add readme

Author: ebrahimbeiati

README.md

@@ -1,3 +1,71 @@
-# Coursework
+# [Chat App](https://uretqju43s9008b1nyjk586m.hosting.codeyourfuture.io)
 
-Exercises to practice and solidify your understanding of the Decomposition module of the Software Development Course.
+A full-stack chat application built with:
+
+- Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
+- Backend: Node.js, Express
+
+Users can send messages, see existing messages, and view updates from others.
+
+## Features
+
+- Send a message with username and text
+- Fetch and display all chat messages
+- Auto-refresh messages every 2 seconds
+- Timestamp shown on each message
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```text
+chat-app/
+	backend/
+		package.json
+		server.js
+	frontend/
+		index.html
+		script.js
+		styles.css
+```
+
+## Run Locally
+
+### 1. Start the backend
+
+From the backend folder, install dependencies and run the server:
+
+```bash
+cd chat-app/backend
+npm install
+node server.js
+```
+
+Backend runs on http://localhost:3000
+
+### 2. Start the frontend
+
+Open chat-app/frontend/index.html in your browser.
+
+If you want to use local backend instead of deployed backend, set BACKEND_URL in script.js to:
+
+http://127.0.0.1:3000
+
+## API
+
+- GET /messages: returns all messages
+- POST /messages: adds a new message
+
+Example message object:
+
+```json
+{
+  "username": "Alex",
+  "text": "Hello everyone",
+  "timeStamp": "3:45 PM"
+}
+```
+
+## Learning Goals
+
+- Build a frontend and backend that communicate using HTTP
+- Practice working with JSON data
+- Understand simple full-stack deployment flow