A chat application needs more than a text input and a database. Users expect messages to appear without refreshing the page. Supabase provides several pieces needed to build this type of application.
Create Users
Start with Supabase authentication. Every message should have an identifiable sender.
Create a Messages Table
A basic messages table might contain: id sender_id conversation_id message created_at
Create a Conversation
For a simple application, you can create a conversation between two users. For group chat, you can create a separate membership structure.
Insert Messages
When a user sends a message, insert it into the messages table.
Subscribe to New Messages
Use Supabase Realtime to listen for new records. When another user sends a message, the application can update the interface immediately.
Secure Conversations
Don't allow users to read conversations they don't belong to. Use authentication and database policies to enforce membership.
Test Multiple Users
Open two accounts in separate browser sessions. Send a message from one account and verify that the other receives it without refreshing. That basic architecture can be expanded into a complete chat system.