THE PROBLEM

Building real-time chat is hard.
WebSockets are tricky
Scaling presence & typing is painful
Resumable uploads break things
Third-party APIs get expensive fast
Kontackt solves this. Inbox Messenger is a high-performance, real-time chat plugin designed for modern PHP and Node.js platforms. Built for scalability and flexibility, it integrates seamlessly into any existing system while supporting enterprise-grade messaging, resumable file uploads, low-latency WebRTC calls (1 vs 1 and group calls up to 9 participants per room), and rich media previews.

Core Benefits

Simple Installation – Get the plugin up and running in minutes.
Easy Integration – Works seamlessly with any PHP or Node.js script.
Flexible Setup – Fully customizable UI, database, and messaging options.
Ready-to-Use Features – Includes messaging, group chat, WebRTC calls, and resumable file uploads.
Standalone – Fully independent and not tied to any social platform or framework.
Well-Documented – Comes with clear instructions and examples for easy setup and customization.

100% Standalone & Native

This Inbox Messenger Platform is completely standalone — it does not rely on any third-party platforms, frameworks, or services. Everything is built natively in PHP and Node.js (Fastify) for maximum performance, reliability, and control. You can integrate it directly into any web project without needing additional subscriptions or external dependencies.

# 5 demos ready

Sngine – The Ultimate PHP Social Network Platform

WoWonder – The Ultimate PHP Social Network Platform

mooSocial – PHP Social Networking Software

PlayTube – The Ultimate PHP Video CMS & Video Sharing Platform

QuickDate – The Ultimate PHP Dating Platform

1. User & Session Management

Universal User Detection

Automatically retrieves the currently logged-in user’s data using only the user ID provided by the website
No session, cookie, or JWT authentication required
Fully compatible with any PHP or Node.js platform
Works out-of-the-box with existing user systems

Dynamic User Data Mapping

Fully configurable via JSON — works with any table or column structure

Fetches complete user profiles dynamically, including:
- User ID
- Username
- Full name / First & Last name
- Avatar (absolute URL support)
- Birthday, gender, language
- Last active timestamp
Automatic detection and mapping based solely on the user ID supplied by the website

Presence & Identity

Real-time online / offline status tracking
Automatic last active updates on user activity
Fallback avatars when no profile image exists
Supports multi-entity chats (users, pages, admins, groups)

2. Real-Time Messaging Engine

Core Messaging

Real-time messaging powered by WebSocket
One-on-one and group conversations
Offline message storage and automatic delivery on reconnect
Unread message counters per user and conversation
Last message & last seen tracking

Sound Alerts & Push Notifications

Customizable sound notifications for incoming messages, calls, replies, reactions, and mentions.
Push notifications support for desktop and mobile browsers (via Service Worker), even when the messenger tab is not active.
Real-time alerts for one-on-one chats, group messages, and page or event messages.
Users can enable/disable sounds and push notifications individually for each chat or globally.

Real-Time Synchronization

All message states, reactions, replies, and uploads are fully synchronized across multiple devices and browser tabs.
Typing indicators, read/unread status, and presence (online/offline) are updated in real-time everywhere.
Upload progress, calls, voice messages, and media previews are instantly reflected across devices.
Supports conflict-free updates: if a user reads, deletes, or edits a message in one tab/device, all other tabs/devices update automatically.
Syncs both main messenger and chat shortcuts panel to ensure a consistent user experience.

Stickers & GIFs

Send animated GIFs or stickers in messages, fully real-time.
Integrated with one-on-one chats, group chats, and chat shortcuts.
Supports multiple sticker packs and custom uploads by the admin.
Animated GIFs and stickers respect message order and are fully searchable in chat.
Works alongside emojis, reactions, and media previews without conflicts.
Messages containing GIFs or stickers are also cached for instant delivery if reused by the same or other users.

Mute & Notifications Control

Chats, groups, or pages can be muted by users or administrators.
Custom mute durations: temporary (minutes, hours, days) or permanent.
Automatic un-mute for temporary mutes using cronjob scheduling.
Muted chats still receive messages in the background but do not trigger notifications.
Works for one-on-one chats, group chats, and page conversations.
Fully integrated with shortcuts, main messenger, and notification systems.

Live Interaction

Real-time typing indicators
Sent / Seen / delivered message states
Message deletion (for sender / for everyone)
Emoji reactions

Smart Message Layout

Message grouping with connected bubbles for messages from the same sender
Sender messages aligned right, recipients left
Avatars displayed once per message group
Emojis, link previews, and message formatting (preserves line breaks and message order)
Rich media and link previews powered by Iframely:
- Automatically generates live previews for links, images, and videos
- Supports Cloudflare-protected links via Flaresolverr proxy
- Ensures preview content is always accessible and accurate
Message forwarding: messages, media, and attachments can be forwarded to individual users, groups, pages, or events instantly
Message replies: clicking on a reply automatically scrolls to the original message, even if it is old, and stops at the exact message for reference
Supports voice messages with inline playback

Storage & Broadcasting

Messages stored in MySQL using flexible column mapping
Broadcasts messages to:
- Individual users
- Group participants
Dynamic SQL queries generated from JSON configuration
Supports media caching via Redis for avatars, messages, reactions, and uploaded media
Offline message storage and automatic delivery on reconnect
Real-time message updates using WebSocket
Ensures that multi-line messages, media previews, and reactions display consistently across all clients

3. Advanced Real-Time File Uploads & Media

Supports uploading multiple files simultaneously in a single query (mixed types: images, videos, audio, documents, PDFs, ZIPs, etc.)
Real-time upload progress:
- Percentage completed
- Bytes uploaded (KB / MB / GB)
- Global progress bar displayed at the top of the chat
Pause, resume, or cancel individual files or the entire batch at any time
Large file support (1GB+ per file) with resumable uploads
Automatic deduplication: previously uploaded files are sent instantly without re-uploading
Drag-and-drop and multi-file selection support
Background uploads via Service Worker and IndexedDB persistence (resume after reload, browser restart, or network loss)
Rich media display:
- Videos out of viewport conversation are automatically pause and automatically play when are visible in conversation.
- Images and videos displayed in masonry layout
- PDFs show preview thumbnails
- Shared locations display inline previews on map
- Voice messages with inline playback, order preserved, and deduplication
- Rich link previews powered by Iframely, supporting Cloudflare-protected links via Flaresolverr proxy
Automatic message creation once uploads are complete

Cloud Storage Support (exists, but is not yet implemented)

AWS S3
Backblaze B2
Google Cloud Storage
Microsoft Azure

4. Audio & Video Calls (WebRTC)

1-on-1 audio & video calls
Group calls with multiple participants (up to 9 per room)
Real-time call signaling via WebSocket
Online / offline user handling
Incoming call notifications
Dynamic room creation and cleanup
Call termination handling (disconnects, leave events)

5. Frontend UI & User Experience

Clean, modern messenger-style interface
Responsive design: Desktop.
Connected message bubbles and infinite scroll / lazy loading for history
Real-time typing indicators
Search & filter messages per chat
Drag-and-drop uploads and multi-file selection
Upload progress bars with ETA
Smooth real-time UI updates via WebSocket
Theme and styling support via JSON configuration

6. Global Resumable Upload Queue & Persistence

Centralized upload queue across the application
Files grouped by batchId
Tracks bytes uploaded and total file size
Persistent across reloads and crashes
Sends WebSocket event when all files in a batch finish uploading
Automatically links uploads to chat messages
Reliable retry logic for failed chunks

7. Backend Architecture

Node.js backend with Fastify for ultra-fast API responses
MySQL database
WebSocket for real-time events
Redis caching for fast retrieval of avatars, messages, reactions, and media
PM2 for process management
Modular, scalable architecture
Dynamic SQL via JSON-based schema mapping
REST endpoints for messages, uploads, user & page data
Event-driven WebSocket system for messages, typing indicators, calls, status updates
Offline message queuing, upload retry & recovery
Logging for messages, uploads, calls

8. Integrations & Extensibility

Plug-and-Play: runs as standalone chat system or integrated plugin
Compatible with MooSocial, Playtube, Sngine, and custom PHP/Node.js platforms
Highly extensible via JSON-driven configuration:
- Database tables & columns
- Avatar handling
- Storage providers and upload limits
- Concurrency settings
- Bots & AI assistants, custom message types, encryption layers, automated responses

9. Chat Shortcuts

The Chat Shortcuts feature is a powerful tool that allows users to interact with the messenger interface without opening the full chat window. It provides nearly all the capabilities of the complete messenger, optimized for speed and efficiency.

Quick Access to Messaging: Users can send messages instantly using predefined templates, custom text snippets, or emojis without navigating to the full chat interface.
Full Rich Media Support: Supports sending images, videos, audio files, documents, PDFs, and location shares directly from the shortcut panel.
Message Formatting & Order: Preserves line breaks and original message order for text messages, ensuring that forwarded or composed messages maintain their structure.
Replies & Forwarding: Users can reply to any previous message or forward messages, media, and attachments to users, groups, pages, or events directly from shortcuts.
Real-Time Updates: Typing indicators, seen/delivered status, reactions, and unread counters are all updated live, just like in the full chat window.
Rich Link Previews: Integrates with Iframely and Flaresolverr to provide live previews for links, images, and videos, including Cloudflare-protected content.
Voice Messages: Users can record and send voice messages directly from the shortcut panel with inline playback support.
Upload Queue Integration: Files uploaded via shortcuts use the same real-time upload system as the full chat, with progress tracking, pause/resume, batch uploads, and mixed media handling.
Seamless User Experience: Works for both one-on-one and group conversations, maintaining all conversation context, history, and features without opening the full messenger interface.
Customization: Fully configurable via JSON, allowing admins to define which shortcuts, templates, or media types are available to users.

10. Group & Admin Features

Mark All Messages as Read: Users can instantly mark all messages in a conversation or group as read, updating the unread counters in real-time.
Group Administration: Admins can manage group membership and permissions:
- Add or remove members
- Promote members to admins
- Demote admins back to regular members
- Clean or delete entire conversation threads
- Edit group details such as name, description, and group avatar
Group Calls: Admins can initiate group calls and invite participants dynamically, including adding new users mid-call.
Member Control: Admins can remove participants from the group at any time, controlling who has access to messages and calls.
Editable Groups: All group settings, participants, and call configurations can be updated in real-time, with changes reflected instantly for all members.

11. Chat Appearance & Themes

All chat appearance settings are fully reflected in both the main messenger interface and the Chat Shortcuts panel, providing a consistent and personalized experience across the platform.

Custom Nicknames: Users can set display names or nicknames for themselves or other participants in chats and groups.
Color Personalization: Users can assign custom colors to their messages, chat bubbles, or avatars for easier identification.
Font Customization: Supports changing font sizes and styles to improve readability and match user preference.
Chat Patterns & Backgrounds: Users can select from multiple chat bubble patterns, background textures, and decorative styles.
Pattern Color & Brightness: Chat bubbles and backgrounds can have adjustable colors and brightness for personalized visibility and contrast.
Themes: Built-in light and dark modes, fully toggleable. Themes are applied globally and can also be customized via JSON configuration.
Responsive Design: All appearance settings are consistently applied across desktop, tablet, and mobile interfaces.
Global or Per-User Customization: Admins can set default themes for the platform, while users can override with personal settings.

12. Standalone & Integration

Fully Standalone: Kontackt Inbox Messenger works independently and does not require any pre-installed frameworks or platforms.
Easy Integration: Can be integrated into any website with an existing user system, using just the current logged-in user ID.
Framework-Agnostic: Compatible with PHP, Node.js, or any custom backend system.
Customizable Configuration: JSON-driven configuration allows flexible mapping of:
- User tables and columns
- Avatars and media URLs
- Upload storage and limits
- Appearance, themes, and shortcuts
Seamless User Experience: Once integrated, the messenger works with your existing users out-of-the-box, supporting real-time messaging, file uploads, voice messages, forwarding, replies, calls, and shortcuts.

13. Fully Native & Self-Hosted

No Third-Party Dependencies: All messaging, file uploads, voice messages, reactions, and calls are handled natively on your server. No external chat services are required.
Full Control: Your data stays on your own server, including messages, files, media previews, and user statuses.
Performance Optimized: Native implementation allows ultra-low latency messaging and WebRTC calls without relying on external APIs.
Secure & Private: No third-party servers process your users’ messages, files, or calls.
Complete Feature Set: Everything works natively: real-time chat, file uploads (all types, resumable, queued), voice messages, link/media previews (Iframely + Flaresolverr), forwarding, replies, group management, WebRTC calls, shortcuts, and appearance customization.

14. Additional Features

Real-time last active updates
Offline notifications
Upload queue cleanup
Debug & logging tools
Infinite message scrolling
Real-time unread count updates
Optional call transcription storage

Why Inbox Messenger?

Framework-agnostic
Built for scale
Enterprise-grade uploads and caching
Modern real-time architecture with Fastify + Redis
Designed for real products, not demos

Server Requirements

PHP 8.0 or higher
Node.js 22 or higher
MySQL 5.7 or higher
Docker containers
Turn Server (coturn)
Redis (for caching users, messages, reactions, avatars, and media)
WebSocket support (for real-time messaging and calls)
Composer and NPM/Yarn for dependency management
Writable storage directories for uploads and temporary files
Optional: Flaresolverr proxy setup for Cloudflare-protected link previews

Changelog

Version 10.0 – [10.02.2026]

Brand new Standalone Inbox Messenger Platform

No longer tied to WoWonder or any specific social platform

Fully compatible with any PHP/Node.js script

Messaging, Group Chat, Resumable Uploads, and Ultra-Low-Latency WebRTC Calls

Optimized for performance and ease of integration

Rebuilt backend from PHP to Node.js using Fastify for ultra-low-latency, high-performance real-time messaging

v1.7 [11.06.2025]

Fixed. Bug in group chats.

v1.7 [06.02.2025]

Major update.

New design.

Everythink moved from socket.io to native websocket.

Added archive/unarchive feature.

Added audio group calls.

Added video group calls.

Added Reconnecting feature for websocket and calls

Added posibility to modify the video calls grapichs from configuration file

The webrtc calls system has been fully changed.

A group call supports up to 9 participants in a call.

Smarty updated to the latest version

Plugin now supports PHP > 8.x

v1.6 [19.12.2023]

Back to the old design but added the calls system from latest version.

Fixed calls for ios devices.

v1.56 [23.09.2023]

Fixed css layout.

Fixed intro loading for PWA.

v1.55 [12.05.2023]

Compatibility with the latest sunshine theme.

v1.55 [08.14.2022]

Fixed send button in mobile devices

Fixed theme switch in mobile devices.

Fixed bug when use trying to upload media from shortcuts.

v1.54 [08.12.2022]

Added smart replies feature, especially for Richard [ https://codecanyon.net/user/hights0 ].

v1.53 [08.08.2022]

Fixed reported bugs.

v1.52 [07.23.2022]

Compatible with my second plugin Live Broadcast.

Fully changed the calls system.

Added a lot of new features.

Bugs fixes.

Design updated.

And more, i dont remember all the changes lol.

v1.51 [12.18.2021]

Fixed major bugs.

Fixed video/audio calls for ios, and some other browsers, now the webrtc calls are almost compatible with any device.

Fixed scroll freezing, when user exit from messenger page.

Fixed scroll freezing, for shortcuts chating. Now the scroll works properly

Fixed new message count in header, now it disapear when user read the mesage.

Fixed 0 count new message for header, it was display for 3 miliseconds and dissapear, now it not appear anymore.

v1.50 [05.23.2021]

Security updated! License key encoded, no more visible in client window.

Fixed Login for PWA in iOS.

Fixed Messenger for users without conversations (now the messenger opens).

v1.5 [05.09.2021]

+ Added Reactions.

+ Added Replies.

+ Added Forward messages.

+ Added Push notifications.

+ Added PWA.

+ Added [Create/Edit] Groups chat directly from messenger via API.

+ Added Cache for conversations, the conversations will load only one time, next visiting it will load locally more fastest.

+ Online/offline users via Nodejs server.

+ Switch Day/Night mode directly from messenger.

Design modified.

Bugs fixed.

.. and much more.

v1.42 [11.13.2020]

+ Added Wondertag Theme Compatibility.

+ New design while loading messenger.

Emojis has been moved to another folder from themes folder.

Fixed Bugs in Language files.

Fixed Bug while sending messages..

Fixed Paste screenshot.

Fixed Scale icons for iPad.

v1.4 [11.10.2020]

+ Create new message feature.

+ Auto loading more contacts on scrolling.

+ Auto loading more attachments on scrolling.

+ Implemented Group Chats in messenger and shortcuts.

+ Added fullscreen option.

+ Added Notifications feature (Mute/Unmute) via cronjob.

+ Added Cron Job. for scheduling notifications.

+ Added S3 Storage.

+ New design for shortcuts.

+ New dropdown for shortcut options.

+ Added live typing and live seen in contacts list, now the user can see who is typing without open the conversation.

+ Added copy text button for mobile devices

Improved the backend, now the messenger is fastest x2.

Improved seen feature with avatars.

Messages are now sended/received directly via nodejs (last version was fetched via database) so that increase a the messenger speed to x2.

Modified colors feature.

Fixed the videos loading, now the videos loads fastest.

Fixed chat with pages.

The recipient avatar keep fixed while scrolling the conversation.

The recipient avatar keep fixed while scrolling the conversation.

Fixed the stickers module, now you can stickers how much you want.

Now by sending location the user must confirm that.

Added 30K+ emojis, + new emojis design.

Design improved for messenger page.

Design for mobile view fully improved, now it looks more professional + touch enabled.

Dark Design improved.

In mobile view has been fixed the select text.

Much more features on demo…

v1.3 [5.24.2020]

Fixed Search for users.

Fixed Online Tab..

Fixed Some bugs in webrtc calls.

Fixed Multiple Window Confirm Popup at delete message.

v1.2 [5.22.2020]

Moved from long-polling to websocket (now the messaging system it’s much faster) .

Developed a new video/audio calling system (with new modern features) .

Added Dark Mode theme, the messenger’s style automatically changed to dark/day.

Added URL preview. ( example; if a user paste an url of a image or video.. the attachment is automatically uploaded to the server ). Also the user can choose if want to send the preview or not.

Fixed duplicate messages.

Created our TURN Server.

Messenger design modified.

Some CSS fixed.

Added nginx configuration.

Fixed avatar issue for other storages.

Many bugs fixed.

v1.1 [7.22.2020]

Fixed a lot of bugs.

Added ability to block user.

Now the messenger works with wowonder privacy data.

Replacement of wowonder/messages with wowonder/messenger for mobile devices

Added a security function for config.ini file, now you can rename your /assets/vaneayoung/ini/config.ini file to as you wish Example: myconfigurationfile.ini or 546546546456.ini .. to secure your private data.

Removed Twilio, now the audio/video calls are for free

Added option to get in user conversation by link, e.g: https://yoursite.com/messenger/2

Added mobile view of messenger (fully responsive with touchscreens) ... sometimes Safari can create issues.

Chat tabs design changed.

Now the wowonder is much faster, because we have moved all messenger files in footer.

Added search method in emojis.

Much more, see the demo.

Real-Time inbox Plugin – Fully Scalable Messaging & Ultra-Low-Latency RTC Calls