BeeChat is real-time chat service for Hive built by Hive-Engine. You probably have read the announcement post by @aggroed. If you have a Hive account, you can start chatting immediately with other users from the websites which would implement BeeChat in them.

Hive-Engine is open sourcing BeeChat client website which may help other developers to add chat feature in their website or mobile apps.

BeeChat Demo: https://beechat.hive-engine.com/
BeeChat Client: https://github.com/hive-engine/beechat-frontend

Client website is written in Vue JS, the logic for implementation on other frameworks should be similar. In future we will provide a embed-able chat widget code which will make it very easy to add the chat in any website.

BeeChat Developer Documentation

API

Base URL: https://beechat.hive-engine.com/api

`GET /users/login`

Logs in a user.

Query Parameters

username: String - Hive username, e.g. reazuliqbal
ts: Number - Timestamp in miliseconds, e.g. 1601355471900
sig: String - Signed username + timestamp using user's posting/active key. e.g. reazuliqbal1601355471900

Example Response

{
  "username": "reazuliqbal",
  "admin": true,
  "ws_token": "01EKC3JVR2D81AM8Z9S3Q0NVAJ"
}

`GET /users/verify`

Verifies if the current access token is valid. If the access token is not valid and there is a refresh token, then a new access token will be issued.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Response

{
  "username": "reazuliqbal",
  "ws_token": "01EKC3JVR2D81AM8Z9S3Q0NVAJ"
}

`GET /users/refresh-token`

Requests a new access token.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Response

{
  "username": "reazuliqbal",
  "ws_token": "01EKC3JVR2D81AM8Z9S3Q0NVAJ"
}

`GET /users/friends`

Returns user's friends and blocked list.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Response

{
    "friends": ["codebull", "bdcommunity", "aggroed"],
    "blocked": ["reazul-dev"]
}

`GET /users/friend-requests`

Returns an array of user's pending friend requests.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Response

[{
    "id": "01EKC46ZMG111C2HYABE80WE8T",
    "username": "reazul-dev"
}]

`GET /users/settings`

Returns user's settings.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Response

{
  "dm": {
    "only_from_friends": false
  }
}

`POST /users/settings`

Updates the user's settings.

Payload

dm - Object
-- only_from_friends: Boolean

Example Response

{
  "dm": {
    "only_from_friends": false
  }
}

`GET /users/channels`

Returns an array of user-created channels.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Payload

[{
  "moderators": [],
  "members": ["reazuliqbal"],
  "blocked": false,
  "type": "channel",
  "name": "BDCommunity Chat",
  "creator": "reazuliqbal",
  "created_at": "2020-09-29T05:17:43.848Z",
  "updated_at": "2020-09-29T05:17:43.848Z",
  "id": "01EKC4Q317YM484Z7BMVG9Y1K0"
},
....
....
]

`POST /users/channels`

Creates a new channel.

Payload

name: String

Example Response

{
  "id": "01EKC4Q317YM484Z7BMVG9Y1K0",
  "name": "BDCommunity Chat",
  "creator": "reazuliqbal"
}

`GET /users/logout`

Logs out the user.

`GET /messages/conversations`

Returns an array of user's conversations.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Response

[{
  "moderators": [],
  "members": ["codebull", "reazuliqbal"],
  "blocked": false,
  "type": "dm",
  "creator": "reazuliqbal",
  "created_at": "2020-09-29T04:09:31.453Z",
  "updated_at": "2020-09-29T04:09:51.596Z",
  "id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR"
},
.....
.....
]

`GET /messages/conversation`

Returns details of a conversation.

Query Parameters

id: String - ID of a conversation
ids: String - Comma separated IDs of conversations

Either id, or ids is required.

Example Response

{
  "moderators": [],
  "members": ["codebull", "reazuliqbal"],
  "blocked": false,
  "type": "dm",
  "creator": "reazuliqbal",
  "created_at": "2020-09-29T04:09:31.453Z",
  "updated_at": "2020-09-29T04:09:51.596Z",
  "id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR"
}

`GET /messages/new`

Return an array of unread messages.

Query Parameters

No parameters are needed.

Example Response

[{
  "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR",
  "from": "codebull",
  "to": "reazuliqbal",
  "content": "Whats up?",
  "timestamp": "2020-09-29T05:31:56.399Z",
  "id": "01EKC5H3KFSWN7FE9XT497HGQT"
},
....
....
]

`GET /messages/chats`

Query Parameters

conversation_id: String. Required - Conversation ID
before: Number. Optional - Timestamp from which to return messages
limit: Number. Optional - Number of messages to return

Example Response

[{
  "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR",
  "from": "reazuliqbal",
  "to": "codebull",
  "content": "Hey, first message from BeeChat",
  "timestamp": "2020-09-29T04:09:31.473Z",
  "id": "01EKC0T6JHCGEPGPSMRB3X88RR",
  "read": true
}, {
  "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR",
  "from": "codebull",
  "to": "reazuliqbal",
  "content": "Hey Hey!",
  "timestamp": "2020-09-29T04:09:51.617Z",
  "id": "01EKC0TT81T2WGRKKYPQRXWGVA",
  "read": true
},
....
....
]

WebSocket

Server: wss://ws.beechat.hive-engine.com

A WebSocket server is for two way communication between a server and a user, this facilitates the real-time chatting. As soon as a user connects to the WebSocket server, they should authenticate themselves otherwise the connection will be closed by the server.

The server will only accept JSON message and will also reply in JSON.

Protocol

{
  "type": String,
  "payload": Object
}

Authentication

Authenticate the user with the server.

Message

{
  "type": "authenticate",
  "payload": {}
}

Response

{
  "type": "status",
  "payload": {
    "authenticated": true
  }
}

authenticated could be true or false depending on the user's authentication status.

Create Conversation

Creates a DM or group conversation.

Payload

to: String (dm) or Array (group)
message: String

Message

// DM
{
  "type": "create-conversation",
  "payload": {
    "to": "reazuliqbal",
    "message": "Hi"
  }
}

// GROUP
{
  "type": "create-conversation",
  "payload": {
    "to": ["codebull", "reazul-dev"],
    "message": "This is a group conversation!"
  }
}

Response

The server will respond with two messages. One for the created conversation and one for the new chat message.

{
  "type": "conversation-created",
  "payload": {
    "moderators": [],
    "members": ["codebull", "reazul-dev", "reazuliqbal"],
    "blocked": false,
    "type": "group",
    "creator": "reazuliqbal",
    "created_at": "2020-09-29T06:16:25.695Z",
    "updated_at": "2020-09-29T06:16:25.695Z",
    "id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER"
  }
}

{"type":"chat-message","payload":{"id":"01EKC82JBDQD25B94NZRSH2FMX","conversation_id":"01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER","content":"This is a group conversation!","from":"reazuliqbal","to":null,"read":false,"timestamp":"2020-09-29T06:16:25.709Z"}}

Rename Conversation

Renames a group conversation. Only the creator can rename a conversation.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation to be renamed.
name: String - New name

Message

{
  "type": "rename-conversation",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "name": "The Awesome Group"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "conversation-renamed",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "name": "The Awesome Group"
  }
}

Leave Conversation

Leaves a conversation.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation.

Message

{
  "type": "leave-conversation",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER"
  }
}

Response

To user:

{
  "type": "conversation-removed",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER"
  }
}

To all members:

{
  "type": "member-left",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "member": "codebull"
  }
}

Chat Message

Send a new chat message.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation.
to : String (dm) or null (group) - Username of the recipient or null
message: String - Message to be sent to the chat

Message

// DM
{
  "type": "chat-message",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR",
    "to": "reazuliqbal",
    "message": "Hey"
  }
}
// GROUP
{
  "type": "chat-message",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "to": null,
    "message": "Hey!"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "chat-message",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCA9BWCJXQEPMVF047QQFXW",
    "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR",
    "content": "Hey",
    "from": "codebull",
    "to": "reazuliqbal",
    "read": false,
    "timestamp": "2020-09-29T06:55:05.613Z"
  }
}

Delete Message

Deletes a message from chat. The sender can delete a message. Creator and Moderators can delete any message from a group chat.

Payload

id: String - ID of the message

Message

{
  "type": "delete-message",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCAE9KSKTQ7SHX0P0PZZ53Z"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "message-deleted",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCAE9KSKTQ7SHX0P0PZZ53Z"
  }
}

Acknowledgment

Sets a conversation as read.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation

Message

{
  "type": "acknowledgment",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "acknowledged",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR"
  }
}

Add Member

Adds a new member to a group conversation. Creator and Moderators can add a new member.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation to be renamed.
username: String - New member's Hive username

Message

{
  "type": "add-member",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "bdcommunity"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "member-added",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "bdcommunity"
  }
}

Remove Member

Removes a member from a group conversation. Creator and Moderators can remove a member.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation to be renamed.
username: String - Hive username of the member to be removed.

Message

{
  "type": "remove-member",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "bdcommunity"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "member-removed",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "bdcommunity"
  }
}

Add Moderator

Adds a new moderator for a group conversation.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation.
username: String - Hive username of the member.

Message

{
  "type": "add-moderator",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "moderator-added",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Remove Moderator

Removes a moderator. Only the Creator can remove a moderator.

Payload

conversation_id: String - ID of the conversation.
username: String - Hive username of the member.

Message

{
  "type": "remove-moderator",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "moderator-removed",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC82JAMV9JQ1PPG9CNDF3ER",
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Request Friendship

Sends a friend request.

Payload

username: String - Hive username

Message

{
  "type": "request-friendship",
  "payload": {
    "username": "reazuliqbal"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "friendship-requested",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCB8D4PVDHBQ4MC7T4JFYAB",
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Accept Friendship

Accepts a friend request.

Payload

id: String - ID of the friend request

Message

{
  "type": "accept-friendship",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCB8D4PVDHBQ4MC7T4JFYAB"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "friendship-accepted",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCB8D4PVDHBQ4MC7T4JFYAB",
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Reject Friendship

Rejects a friend request.

Payload

id: String - ID of the friend request

Message

{
  "type": "reject-friendship",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCBKXX88MANDK8FWNQAG8AB"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "friendship-rejected",
  "payload": {
    "id": "01EKCBKXX88MANDK8FWNQAG8AB"
  }
}

Remove Friendship

Removes a friend.

Payload

username: String - Hive username

Message

{
  "type": "remove-friendship",
  "payload": {
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "friendship-removed",
  "payload": {
    "username": "reazul-dev"
  }
}

Block User

Blocks a user, blocking a user will remove them from the friend list.

Payload

username: String - Hive username

Message

{
  "type": "block-user",
  "payload": {
    "username": "codebull"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "user-blocked",
  "payload": {
    "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR",
    "username": "codebull"
  }
}

Unblock User

Unblocks a user.

Payload

username: String - Hive username

Message

{
  "type": "unblock-user",
  "payload": {
    "username": "codebull"
  }
}

Response

{
  "type": "user-unblocked",
  "payload": {
    "username": "codebull",
    "conversation_id": "01EKC0T6HEVRDP0CYGZAE6VVFR"
  }
}

Re-authentication Required

Server will send reauthentication-required message 1 minute before authentication is about to expire. Do listen to those messages for renewing authentication by requesting a new access token from the /users/refresh-token API endpoint.

Response

{
  "type": "reauthentication-required",
  "payload": {
    "username": "codebull"
  }
}

Please note that this service is in Beta. If you find any bug, please report them to me @reazuliqbal (reazuliqbal#1149). If you need any help in implementing this chat, feel free to contact me on Discord.

I am running a Hive Witness as @BDCommunity.

Please vote for @BDCommunity as a witness.

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Open sourcing BeeChat Client And Developer Documentation

BeeChat Developer Documentation

API

`GET /users/login`

`GET /users/verify`

`GET /users/refresh-token`

`GET /users/friends`

`GET /users/friend-requests`

`GET /users/settings`

`POST /users/settings`

`GET /users/channels`

`POST /users/channels`

`GET /users/logout`

`GET /messages/conversations`

`GET /messages/conversation`

`GET /messages/new`

`GET /messages/chats`

WebSocket

Authentication

Create Conversation

Rename Conversation

Leave Conversation

Chat Message

Delete Message

Acknowledgment

Add Member

Remove Member

Add Moderator

Remove Moderator

Request Friendship

Accept Friendship

Reject Friendship

Remove Friendship

Block User

Unblock User

Re-authentication Required