# linechat

**Repository Path**: iiangs/linechat

## Basic Information

- **Project Name**: linechat
- **Description**: Chat between code lines. Zero UI.
- **Primary Language**: Unknown
- **License**: MIT
- **Default Branch**: master
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No

## Statistics

- **Stars**: 1
- **Forks**: 0
- **Created**: 2026-04-22
- **Last Updated**: 2026-04-22

## Categories & Tags

**Categories**: Uncategorized

**Tags**: None

## README

# LineChat

Chat between code lines. Zero UI.

A VS Code extension that lets you send and receive messages **directly in your code editor** — no panels, no popups, no context switching. Type a command, hit Enter, it disappears. Messages float beside your code and fade away.

![demo](https://img.shields.io/badge/status-alpha-orange)

## How It Works

```
\\cl zhangsan          ← connect to local server as "zhangsan", hit Enter, line gone
\\t lisi hey there     ← send message, line gone, bubble appears: zhangsan>lisi: hey there
```

Incoming messages appear as inline decorations:

```python
def hello():        💬 lisi>zhangsan: hey back!     ← fades in 5s
    pass
```

Press Enter on an empty line or type `\\d` to dismiss immediately.

## Commands

### Connection
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `\\c addr id` | Connect to server |
| `\\cl id` | Connect to localhost:9000 |
| `\\a alias addr` | Save server alias |
| `\\ca alias id` | Connect using alias |
| `\\dc` | Disconnect |

### Messaging
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `\\t userId msg` | Send message |
| `\\r msg` | Reply to last person |
| `\\g groupId msg` | Group message |
| `\\ut fromId toId msg` | Send as another identity (no switch) |

### Identity
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `\\u` | List registered identities |
| `\\u zhangsan` | Switch identity (auto-reconnect if online) |

### Friends
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `\\add id` | Add friend |
| `\\rm id` | Remove friend |
| `\\ls` | List friends |

### Control
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `\\d` `\\x` `\\h` `\\e` | Dismiss bubbles |
| `Empty line + Enter` | Dismiss bubbles |
| `\\on` / `\\off` | Enable / pause LineChat |

## Sidebar Panel

Click the 💬 icon in the Activity Bar:

- **Friends** — manage friend IDs (add/remove)
- **Chat Log** — message history in `user1>user2: msg` format, system events as `sys: ...`
- Toggle ON/OFF and Clear buttons on the Chat Log panel

## Server

LineChat uses a lightweight HTTP polling server. No WebSocket, no dependencies.

### Start

```bash
node server.js 9000
```

### API

| Endpoint | Method | Description |
|----------|--------|-------------|
| `/auth` | POST | `{ id, token }` — register or authenticate |
| `/send` | POST | `{ from, token, to, text }` — send message |
| `/poll?id=x&token=x` | GET | Pull pending messages |

### How It Works

- First connection with an ID auto-registers it (token saved locally)
- Messages are queued on the server, pulled every 1s by clients
- Works across NAT/private networks — only needs HTTP access to the server
- Default test users: `a`, `b`, `c`, `1`, `2`, `3` (token = id)

## Install from Source

```bash
git clone https://github.com/iiangs/linechat.git
cd linechat
npm install
npm run build
```

Then press F5 in VS Code to launch the Extension Development Host.

## Architecture

```
src/
├── extension.ts    # Entry point, command dispatch
├── parser.ts       # Detects \\ commands in editor lines
├── bubble.ts       # Inline message decorations (auto-fade)
├── client.ts       # HTTP polling client with token auth
├── log.ts          # Chat log panel (TreeView)
├── friends.ts      # Friend ID list (JSON file)
├── friendsView.ts  # Friends sidebar panel
└── aliases.ts      # Server alias storage

server.js           # Standalone HTTP relay server (zero deps)
```

## Design Philosophy

- **Zero UI** — everything happens in code lines
- **Zero deps** — client uses Node.js `http`, server is plain Node.js
- **Zero config** — type `\\cl myname` and you're in
- **Invisible** — messages appear and disappear, your code stays clean

## Author

李盆儿 · git@iiang.cn

## License

MIT