Collavi

Collavi is a modern, full-stack communication platform that connects people based on shared skills and professional domains. Designed to foster collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange, it enables real-time chat and video calls—making it easy to grow and connect within your community.

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Purpose

Collavi bridges the gap between professionals and learners by allowing users to:

• Connect with peers in the same skill areas or industries
• Seek help and mentorship from experienced practitioners
• Resolve doubts through real-time chat and video consultations
• Collaborate on projects with like-minded individuals
• Share resources and grow the knowledge ecosystem

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Features

• Domain-Based Matching: Discover users with similar skills and interests
• Real-Time Chat: Instant messaging with Socket.io and persistent history
• Video Consultations: One-click video calls powered by GetStream Video SDK
• Friend Network: Send requests and build professional connections
• Knowledge Sharing: Exchange insights, documents, and useful links
• Personalized Profiles: Showcase your expertise, skills, and availability
• Notifications: Real-time alerts for messages, calls, and requests

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Tech Stack

Frontend

• React
• Tailwind CSS
• Stream Chat React SDK
• Stream Video React SDK

Backend

• Node.js
• Express
• Socket.io
• MongoDB

Others

• React Query, Context API
• Build Tools: Vite, npm
• APIs: GetStream Chat & Video

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v18+ recommended)
• MongoDB (local or cloud)
• GetStream account with API keys

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📦 Installation

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/your-username/collavi.git
cd collavi

2. Install Dependencies

Backend:

cd backend
npm install

Frontend:

cd ../frontend
npm install

3. Set Up Environment Variables

Create .env files in both backend and frontend directories.

Backend .env:

PORT=8000
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string
JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret
STREAM_API_KEY=your_stream_api_key
STREAM_API_SECRET=your_stream_api_secret

Frontend .env:

VITE_BACKEND_URL=http://localhost:8000
VITE_STREAM_API_KEY=your_stream_api_key

4. Start the Servers

Backend:

cd backend
npm run dev

Frontend:

cd ../frontend
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:5173 to start using Collavi.

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How It Works

1. Create Your Profile – Sign up and add your skills, domains, and interests
2. Discover Connections – Find people with shared skills and goals
3. Build Your Network – Send friend requests and grow your professional circle
4. Chat Instantly – Collaborate, resolve doubts, and share ideas
5. Start Video Calls – Face-to-face discussions for deeper engagement
6. Share Resources – Exchange links, documents, and tutorials

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Use Cases

• Students: Collaborate on coursework and exam prep
• Developers: Debug code, share snippets, or build side projects
• Designers: Exchange feedback and portfolio reviews
• Entrepreneurs: Network for ideas and partnership opportunities
• Mentors: Offer guidance to learners in your domain
• Job Seekers: Connect with professionals in your target industry

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📁 Project Structure

collavi/
├── backend/             # Node.js backend with Express, MongoDB, and Socket.io
│   ├── controllers/
│   ├── routes/
│   ├── models/
│   ├── config/
│   └── ...
├── frontend/            # React frontend with Stream SDKs and Tailwind CSS
│   ├── components/
│   ├── pages/
│   ├── context/
│   └── ...

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome!

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch: git checkout -b feature-name
3. Commit your changes: git commit -m 'Add feature'
4. Push to the branch: git push origin feature-name
5. Open a Pull Request

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📝 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

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Collavi – Connect, Collaborate, and Grow Together!