GuffGaff is a real-time chat platform developed as a minor project by Diploma in Information Technology students under CTEVT. Designed for seamless and efficient communication, GuffGaff enables users to engage in instant messaging, group conversations, and multimedia sharing in a secure digital environment. It is built using technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL, ensuring responsive design and robust backend support. The system emphasizes user privacy, featuring encrypted messaging and secure login systems using JWT, OTP, and password hashing.

The platform offers a user-friendly interface with personalized profiles, real-time typing indicators, online/offline status, and a message search function. GuffGaff supports voice/video calling through third-party integrations like Agora and incorporates administrative tools for user moderation and platform stability. To enhance engagement, it allows customization through avatars, themes (light/dark), emojis, and GIFs.

The project followed the Spiral Model for development, allowing iterative testing, risk handling, and flexible updates based on feedback. The platform is scalable and designed to support growing user bases and future feature enhancements like AI-driven responses and improved encryption.

While GuffGaff stands out for its modern features and inclusive design, it faces challenges such as internet dependency, moderation complexity, and user engagement sustainability. Nonetheless, it serves as a practical and impactful communication solution aimed at fostering real-time collaboration and building digital communities. It is especially beneficial for educational, social, and professional use, offering a balanced mix of functionality, security, and user experience. GuffGaff exemplifies student-led innovation in real-time web application development.