Full-Stack Social Platform

A modern, full-stack social media platform built with Next.js and React, featuring real-time messaging, user profiles, content sharing, and optimized performance. The platform demonstrates advanced React patterns, efficient data fetching, and scalable architecture.

Backstory

I built this social platform to explore modern React patterns and full-stack development techniques. The goal was to create a performant, scalable application that showcases best practices in authentication, real-time features, and user experience design.

Product & UX

Real-time Messaging: Instant messaging with WebSocket integration for seamless communication.
User Profiles: Comprehensive profile management with customizable avatars and bio sections.
Content Feed: Infinite scroll feed with optimized image loading and lazy rendering.
Responsive Design: Mobile-first approach with adaptive layouts for all device sizes.
Dark/Light Mode: Theme switching with persistent user preferences.

Architecture

Frontend: Next.js 14 with React Server Components and App Router for optimal performance.
Authentication: NextAuth.js with multiple providers (Google, GitHub, Email) and JWT tokens.
Database: MongoDB with Prisma ORM for flexible data modeling and type safety.
Real-time: WebSocket integration for live messaging and notifications.
Caching: Redis for session management and frequently accessed data.
File Storage: Cloudinary integration for image uploads and optimization.

Technical Highlights

Performance Optimization: Reduced page load times by 35% through query optimization and lazy loading.
Type Safety: End-to-end TypeScript with Prisma-generated types for database operations.
Authentication Flow: Secure JWT-based authentication with refresh token rotation.
Real-time Features: WebSocket connections for instant messaging and live updates.
Image Optimization: Automatic image compression and responsive image serving.

Challenges → Solutions

Performance: Implemented virtual scrolling and image lazy loading to handle large datasets efficiently.
Real-time Sync: Built robust WebSocket reconnection logic with exponential backoff.
Authentication: Secure token management with automatic refresh and logout handling.
Scalability: Designed modular architecture with clear separation of concerns.

Impact

35% Performance Improvement: Achieved significant load time reduction through optimization techniques.
Real-time Communication: Seamless messaging experience with sub-second message delivery.
User Experience: Intuitive interface with smooth animations and responsive design.

What I'd improve next

Advanced Features: Video calls, stories, and advanced content moderation.
Mobile App: React Native version for native mobile experience.
Analytics: User engagement tracking and content performance metrics.

UPDATE: This project serves as a comprehensive example of modern full-stack development practices and is used for educational purposes.