# AeThex Live

A modern live streaming platform built with Next.js, featuring HLS video playback, real-time chat, and a sleek sci-fi aesthetic.

![AeThex Live](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8c34bf6e-4ca1-40e5-86e8-c7a35f304bb7)

## Features

- 🎥 **HLS Video Player** - Looping video player with hls.js support
- 🎨 **Sci-Fi Dark Theme** - Immersive dark theme with cyan/blue accents
- 👥 **Live Viewer Count** - Real-time viewer count with animated indicator
- 💬 **Chat Sidebar** - Interactive chat interface for viewer engagement
- 🎵 **Now Playing** - Metadata display for current track/content
- 📱 **Responsive Design** - Works seamlessly on desktop and mobile

## Tech Stack

- **Framework**: Next.js 16.1.6 with TypeScript
- **Styling**: Tailwind CSS 4
- **Video Player**: hls.js for HLS streaming
- **UI**: React 19.2.3 with modern hooks

## Getting Started

### Prerequisites

- Node.js 20.x or higher
- npm, yarn, pnpm, or bun

### Installation

1. Clone the repository:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/AeThex-LABS/aethex.live.git
cd aethex.live
```

2. Install dependencies:
```bash
npm install
```

3. Run the development server:
```bash
npm run dev
```

4. Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) in your browser.

### Configuration

To use your own HLS stream:

1. Copy the environment template:
```bash
cp .env.example .env.local
```

2. Add your stream URL:
```env
NEXT_PUBLIC_STREAM_URL=your-hls-stream-url.m3u8
```

3. (Optional) Customize settings in `config/streaming.ts`

**📖 See [QUICKSTART.md](QUICKSTART.md) for a complete setup guide!**

## Build

Create an optimized production build:

```bash
npm run build
npm start
```

## 🚀 Making It Your Platform

This is ready to become your live streaming hub! Check out these guides:

- **[QUICKSTART.md](QUICKSTART.md)** - Get streaming in 5 minutes
- **[STREAMING_SETUP.md](STREAMING_SETUP.md)** - Full platform setup guide
- **[config/streaming.ts](config/streaming.ts)** - Configuration reference

### Ready-to-Use Features

✅ HLS video player with auto-recovery  
✅ Responsive design (mobile & desktop)  
✅ Chat sidebar UI (connect your backend)  
✅ Viewer count display  
✅ Now playing metadata  
✅ API routes for stream status & chat  

### Next Steps

1. Get a streaming provider (Cloudflare/Mux/AWS)
2. Set up OBS Studio
3. Add your stream URL to `.env.local`
4. Choose your platform and deploy
5. Point your domain to your hosting provider

## 🚀 Deployment Options

### Vercel (Recommended for Beginners)
Automatic deployments, zero config:
```bash
npm i -g vercel
vercel
```

### Railway (Full Control & Backend)
Great for custom backends and databases:
```bash
npm i -g @railway/cli
railway login
railway up
```
See [RAILWAY_DEPLOYMENT.md](RAILWAY_DEPLOYMENT.md) for detailed setup.

### Other Platforms
Next.js can deploy to AWS, Netlify, Cloudflare Pages, and more. Check [Next.js deployment docs](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/deploying).

## Scripts

- `npm run dev` - Start development server
- `npm run build` - Create production build
- `npm start` - Start production server
- `npm run lint` - Run ESLint

## Project Structure

```
aethex.live/
├── app/
│   ├── page.tsx          # Main page component
│   ├── layout.tsx        # Root layout
│   └── globals.css       # Global styles
├── components/
│   ├── HLSPlayer.tsx     # Video player component
│   ├── ViewerCount.tsx   # Viewer counter
│   ├── NowPlaying.tsx    # Metadata display
│   └── ChatSidebar.tsx   # Chat interface
└── public/               # Static assets
```

## License

© 2026 AeThex LABS - All rights reserved

## Deploy on Vercel

[![Deploy with Vercel](https://vercel.com/button)](https://vercel.com/new/clone?repository-url=https://github.com/AeThex-LABS/aethex.live)

The easiest way to deploy is using the [Vercel Platform](https://vercel.com/new?utm_medium=default-template&filter=next.js&utm_source=create-next-app&utm_campaign=create-next-app-readme).

Check out the [Next.js deployment documentation](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/deploying) for more details.