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118 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
118 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
# Chat CLI
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A terminal chat application based on libchat library.
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## Features
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- End-to-end encrypted messaging using libchat
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- File-based transport for local simulation (no network required)
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- Persistent storage (SQLite + JSON state)
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- Multiple chat support with chat switching
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## Usage
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Run two instances with different usernames in separate terminals:
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### Terminal 1 (Alice)
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```bash
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cargo run -p chat-cli -- alice
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```
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### Terminal 2 (Bob)
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```bash
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cargo run -p chat-cli -- bob
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```
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### Establishing a Connection
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1. In Alice's terminal, type `/intro` to generate an introduction bundle
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2. Copy the intro string
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3. In Bob's terminal, type `/connect alice <intro>` (paste Alice's intro bundle)
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4. Bob can now send messages to Alice
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5. Alice will see Bob's initial "Hello!" message and can reply
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### Commands
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| Command | Description |
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|---------|-------------|
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| `/help` | Show available commands |
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| `/intro` | Generate and display your introduction bundle |
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| `/connect <user> <intro>` | Connect to a user using their introduction bundle |
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| `/chats` | List all your established chats |
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| `/switch <user>` | Switch to a different chat |
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| `/delete <user>` | Delete a chat (removes session and crypto state) |
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| `/peers` | List transport-level peers (users with inbox directories) |
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| `/status` | Show connection status and your address |
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| `/clear` | Clear current chat's message history |
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| `/quit` or `Esc` or `Ctrl+C` | Exit the application |
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#### `/peers` vs `/chats`
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- **`/peers`**: Shows users whose CLI has been started (have inbox directories). These are potential contacts you *could* message.
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- **`/chats`**: Shows users you have an **encrypted session** with (via `/connect`). These are active conversations.
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### Sending Messages
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Simply type your message and press Enter. Messages are automatically encrypted and delivered via file-based transport.
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## How It Works
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### File-Based Transport
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Messages are passed between users via files in a shared directory:
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1. Each user has an "inbox" directory at `tmp/chat-cli-data/transport/<username>/`
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2. When Alice sends a message to Bob, it's written as a JSON file in Bob's inbox
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3. Bob's client watches for new files and processes incoming messages
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4. Files are deleted after processing
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### Storage
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Data is stored in the `tmp/chat-cli-data/` directory:
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| File | Purpose |
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|------|---------|
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| `<username>.db` | SQLite database for identity keys, inbox keys, chat metadata, and Double Ratchet state |
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| `<username>_state.json` | CLI state: username↔chat mappings, message history, active chat |
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| `transport/<username>/` | Inbox directory for receiving messages |
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The sqlite tables can be viewed with app `DB Browser for SQLite`, password is `123456`, config use `SQLCipher 4 defaults`.
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## Example Session
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```
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# Terminal 1 (Alice)
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$ cargo run -p chat-cli -- alice
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/intro
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# Output: logos_chatintro_abc123
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# Terminal 2 (Bob)
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$ cargo run -p chat-cli -- bob
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/connect alice logos_chatintro_abc123
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# Connected! Bob sends "Hello!" automatically
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# Now type messages in either terminal to chat!
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# To see your chats:
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/chats
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# Output: alice (active)
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# To switch between chats (if you have multiple):
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/switch alice
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```
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## Architecture
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```
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chat-cli/
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├── src/
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│ ├── main.rs # Entry point
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│ ├── app.rs # Application state and logic
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│ ├── transport.rs # File-based message transport
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│ └── ui.rs # Ratatui terminal UI
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```
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