LocalDrop 🌐

A lightweight, local-network file-sharing web application inspired by tools like LocalSend. It allows devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network to automatically discover each other in real-time, customize their device names, securely authorize connection requests, and stream files directly browser-to-browser (P2P) without needing an active internet connection.

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✨ Features

• Automatic Local Discovery: Instantly lists all devices currently connected on your local network using WebSockets.
• Secure AirDrop-Style Handshake: Clicking a peer triggers a connection request modal on their screen with file details, requiring explicit acceptance before any transfer occurs.
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) File Transfer: Files are streamed directly between devices using WebRTC Data Channels (no server file-upload bottlenecks or size limits).
• Smooth Progress Tracking: Real-time progress bars show transfer percentages and live status updates for both sending and receiving files.
• Random Codenames: Automatically generates fun default names (e.g., Cosmic Panda 42) on first visit and persists them using localStorage.
• Customizable Identity: Users can easily rename their device or roll a new random codename on the fly.
• Responsive & Modern UI: Built with Tailwind CSS for a sleek, dark-mode-first aesthetic.

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Device 1 - Desktop

Device 2 - Mobile

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🛠️ Tech Stack

• Backend: Node.js, Express, Socket.io
• Frontend: HTML5, Tailwind CSS, WebRTC Data Channels, JavaScript

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🚀 Installation & Running Guide

Follow these steps to set up and run LocalDrop on your local machine:

Prerequisites

Make sure you have Node.js installed on your computer. (You can check by running node -v in your terminal).

Step 1: Clone or Set Up Project Files

Ensure your project folder structure looks like this:

local-drop/
├── public/
│   └── index.html
├── package.json
└── server.js

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Open your terminal, navigate to your project directory, and run:

	 npm install

Step 3: Start the Server

Start the application server by running:

	node server.js

(Alternatively, if configured in your package.json, you can run npm start) once running, the console will display URLs similar to this:

	🚀 LocalDrop server running!
	> Open on this machine: http://localhost:3000
	> Open on other network devices: [http://192.168.](http://192.168.)X.X:3000

Step 4: Access and Test on Your Network

1. On your computer: Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser.

2. On other devices (Phones, Tablets, Laptops): Connect them to the same Wi-Fi network and type the network URL provided in your terminal (e.g., http://192.168.1.15:3000) into their browser.

3. You will see devices populate on the screen, ready to send files to one another!

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📄 License

Distributed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for more information.

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_{Built with ❤️ by wilfred1097}