global_chat 0.2.0

Global Chat is a backend-agnostic, highly configurable Flutter chat UI toolkit.

Global Chat

A server-agnostic Flutter library for building polished chat applications quickly. It covers conversations, message bubbles, replies, reactions, delivery states, attachments, typing, voice/video-call entry points, theming, wallpapers, and a WhatsApp-inspired settings screen.

See the complete usage guide and the runnable example app.

Maintainers: see the pub.dev publishing guide before releasing this package.

Install

dependencies:
  global_chat:
    path: ../global_chat # or use your published version

Use

final controller = ChatController(
  currentUser: const ChatUser(id: 'me', name: 'Me'),
  conversations: [/* hydrate from your API */],
)
  ..onSendMessage = (chatId, message) => api.sendMessage(chatId, message)
  ..onSettingsChanged = (settings) => api.saveChatSettings(settings);

MaterialApp(
  theme: ThemeData(extensions: [ChatTheme.light().copyWith(
    bubbleStyle: ChatBubbleStyle.telegram,
  )]),
  home: ConversationScreen(
    controller: controller,
    conversationId: 'team',
    enableSwipeToReply: true,
  ),
);

ChatBubbleStyle provides whatsapp, rounded, telegram, iMessage, and minimal designs. Set it in ChatTheme for the whole app or directly on an individual ConversationScreen. Swiping either direction over any message opens a reply quote in the composer; this can be disabled with enableSwipeToReply: false.

The library intentionally does not impose a backend or authentication provider. Call replaceConversations() whenever your WebSocket/Firebase/REST layer receives data; connect the controller callbacks to your send, upload, reaction, typing, call, and persistence endpoints.

Advanced message actions

Connect these optional controller hooks to your backend, then use the methods from your own action sheet, menu, or moderation UI:

controller
  ..onEditMessage = api.editMessage
  ..onDeleteMessage = api.deleteMessage
  ..onPinMessage = api.pinMessage;

await controller.editMessage('team', messageId, 'Corrected text');
await controller.pinMessage('team', messageId);
await controller.deleteMessage('team', messageId);

Pinned messages render with a small in-bubble indicator. Edits update the local UI immediately after the backend callback completes.

The package exposes ChatCapabilities for built-in replies and reactions, plus searchMessages, forwardMessage, markRead, reportMessage, and createPoll integration hooks. Keep server, encryption, storage, calls, notifications, and moderation in your app's backend layer.

For productivity features, use saveDraft, scheduleText, toggleSavedMessage, and translateMessage. Messages now support mentions, link previews, and scheduled-send metadata.

Optional animations

Use ChatTheme.light().copyWith(animations: const ChatAnimations.disabled()) to disable built-in UI motion for all chats. You can create ChatAnimations(enabled: true, messageDuration: Duration(milliseconds: 400), curve: Curves.easeOutBack) to customize the package animation settings.

For attachments, calls, settings, voice input, GIFs, and other controls, use composerActionsBuilder or appBarActionsBuilder. This keeps picker, permissions, encryption, storage, transport, and placement choices in your application.