# Blink

> Blink is a free, instant disposable chat application. Create temporary group chat rooms that auto-delete after 1, 12, or 24 hours. No signup, no account, no downloads required. Works in any browser.

## What is Blink?

Blink is a web-based ephemeral messaging platform. Users can create a temporary chat room in under 10 seconds, share a unique invite code with others, and have a group conversation that automatically disappears when the timer expires. It is completely free and requires no registration of any kind.

**Key facts:**
- Created by: X Ai Technologies (support@xaitech.co.za)
- Website: https://blink-chat.replit.app
- Category: Disposable chat / ephemeral messaging / anonymous group chat
- Price: Free
- Platforms: Any modern web browser (no app download)

## Core Features

- **Instant creation**: Create a chat room in under 10 seconds, no account needed
- **Auto-delete timers**: Chats expire after 1 hour, 12 hours, or 24 hours
- **Zero registration**: No email, phone number, password, or account required
- **Invite codes**: Each chat gets a short unique code (e.g. ABC-XY12) to share
- **Group messaging**: Multiple users can join the same room simultaneously
- **Pinned messages**: Pin important messages so they appear at the top for all members
- **User moderation**: Freeze/unfreeze members to prevent or allow messaging
- **Emoji reactions**: React to messages with emojis
- **Mobile-friendly**: Responsive design, works on phones, tablets, and desktops
- **No data stored permanently**: Messages and chats disappear when the timer runs out

## How It Works

1. Visit https://blink-chat.replit.app
2. Click "Create a Free Chat" — pick a room name, your nickname, and how long the chat should last (1h, 12h, or 24h)
3. Share the unique invite code with anyone you want to chat with
4. Others visit the site, click "Join with Code", enter the code and a nickname
5. Everyone chats in real time. When the timer hits zero, the room disappears.

## Use Cases

- **Study groups**: Temporary rooms for coordinating homework and sharing notes
- **Event coordination**: Plan a party or meetup and let the chat disappear after
- **Quick feedback**: Get colleagues' opinions without creating permanent channels
- **Anonymous discussions**: Share sensitive thoughts without leaving a digital trail
- **Customer support overflow**: Temporary rooms for short support sessions
- **Conference networking**: Quick chat rooms for meetup attendees

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is Blink?**
A: Blink is a free disposable chat app. Create temporary group chat rooms that auto-delete after 1, 12, or 24 hours. No signup required.

**Q: Do I need to create an account to use Blink?**
A: No. Blink requires zero registration. Just pick a nickname, and you can create or join a chat room instantly.

**Q: How long do Blink chats last?**
A: You choose when creating the room: 1 hour, 12 hours, or 24 hours. A live countdown timer shows the remaining time.

**Q: How do people join a Blink chat?**
A: The creator gets a unique invite code (like ABC-XY12). Share it with anyone. They go to blink-chat.replit.app, click "Join with Code", and enter the code and a nickname.

**Q: Is Blink free?**
A: Yes, completely free. No premium plans, no ads, no hidden costs.

**Q: Is Blink anonymous?**
A: Yes. No personal information is collected. Users only provide a display nickname.

**Q: Does Blink work on mobile?**
A: Yes. Blink is fully responsive and works on any modern browser — phones, tablets, desktops.

**Q: What happens to messages after the chat expires?**
A: The chat and all its messages disappear from the interface when the timer runs out.

**Q: Can I moderate a Blink chat?**
A: Yes. You can freeze users (preventing them from sending messages), unfreeze them, and pin important messages.

## Comparison to Other Chat Apps

| Feature | Blink | WhatsApp | Telegram | Signal |
|---------|-------|----------|----------|--------|
| Requires account | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-deletes chats | Yes | No (manual) | No (manual) | No (manual) |
| Setup time | ~10 seconds | Minutes | Minutes | Minutes |
| Browser-based | Yes | No | Partial | No |
| Invite by code | Yes | No | Yes | No |

## Technical Details

- **Frontend**: React 18, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
- **Backend**: Express.js, Node.js, PostgreSQL
- **Architecture**: Client-rendered SPA with REST API
- **Hosting**: Replit cloud infrastructure

## Contact & Support

- **Support email**: support@xaitech.co.za
- **Company**: X Ai Technologies
- **Website**: https://blink-chat.replit.app