bcryptWhy Choose NoraPush Chat
- Zero coding required: wizard-driven install and a fully UI-driven admin panel
- Runs anywhere: standard shared PHP hosting, no Node.js server, no build tools
- Truly portable: root or subfolder installs, both fully automatic
- Production-grade protection: spam and rate-limiting built in from day one
- Polished, modern UI: dark theme, smooth profile and banner system, unified toast notifications
- Real app experience: installable via PWA on any device
- Safe public demos: Demo Mode lets buyers try before they buy, without risk
- Lightweight and fast: no framework overhead slowing things down
Requires: PHP 8.1+, MySQL/MariaDB, and a NoraPush.com account (or Pusher-protocol-compatible service) for realtime message delivery.
Get a professional, feature-rich chat platform up and running in minutes, not weeks.
