Awesome-omni-skills chat-widget

Live Support Chat Widget workflow skill. Use this skill when the user needs Build a real-time support chat system with a floating widget for users and an admin dashboard for support staff. Use when the user wants live chat, customer support chat, real-time messaging, or in-app support and the operator should preserve the upstream workflow, copied support files, and provenance before merging or handing off.

install
source · Clone the upstream repo
git clone https://github.com/diegosouzapw/awesome-omni-skills
Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/diegosouzapw/awesome-omni-skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/chat-widget" ~/.claude/skills/diegosouzapw-awesome-omni-skills-chat-widget && rm -rf "$T"
manifest: skills/chat-widget/SKILL.md
source content

Live Support Chat Widget

Overview

This public intake copy packages

plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/chat-widget
from
https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills
into the native Omni Skills editorial shape without hiding its origin.

Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.

This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses

metadata.json
plus
ORIGIN.md
as the provenance anchor for review.

Live Support Chat Widget Build a real-time support chat system with a floating widget for users and an admin dashboard for support staff.

Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: Architecture Overview, Implementation Guide, Key Design Decisions, Testing Checklist, Common Pitfalls, Framework-Specific Guidance.

When to Use This Skill

Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.

  • Add a live chat widget to their app
  • Build customer support chat functionality
  • Create real-time messaging between users and admins
  • Add an in-app support channel
  • Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Build a real-time support chat system with a floating widget for users and an admin dashboard for support staff. Use when the user wants live chat, customer support chat, real-time messaging, or in-app support.
  • Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.

Operating Table

SituationStart hereWhy it matters
First-time use
metadata.json
Confirms repository, branch, commit, and imported path before touching the copied workflow
Provenance review
ORIGIN.md
Gives reviewers a plain-language audit trail for the imported source
Workflow execution
SKILL.md
Starts with the smallest copied file that materially changes execution
Supporting context
SKILL.md
Adds the next most relevant copied source file without loading the entire package
Handoff decision
## Related Skills
Helps the operator switch to a stronger native skill when the task drifts

Workflow

This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.

  1. Postmark - Best deliverability, simple API
  2. SendGrid - Good free tier, robust
  3. AWS SES - Cheapest at scale
  4. Resend - Modern DX, React email templates
  5. Include message preview (truncated)
  6. Add direct link to open chat (if web app)
  7. Keep subject simple: "New reply from [App] Support"

Imported Workflow Notes

Imported: Email Processing Recommendations

Transactional Email Services

  • Postmark - Best deliverability, simple API
  • SendGrid - Good free tier, robust
  • AWS SES - Cheapest at scale
  • Resend - Modern DX, React email templates

Implementation Pattern

// Always use background jobs for email
Job: SendSupportReplyNotification
  delay: 5 minutes after admin message

  perform(message_id):
    message = find_message(message_id)

    // Guard clauses - don't send if:
    if message.sender_type != 'admin': return
    if message.read_at != null: return        // Already read
    if message.chat.archived?: return         // Chat archived

    send_email(
      to: message.chat.user.email,
      template: 'support_reply',
      data: { message_preview: message.content.truncate(200) }
    )

Email Template Tips

  • Include message preview (truncated)
  • Add direct link to open chat (if web app)
  • Keep subject simple: "New reply from [App] Support"
  • Include unsubscribe link for compliance

Imported: Architecture Overview

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        FRONTEND                                 │
├─────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────┤
│   User Widget               │   Admin Dashboard                 │
│   - Floating chat button    │   - Chat list (active/archived)   │
│   - Message panel           │   - Conversation view             │
│   - Unread badge            │   - Archive/restore controls      │
│   - Connection indicator    │   - User info display             │
└─────────────┬───────────────┴───────────────┬───────────────────┘
              │                               │
              │     WebSocket + REST API      │
              ▼                               ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        BACKEND                                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   Channels                  │   Controllers                     │
│   - ChatChannel (per chat)  │   - User: get/create chat         │
│   - AdminChannel (global)   │   - Admin: list, view, archive    │
├─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┤
│   Models                    │   Jobs                            │
│   - Chat (1 per user)       │   - Email notification (delayed)  │
│   - Message (many per chat) │                                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Examples

Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly

Use @chat-widget to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.

Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.

Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review

Review @chat-widget against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.

Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.

Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution

Use @chat-widget for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.

Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.

Example 4: Build a reviewer packet

Review @chat-widget using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.

Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.

Best Practices

Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.

  • Keep the imported skill grounded in the upstream repository; do not invent steps that the source material cannot support.
  • Prefer the smallest useful set of support files so the workflow stays auditable and fast to review.
  • Keep provenance, source commit, and imported file paths visible in notes and PR descriptions.
  • Point directly at the copied upstream files that justify the workflow instead of relying on generic review boilerplate.
  • Treat generated examples as scaffolding; adapt them to the concrete task before execution.
  • Route to a stronger native skill when architecture, debugging, design, or security concerns become dominant.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically

Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in

plugins/antigravity-awesome-skills-claude/skills/chat-widget
, fails to mention provenance, or does not use any copied source files at all. Solution: Re-open
metadata.json
,
ORIGIN.md
, and the most relevant copied upstream files. Load only the files that materially change the answer, then restate the provenance before continuing.

Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review

Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated

SKILL.md
, but they cannot quickly tell which references, examples, or scripts matter for the current task. Solution: Point at the exact copied references, examples, scripts, or assets that justify the path you took. If the gap is still real, record it in the PR instead of hiding it.

Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization

Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better. Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.

Related Skills

  • @burp-suite-testing
    - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
  • @burpsuite-project-parser
    - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
  • @business-analyst
    - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
  • @busybox-on-windows
    - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

Additional Resources

Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.

Resource familyWhat it gives the reviewerExample path
references
copied reference notes, guides, or background material from upstream
references/n/a
examples
worked examples or reusable prompts copied from upstream
examples/n/a
scripts
upstream helper scripts that change execution or validation
scripts/n/a
agents
routing or delegation notes that are genuinely part of the imported package
agents/n/a
assets
supporting assets or schemas copied from the source package
assets/n/a

Imported Reference Notes

Imported: Implementation Guide

Step 1: Data Models

Create two tables:

support_chats
and
support_messages
.

support_chats

id              - primary key (UUID recommended)
user_id         - foreign key to users (UNIQUE - one chat per user)
last_message_at - timestamp (for sorting chats by recency)
admin_viewed_at - timestamp (tracks when admin last viewed)
archived_at     - timestamp (null = active, set = archived)
created_at
updated_at

support_messages

id              - primary key (UUID recommended)
chat_id         - foreign key to support_chats
content         - text (required)
sender_type     - enum: 'user' | 'admin'
read_at         - timestamp (null = unread)
created_at
updated_at

Key indexes:

  • support_chats.user_id
    (unique)
  • support_chats.last_message_at
    (for sorting)
  • support_chats.archived_at
    (for filtering)
  • support_messages.chat_id
  • support_messages.(chat_id, created_at)
    (composite, for ordering)

Model relationships:

User has_one SupportChat
SupportChat belongs_to User
SupportChat has_many SupportMessages
SupportMessage belongs_to SupportChat

Model methods to implement:

Chat model:

function touch_last_message()
  update last_message_at = now()

function unread_for_admin?()
  return exists message where sender_type = 'user'
    and created_at > admin_viewed_at

function mark_viewed_by_admin()
  update admin_viewed_at = now()

function archive()
  update archived_at = now()

function unarchive()
  update archived_at = null

function archived?()
  return archived_at != null

Message model:

after_create:
  chat.touch_last_message()
  if sender_type == 'user' and chat.archived?:
    chat.unarchive()  // Auto-reactivate on new user message

after_create_commit:
  broadcast_to_chat_channel(message_data)
  if sender_type == 'user':
    broadcast_to_admin_notification_channel(message_data, chat_info)
  if sender_type == 'admin':
    schedule_email_notification(delay: 5.minutes)

Step 2: API Endpoints

User-facing:

GET  /support_chat       - Get or create user's chat with messages
PATCH /support_chat/mark_read - Mark admin messages as read

Admin-facing:

GET  /admin/chats              - List chats (query: archived=true/false)
GET  /admin/chats/:id          - Get chat with messages
POST /admin/chats/:id/archive  - Archive chat
POST /admin/chats/:id/unarchive - Restore chat

Controller logic:

User GET /support_chat:

function show()
  chat = current_user.support_chat || create_chat(user: current_user)
  return {
    id: chat.id,
    messages: chat.messages.map(m => serialize_message(m))
  }

Admin GET /admin/chats:

function index()
  chats = SupportChat
    .where(archived_at: params.archived ? not_null : null)
    .includes(:user, :messages)
    .order(last_message_at: desc)

  return chats.map(c => {
    id: c.id,
    user_email: c.user.email,
    last_message_preview: c.messages.last?.content.truncate(100),
    last_message_sender: c.messages.last?.sender_type,
    message_count: c.messages.count,
    unread: c.unread_for_admin?,
    archived: c.archived?
  })

Step 3: WebSocket Channels

Create two channels for real-time communication.

ChatChannel (specific to each chat):

class ChatChannel
  on_subscribe(chat_id):
    chat = find_chat(chat_id)
    if not authorized(chat):
      reject()
      return
    stream_from "support_chat:#{chat_id}"

  function authorized(chat):
    return chat.user_id == current_user.id OR current_user.is_admin

  action send_message(content):
    if content.blank: return
    sender_type = current_user.is_admin ? 'admin' : 'user'
    chat.messages.create(content: content, sender_type: sender_type)

AdminNotificationChannel (global for all admins):

class AdminNotificationChannel
  on_subscribe:
    if not current_user.is_admin:
      reject()
      return
    stream_from "admin_support_notifications"

Broadcasting (from Message model):

function broadcast_message():
  message_data = {
    id: id,
    content: content,
    sender_type: sender_type,
    read_at: read_at,
    created_at: created_at
  }

  // Broadcast to chat subscribers (user + any viewing admins)
  broadcast("support_chat:#{chat.id}", {
    type: "new_message",
    message: message_data
  })

  // Notify all admins when user sends message
  if sender_type == 'user':
    broadcast("admin_support_notifications", {
      type: "new_user_message",
      chat_id: chat.id,
      user_email: chat.user.email,
      message: message_data
    })

Step 4: Frontend - User Widget

Create a floating chat widget with these components:

Component structure:

ChatWidget (root container)
├── ChatButton (fixed position, bottom-right)
│   ├── Icon (message bubble when closed, X when open)
│   └── UnreadBadge (shows count, caps at "9+")
└── ChatPanel (slides up when open)
    ├── Header (title + connection status dot)
    ├── MessageList (scrollable)
    │   └── MessageBubble (styled by sender_type)
    └── InputArea
        ├── Textarea (auto-expanding)
        └── SendButton

State management hook:

function useSupportChat():
  state:
    chat: Chat | null
    connected: boolean
    loading: boolean

  refs:
    consumer: WebSocketConsumer
    subscription: ChannelSubscription
    seenMessageIds: Set<string>  // For deduplication

  on_mount:
    fetch('/support_chat')
      .then(data => {
        chat = data
        seenMessageIds.addAll(data.messages.map(m => m.id))
      })

  when chat.id changes:
    subscription = consumer.subscribe('ChatChannel', { chat_id: chat.id })
    subscription.on_received(data => {
      if data.type == 'new_message':
        if seenMessageIds.has(data.message.id): return  // Dedupe
        seenMessageIds.add(data.message.id)
        chat.messages.push(data.message)
        if data.message.sender_type == 'admin':
          play_notification_sound()
    })
    subscription.on_connected(() => connected = true)
    subscription.on_disconnected(() => connected = false)

  on_unmount:
    subscription.unsubscribe()

  function sendMessage(content):
    subscription.perform('send_message', { content: content.trim() })

  function markAsRead():
    fetch('/support_chat/mark_read', { method: 'PATCH' })
    // Update local state to mark admin messages as read

  return { chat, connected, loading, sendMessage, markAsRead }

Widget behavior:

  • Show floating button at bottom-right corner (fixed position)
  • Display unread count badge (count messages where sender_type='admin' and read_at=null)
  • Toggle panel open/closed on button click
  • Auto-call markAsRead() when panel opens
  • Auto-scroll to bottom when new messages arrive
  • Show connection status indicator (green dot = connected)
  • Keyboard: Enter to send, Shift+Enter for newline

Message styling:

  • User messages: right-aligned, primary color background
  • Admin messages: left-aligned, secondary/muted background
  • Show timestamp on each message

Step 5: Frontend - Admin Dashboard

Create two pages: chat list and chat detail.

Chat List Page:

Header: "Support Chats"
Tabs: [Active] [Archived]

Chat cards (sorted by last_message_at desc):
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [Unread indicator] user@example.com     │
│ Last message preview text...            │
│ 5 messages · 2 minutes ago              │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Features:

  • Tab filtering (active vs archived)
  • Unread indicator (highlight border or badge)
  • Click to navigate to detail
  • Show "You: " prefix if last message was from admin

Chat Detail Page:

Header: user@example.com [Archive/Restore button]
Back link

Messages (grouped by date):
──── Monday, January 29 ────
[User bubble]  Message content
               10:30 AM

          [Admin bubble] Reply content
                         10:35 AM

Input area (same as widget)

Features:

  • Group messages by date with dividers
  • User messages left, admin messages right (opposite of user widget)
  • Show sender label ("You" for admin, user email/name for user)
  • Archive/restore toggle button
  • Same WebSocket subscription as user widget for real-time updates
  • Call mark_viewed_by_admin() when page loads (server-side)

Step 6: Email Notifications

Send email to user when admin replies and user hasn't seen it.

Job/worker:

class SupportReplyNotificationJob
  perform(message):
    if message.sender_type != 'admin': return
    if message.read_at != null: return  // Already read, skip

    send_email(
      to: message.chat.user.email,
      subject: "New reply from Support",
      body: "You have a new message from our support team..."
    )

Scheduling:

  • Schedule job with 5-minute delay when admin sends message
  • This gives user time to see message in-app before email
  • Job checks if still unread before sending

Step 7: TypeScript Types

interface SupportMessage {
  id: string
  content: string
  sender_type: 'user' | 'admin'
  read_at: string | null  // ISO8601
  created_at: string      // ISO8601
}

interface SupportChat {
  id: string
  messages: SupportMessage[]
}

interface SupportChatListItem {
  id: string
  user_id: string
  user_email: string
  last_message_at: string | null
  last_message_preview: string | null
  last_message_sender: 'user' | 'admin' | null
  message_count: number
  unread: boolean
  archived: boolean
}

interface AdminSupportChat {
  id: string
  user_id: string
  user_email: string
  archived: boolean
  messages: SupportMessage[]
}

// WebSocket message types
interface ChatChannelMessage {
  type: 'new_message'
  message: SupportMessage
}

interface AdminNotificationMessage {
  type: 'new_user_message'
  chat_id: string
  user_email: string
  message: SupportMessage
}

Imported: Key Design Decisions

  1. One chat per user - Simplifies UX, user always has same conversation history
  2. Soft-delete via archiving - Preserves history, allows restore
  3. Auto-unarchive - When user sends message to archived chat, reactivate it
  4. Delayed email notifications - 5 min delay prevents spam for rapid replies
  5. Message deduplication - Track seen IDs to prevent duplicates from send + broadcast echo
  6. Separate admin channel - Allows future features like global unread count, desktop notifications

Imported: Testing Checklist

After implementation:

  • User can open widget and send message
  • Admin sees message in real-time on dashboard
  • Admin can reply and user sees it instantly
  • Unread badge shows correct count
  • Badge clears when widget opens
  • Connection indicator reflects actual status
  • Archive/restore works correctly
  • Auto-unarchive triggers on user message
  • Email sends after 5 min if message unread
  • Email does NOT send if user already read message
  • Messages appear in chronological order
  • No duplicate messages appear

Imported: Common Pitfalls

  1. Forgetting deduplication - Messages sent by current user echo back via broadcast
  2. Race conditions on read status - Use database transactions
  3. WebSocket auth - Verify user can access the specific chat
  4. Stale connection status - Handle reconnection gracefully
  5. Missing indexes - Add composite index on (chat_id, created_at)
  6. Email timing - Use background job, not synchronous send

Imported: Framework-Specific Guidance

Ruby on Rails

Models:

# app/models/support_chat.rb
class SupportChat < ApplicationRecord
  belongs_to :user
  has_many :support_messages, dependent: :destroy

  scope :active, -> { where(archived_at: nil) }
  scope :archived, -> { where.not(archived_at: nil) }
  scope :recent_first, -> { order(last_message_at: :desc) }

  def touch_last_message
    update_column(:last_message_at, Time.current)
  end

  def unread_for_admin?
    support_messages.where(sender_type: :user)
      .where("created_at > ?", admin_viewed_at || Time.at(0)).exists?
  end

  def archive!
    update_column(:archived_at, Time.current)
  end

  def unarchive!
    update_column(:archived_at, nil)
  end
end

# app/models/support_message.rb
class SupportMessage < ApplicationRecord
  belongs_to :support_chat
  enum :sender_type, { user: 0, admin: 1 }
  validates :content, presence: true

  after_create :update_chat_timestamp
  after_create :auto_unarchive, if: :user?
  after_create_commit :broadcast_message
  after_create_commit :schedule_notification, if: :admin?

  private

  def broadcast_message
    ActionCable.server.broadcast("support_chat:#{support_chat_id}", {
      type: "new_message",
      message: { id:, content:, sender_type:, read_at:, created_at: }
    })
  end

  def schedule_notification
    SupportReplyNotificationJob.set(wait: 5.minutes).perform_later(self)
  end
end

Channel:

# app/channels/support_chat_channel.rb
class SupportChatChannel < ApplicationCable::Channel
  def subscribed
    @chat = SupportChat.find(params[:chat_id])
    reject unless @chat.user_id == current_user.id || current_user.admin?
    stream_from "support_chat:#{@chat.id}"
  end

  def send_message(data)
    @chat.support_messages.create!(
      content: data["content"],
      sender_type: current_user.admin? ? :admin : :user
    )
  end
end

Migration:

create_table :support_chats, id: :uuid do |t|
  t.references :user, type: :uuid, null: false, foreign_key: true, index: { unique: true }
  t.datetime :last_message_at
  t.datetime :admin_viewed_at
  t.datetime :archived_at
  t.timestamps
end

create_table :support_messages, id: :uuid do |t|
  t.references :support_chat, type: :uuid, null: false, foreign_key: true
  t.text :content, null: false
  t.integer :sender_type, default: 0
  t.datetime :read_at
  t.timestamps
end
add_index :support_messages, [:support_chat_id, :created_at]

React (with any backend)

Hook:

// hooks/useSupportChat.ts
import { useEffect, useState, useRef, useCallback } from 'react'

export function useSupportChat(websocketUrl: string) {
  const [chat, setChat] = useState<Chat | null>(null)
  const [connected, setConnected] = useState(false)
  const wsRef = useRef<WebSocket | null>(null)
  const seenIds = useRef(new Set<string>())

  useEffect(() => {
    fetch('/api/support_chat').then(r => r.json()).then(data => {
      setChat(data)
      data.messages.forEach((m: Message) => seenIds.current.add(m.id))
    })
  }, [])

  useEffect(() => {
    if (!chat?.id) return
    const ws = new WebSocket(`${websocketUrl}?chat_id=${chat.id}`)
    wsRef.current = ws

    ws.onopen = () => setConnected(true)
    ws.onclose = () => setConnected(false)
    ws.onmessage = (event) => {
      const data = JSON.parse(event.data)
      if (data.type === 'new_message' && !seenIds.current.has(data.message.id)) {
        seenIds.current.add(data.message.id)
        setChat(prev => prev ? { ...prev, messages: [...prev.messages, data.message] } : prev)
      }
    }
    return () => ws.close()
  }, [chat?.id])

  const sendMessage = useCallback((content: string) => {
    wsRef.current?.send(JSON.stringify({ action: 'send_message', content }))
  }, [])

  return { chat, connected, sendMessage }
}

Widget Component:

// components/ChatWidget.tsx
export function ChatWidget() {
  const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false)
  const { chat, connected, sendMessage } = useSupportChat('/ws/chat')
  const [input, setInput] = useState('')
  const messagesEndRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)

  const unreadCount = chat?.messages.filter(
    m => m.sender_type === 'admin' && !m.read_at
  ).length ?? 0

  useEffect(() => {
    messagesEndRef.current?.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' })
  }, [chat?.messages])

  const handleSend = () => {
    if (!input.trim()) return
    sendMessage(input.trim())
    setInput('')
  }

  return (
    <div className="fixed bottom-4 right-4 z-50">
      {isOpen ? (
        <div className="w-80 h-96 bg-white rounded-lg shadow-xl flex flex-col">
          <header className="p-3 border-b flex justify-between items-center">
            <span>Support Chat</span>
            <span className={`w-2 h-2 rounded-full ${connected ? 'bg-green-500' : 'bg-gray-400'}`} />
          </header>
          <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-3 space-y-2">
            {chat?.messages.map(m => (
              <div key={m.id} className={`p-2 rounded ${m.sender_type === 'user' ? 'bg-blue-100 ml-auto' : 'bg-gray-100'}`}>
                {m.content}
              </div>
            ))}
            <div ref={messagesEndRef} />
          </div>
          <div className="p-3 border-t flex gap-2">
            <input value={input} onChange={e => setInput(e.target.value)}
              onKeyDown={e => e.key === 'Enter' && !e.shiftKey && handleSend()}
              className="flex-1 border rounded px-2" placeholder="Type a message..." />
            <button onClick={handleSend} className="px-3 py-1 bg-blue-500 text-white rounded">Send</button>
          </div>
        </div>
      ) : (
        <button onClick={() => setIsOpen(true)} className="w-14 h-14 bg-blue-500 rounded-full text-white relative">
          💬
          {unreadCount > 0 && (
            <span className="absolute -top-1 -right-1 bg-red-500 text-xs w-5 h-5 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center">
              {unreadCount > 9 ? '9+' : unreadCount}
            </span>
          )}
        </button>
      )}
    </div>
  )
}

Next.js (App Router)

API Route:

// app/api/support-chat/route.ts
import { getServerSession } from 'next-auth'
import { prisma } from '@/lib/prisma'

export async function GET() {
  const session = await getServerSession()
  if (!session?.user) return Response.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 })

  let chat = await prisma.supportChat.findUnique({
    where: { userId: session.user.id },
    include: { messages: { orderBy: { createdAt: 'asc' } } }
  })

  if (!chat) {
    chat = await prisma.supportChat.create({
      data: { userId: session.user.id },
      include: { messages: true }
    })
  }

  return Response.json(chat)
}

WebSocket with Pusher/Ably (serverless-friendly):

// For serverless, use Pusher, Ably, or similar
import Pusher from 'pusher'
const pusher = new Pusher({ appId, key, secret, cluster })

// When message is created:
await pusher.trigger(`support-chat-${chatId}`, 'new-message', messageData)

// Client-side with pusher-js:
const channel = pusher.subscribe(`support-chat-${chatId}`)
channel.bind('new-message', (data) => { /* update state */ })

PHP/Laravel

Models:

// app/Models/SupportChat.php
class SupportChat extends Model
{
    protected $casts = ['last_message_at' => 'datetime', 'archived_at' => 'datetime'];

    public function user() { return $this->belongsTo(User::class); }
    public function messages() { return $this->hasMany(SupportMessage::class); }

    public function scopeActive($query) { return $query->whereNull('archived_at'); }
    public function scopeArchived($query) { return $query->whereNotNull('archived_at'); }

    public function isUnreadForAdmin(): bool {
        return $this->messages()
            ->where('sender_type', 'user')
            ->where('created_at', '>', $this->admin_viewed_at ?? '1970-01-01')
            ->exists();
    }
}

// app/Models/SupportMessage.php
class SupportMessage extends Model
{
    protected static function booted() {
        static::created(function ($message) {
            $message->supportChat->update(['last_message_at' => now()]);
            broadcast(new NewSupportMessage($message))->toOthers();

            if ($message->sender_type === 'admin') {
                SendSupportReplyNotification::dispatch($message)->delay(now()->addMinutes(5));
            }
        });
    }
}

Broadcasting Event:

// app/Events/NewSupportMessage.php
class NewSupportMessage implements ShouldBroadcast
{
    public function __construct(public SupportMessage $message) {}

    public function broadcastOn() {
        return new PrivateChannel('support-chat.' . $this->message->support_chat_id);
    }

    public function broadcastAs() { return 'new-message'; }
}

Vue.js

Composable:

// composables/useSupportChat.ts
import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue'

export function useSupportChat() {
  const chat = ref<Chat | null>(null)
  const connected = ref(false)
  let ws: WebSocket | null = null
  const seenIds = new Set<string>()

  onMounted(async () => {
    const res = await fetch('/api/support-chat')
    chat.value = await res.json()
    chat.value?.messages.forEach(m => seenIds.add(m.id))

    ws = new WebSocket(`/ws/chat?id=${chat.value?.id}`)
    ws.onopen = () => connected.value = true
    ws.onclose = () => connected.value = false
    ws.onmessage = (e) => {
      const data = JSON.parse(e.data)
      if (data.type === 'new_message' && !seenIds.has(data.message.id)) {
        seenIds.add(data.message.id)
        chat.value?.messages.push(data.message)
      }
    }
  })

  onUnmounted(() => ws?.close())

  const sendMessage = (content: string) => {
    ws?.send(JSON.stringify({ action: 'send_message', content }))
  }

  return { chat, connected, sendMessage }
}

Imported: Database Recommendations

PostgreSQL (Recommended)

  • Use UUID primary keys for security (non-guessable IDs)
  • Use
    timestamptz
    for all datetime columns
  • Add GIN index on content for full-text search (optional)

MySQL

  • Use
    CHAR(36)
    or
    BINARY(16)
    for UUIDs
  • Use
    DATETIME(6)
    for microsecond precision
  • Consider
    utf8mb4
    charset for emoji support

SQLite (Development/Small Scale)

  • Works fine for prototyping
  • Store UUIDs as TEXT
  • No native datetime type, store as ISO8601 strings

MongoDB (Document Store)

  • Embed messages in chat document if message count is bounded
  • Or use separate collection with chat_id reference
  • Use TTL index on archived chats for auto-cleanup (optional)

Imported: Real-Time Technology Options

TechnologyBest ForServerless?
ActionCable (Rails)Rails appsNo
Socket.IONode.js appsNo
PusherAny stackYes
AblyAny stackYes
Supabase RealtimeSupabase usersYes
Firebase RTDBFirebase usersYes
Server-Sent EventsSimple one-wayYes

Fallback Strategy

If WebSocket unavailable, implement polling:

// Poll every 5 seconds when disconnected
if (!websocket.connected) {
  setInterval(() => {
    fetch('/api/support-chat/messages?since=' + lastMessageTime)
      .then(newMessages => appendMessages(newMessages))
  }, 5000)
}

Imported: Limitations

  • Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
  • Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
  • Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.