Support Chat - Django Live Chat Application

A real-time chat support system built with Django for CSCI 1100 course assistants to provide live help to students. See it deployed at: https://classmanager.co/chat/

Features

• Student Interface: Students can initiate chat sessions without authentication
• Technician Dashboard: Course assistants can view and join waiting chats
• Multi-technician Support: Multiple assistants can collaborate on a single chat
• File Attachments: Support for images, documents, code files, and more
• Schedule Management: Configure support hours and special schedule overrides
• Session-based Access: Students can reconnect to their chats using browser sessions
• Real-time Updates: Auto-refreshing chat interfaces with notification sounds

Technology Stack

• Backend: Django 5.1.7+
• Database: SQLite (development) / PostgreSQL (production)
• Server: Gunicorn + Nginx (production)
• Frontend: Bootstrap 5.3 with custom CSS
• File Storage: Local filesystem with automatic cleanup

Project Structure

support_chat/
├── accounts/         # User management and authentication
├── chat/             # Core chat functionality
├── static/           # CSS, JavaScript, images
├── templates/        # HTML templates
├── media/            # Uploaded files (generated)
├── manage.py         # Django management script
├── dev_runserver.sh  # Development server launcher
└── support_chat/     # Project settings
    ├── settings.py      # Production settings
    └── settings_dev.py  # Development settings

Installation

Development Setup

1. Clone the repository

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd support_chat

2. Create a virtual environment

   python -m venv .venv
   source .venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate

3. Install dependencies

   pip install -r requirements.txt

4. Run migrations

   python manage.py migrate --settings=support_chat.settings_dev

5. Create a system manager account

   python manage.py create_system_manager \
       --settings=support_chat.settings_dev \
       username \
       email@etsu.edu \
       password \
       "First" \
       "Last" \
       "System Manager" \
       "Computing"

6. Initialize default schedule (optional)

   python manage.py init_schedule --settings=support_chat.settings_dev

7. Run the development server

   ./dev_runserver.sh
   # Or manually:
   python manage.py runserver --settings=support_chat.settings_dev

8. Access the application
   • Student interface: http://localhost:8000/
   • Staff login: http://localhost:8000/accounts/login/
   • Admin interface: http://localhost:8000/admin/

Production Setup

See Production Setup Guide

Management Commands

Create System Manager

python manage.py create_system_manager [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev] \
    username email@etsu.edu password "First" "Last" "Job Title" "Departments"

Initialize Default Schedule

# Business hours (9 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri)
python manage.py init_schedule [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev]

# Extended hours (9 AM - 6 PM, Mon-Fri)
python manage.py init_schedule --extended-hours [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev]

# Finals week (9 AM - 7 PM, Mon-Fri)
python manage.py init_schedule --finals-week [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev]

# Force overwrite existing schedule
python manage.py init_schedule --force [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev]

Clean Up Old Chats

# Delete closed chats older than 7 days (dry run)
python manage.py cleanup_old_chats --dry-run [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev]

# Actually delete them
python manage.py cleanup_old_chats [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev]

# Custom retention period
python manage.py cleanup_old_chats --days 30 [--settings=support_chat.settings_dev]

User Roles

System Manager

• Full administrative access
• Can create and manage technician accounts
• Can configure support schedules
• Can create schedule overrides for holidays/special events
• Can join and manage all chats

Technician (Course Assistant)

• Can view waiting chats on the dashboard
• Can join and respond to student chats
• Can upload files and use quick responses
• Can close completed chats

Student

• No account required (session-based)
• Can start chat sessions
• Can send messages and upload files
• Can leave chats voluntarily

Configuration

File Upload Settings

Located in settings.py and settings_dev.py:

• Maximum file size per upload: 5 MB
• Maximum total size per message: 25 MB
• Maximum files per message: 10
• Supported file types: Images, documents, code files, archives

Session Settings

• Session duration: 24 hours
• Sessions persist across browser restarts
• Students can reconnect using the same session

Schedule Management

• Configure weekly support hours by day
• Set special hours for holidays/events
• Override regular schedule for specific dates
• Real-time availability status on landing page

Development Notes

Running Tests

python manage.py test --settings=support_chat.settings_dev

Development Server Script

The dev_runserver.sh script automatically uses development settings:

./dev_runserver.sh

Database Migrations

When making model changes:

python manage.py makemigrations --settings=support_chat.settings_dev
python manage.py migrate --settings=support_chat.settings_dev

License

Do-whatever-you-want license :P