To start the server, open up the terminal, and execute the following commands once inside the "messenger" directory:
cd server
npm i
nodemon server.js
To start the client, open up the terminal, and execute the following commands once inside the "messenger" directory:
cd client
npm i
npm run start
The messenger works locally, so in order to test it, open a private tab in Chrome and a private tab in Safari.
Press "Create A New ID" in both tabs. There is a unique ID for each user in the left bottom corner.
In the first tab, go to "Contacts" tab and press "New Contact" button. Enter the ID from the second tab, enter a name and press "Create".
Then, still in the first tab, go to "Conversations" tab, press "Create Conversation", select the entered name and press "Create".
Still in the first tab, enter your message and press "Send".
Now in the second tab you will see the message you sent.
You can copy the ID of the sender and create a new contact.
You can also send a reply and they will see it in real-time.