Inchat - Zero-Dependency Secure Chat

A full-featured chat server built using ONLY Python Standard Library.

Client: Personal / R&D Year: 2026 Duration: 3 days

Technologies Used

Python (Standard Lib)SQLiteVanilla JavaScriptWeb Crypto API (AES-GCM)HTML5 & CSS3Threading

Challenge

Building a modern chat application usually requires heavy frameworks (Django/Flask) and external dependencies. The challenge was to create a robust, secure messenger with Voice and Video notes capabilities using *nothing* but Python's built-in modules, ensuring persistence and concurrency without `pip install`.

Solution

I utilized Python's `http.server` and `socketserver` with `ThreadingMixIn` to handle concurrent requests. The frontend is a Single Page Application (SPA) served as a string, using Vanilla JS. Key achievements include implementing Client-Side Encryption (Web Crypto API) so the server never sees raw text, and building a custom media handler for circular "Video Notes" and voice messages using the MediaRecorder API.

Key Features

Zero External Dependencies
End-to-End Encryption
Video & Voice Notes
Threaded Polling System

Project Process

Phase 1: Core Server

Implementing a custom HTTP handler using `http.server` and setting up SQLite.

Phase 2: Security

Implementing PBKDF2 and AES-GCM encryption in JS and Python fallback logic.

Phase 3: Media Handling

Adding support for Voice recording and circular Video Notes (blob handling).

Phase 4: UI/UX

Building a responsive interface with Dark Mode and Swipe-to-Reply.

Results

0 Dependencies (No pip install)

AES-256 Client-Side Encryption

<2MB Memory Footprint