Secura Blockchain Messaging App

Secura is a decentralized, end-to-end encrypted messaging app built on a Secura Chain. Messages are stored off-chain on IPFS, and only message CIDs and metadata are stored on-chain for privacy and scalability.

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Features

• Decentralized Messaging: Send and receive messages using your blockchain account.
• IPFS Storage: Message content is stored on IPFS; only CIDs are stored on-chain.
• Contact List: Sidebar shows all contacts you've chatted with.
• Chat UI: Modern chat interface with message bubbles, timestamps, and contact selection.
• Polkadot.js Extension: Sign in and send messages using your Polkadot.js wallet.
• Local Time Display: Message timestamps are shown in your system's local time.
• CID Safety: CIDs are encoded/decoded safely for Substrate compatibility.

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js and npm
• Polkadot.js browser extension
• Local Substrate node running with the Secura messaging pallet
• Local IPFS node running (http://127.0.0.1:5001)

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone <your-repo-url>
   cd secura-app/

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the app:

   npm start

   The app will open at http://localhost:3000.

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Usage

• Select Account: Choose your blockchain account from the dropdown.
• Select Contact: Click a contact in the sidebar to view your chat.
• Send Message: Type your message and press Enter or click Send.
• View Messages: Messages are loaded from IPFS and shown in the chat window.
• Hover Contact: Hover over a contact to see their full address.

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Project Structure

• src/App.js — Main React component, handles blockchain, IPFS, and UI logic.
• src/App.css — Basic styling for the chat interface.
• pallets/messaging/ — Substrate pallet for on-chain message metadata.

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Troubleshooting

• IPFS Fetch Failed: Make sure your IPFS daemon is running and accessible at http://127.0.0.1:5001.
• No Accounts: Install and set up the Polkadot.js browser extension.
• Wrong Timestamps: Set the correct GENESIS_TIMESTAMP in App.js to match your chain's genesis block.

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Customization

• Change Block Time: Edit BLOCK_TIME_MS in App.js if your chain uses a different block time.
• Change Genesis Timestamp: Edit GENESIS_TIMESTAMP in App.js to match your chain's genesis block (in ms).

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License

MIT

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Acknowledgements

• Substrate
• IPFS
• Polkadot.js