diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 668bb0a..d049a24 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -38,7 +38,15 @@ SESSION_ENCRYPT=false
 SESSION_PATH=/
 SESSION_DOMAIN=null
 
-BROADCAST_CONNECTION=log
+BROADCAST_CONNECTION=pusher
+PUSHER_APP_ID=
+PUSHER_APP_KEY=
+PUSHER_APP_SECRET=
+PUSHER_APP_CLUSTER=ap2
+
+VITE_PUSHER_APP_KEY="${PUSHER_APP_KEY}"
+VITE_PUSHER_APP_CLUSTER="${PUSHER_APP_CLUSTER}"
+
 FILESYSTEM_DISK=s3
 QUEUE_CONNECTION=database
 
diff --git a/app/Events/ChatMessageDeleted.php b/app/Events/ChatMessageDeleted.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7ba4b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Events/ChatMessageDeleted.php
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Events;
+
+use Illuminate\Broadcasting\Channel;
+use Illuminate\Broadcasting\InteractsWithSockets;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Broadcasting\ShouldBroadcastNow;
+use Illuminate\Foundation\Events\Dispatchable;
+use Illuminate\Queue\SerializesModels;
+
+class ChatMessageDeleted implements ShouldBroadcastNow
+{
+    use Dispatchable, InteractsWithSockets, SerializesModels;
+
+    public int $messageId;
+
+    /**
+     * Create a new event instance.
+     */
+    public function __construct(int $messageId)
+    {
+        $this->messageId = $messageId;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get the channels the event should broadcast on.
+     *
+     * @return array<int, Channel>
+     */
+    public function broadcastOn(): array
+    {
+        return [
+            new Channel('global-chat'),
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function broadcastAs(): string
+    {
+        return 'message.deleted';
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Events/ChatMessageSent.php b/app/Events/ChatMessageSent.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad7f18c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Events/ChatMessageSent.php
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Events;
+
+use App\Models\ChatMessage;
+use Illuminate\Broadcasting\Channel;
+use Illuminate\Broadcasting\InteractsWithSockets;
+use Illuminate\Contracts\Broadcasting\ShouldBroadcastNow;
+use Illuminate\Foundation\Events\Dispatchable;
+use Illuminate\Queue\SerializesModels;
+
+class ChatMessageSent implements ShouldBroadcastNow
+{
+    use Dispatchable, InteractsWithSockets, SerializesModels;
+
+    public array $message;
+
+    /**
+     * Create a new event instance.
+     */
+    public function __construct(ChatMessage $chatMessage)
+    {
+        $chatMessage->loadMissing(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution', 'user.roles:id,name']);
+
+        $this->message = [
+            'id' => $chatMessage->id,
+            'content' => $chatMessage->content,
+            'created_at' => $chatMessage->created_at->toIso8601String(),
+            'user' => [
+                'id' => $chatMessage->user->id,
+                'name' => $chatMessage->user->name,
+                'username' => $chatMessage->user->username,
+                'image_url' => $chatMessage->user->image_url,
+                'institution' => $chatMessage->user->institution,
+                'is_verified' => $chatMessage->user->is_verified,
+                'roles' => $chatMessage->user->roles->pluck('name')->toArray(),
+            ],
+        ];
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Get the channels the event should broadcast on.
+     *
+     * @return array<int, Channel>
+     */
+    public function broadcastOn(): array
+    {
+        return [
+            new Channel('global-chat'),
+        ];
+    }
+
+    public function broadcastAs(): string
+    {
+        return 'message.sent';
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/Admin/ChatSettingsController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/Admin/ChatSettingsController.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a92065
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/Admin/ChatSettingsController.php
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Http\Controllers\Admin;
+
+use App\Http\Controllers\Controller;
+use App\Models\AppSetting;
+use App\Models\ChatMessage;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Inertia\Inertia;
+
+class ChatSettingsController extends Controller
+{
+    public function edit()
+    {
+        return Inertia::render('admin/ChatSettings', [
+            'settings' => [
+                'enabled' => (bool) AppSetting::get('global_chat_enabled', true),
+                'audience' => AppSetting::get('global_chat_audience', 'verified_members'),
+                'cooldown_seconds' => (int) AppSetting::get('global_chat_cooldown_seconds', 30),
+            ],
+            'totalMessages' => ChatMessage::count(),
+            'recentMessagesCount' => ChatMessage::where('created_at', '>=', now()->subHours(24))->count(),
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function update(Request $request)
+    {
+        $validated = $request->validate([
+            'enabled' => ['required', 'boolean'],
+            'audience' => ['required', 'string', 'in:verified_members,all,disabled'],
+            'cooldown_seconds' => ['required', 'integer', 'min:0', 'max:3600'],
+        ]);
+
+        AppSetting::set('global_chat_enabled', $validated['enabled'], 'boolean');
+        AppSetting::set('global_chat_audience', $validated['audience'], 'string');
+        AppSetting::set('global_chat_cooldown_seconds', $validated['cooldown_seconds'], 'integer');
+
+        return back()->with('success', 'Global chat settings updated successfully.');
+    }
+
+    public function clearMessages()
+    {
+        ChatMessage::truncate();
+
+        return back()->with('success', 'All chat messages have been cleared.');
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DashboardController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DashboardController.php
index 0d19664..a941f73 100644
--- a/app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DashboardController.php
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DashboardController.php
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 namespace App\Http\Controllers\Admin;
 
 use App\Http\Controllers\Controller;
+use App\Models\AppSetting;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Cache;
 use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;
@@ -13,7 +14,12 @@ class DashboardController extends Controller
 {
     public function index()
     {
-        return Inertia::render('admin/Dashboard');
+        return Inertia::render('admin/Dashboard', [
+            'chatSettings' => [
+                'enabled' => AppSetting::get('global_chat_enabled', true),
+                'audience' => AppSetting::get('global_chat_audience', 'verified_members'),
+            ],
+        ]);
     }
 
     public function analytics(Request $request)
diff --git a/app/Http/Controllers/ChatController.php b/app/Http/Controllers/ChatController.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..58f8829
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Http/Controllers/ChatController.php
@@ -0,0 +1,188 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Http\Controllers;
+
+use App\Events\ChatMessageDeleted;
+use App\Events\ChatMessageSent;
+use App\Models\AppSetting;
+use App\Models\ChatMessage;
+use Illuminate\Http\Request;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\RateLimiter;
+use Inertia\Inertia;
+
+class ChatController extends Controller
+{
+    public function index(Request $request)
+    {
+        $user = $request->user();
+
+        // Get Chat Config Status
+        $isEnabled = AppSetting::get('global_chat_enabled', true);
+        $audience = AppSetting::get('global_chat_audience', 'verified_members'); // 'verified_members', 'all', 'disabled'
+        $cooldownSeconds = (int) AppSetting::get('global_chat_cooldown_seconds', 30);
+
+        // Determine if user can post
+        $canPost = false;
+        $reason = null;
+
+        if (! $isEnabled || $audience === 'disabled') {
+            $reason = 'Global chat is currently disabled for maintenance.';
+        } elseif (! $user) {
+            $reason = 'Please sign in to join the conversation.';
+        } elseif ($audience === 'verified_members') {
+            if ($user->is_verified || $user->can('view admin')) {
+                $canPost = true;
+            } else {
+                $reason = 'Global chat is currently in beta for verified members and contributors.';
+            }
+        } elseif ($audience === 'all') {
+            $canPost = true;
+        }
+
+        // Fetch last 200 messages in chronological order
+        $messages = ChatMessage::with(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution', 'user.roles:id,name'])
+            ->latest('id')
+            ->take(200)
+            ->get()
+            ->reverse()
+            ->values()
+            ->map(fn (ChatMessage $msg) => [
+                'id' => $msg->id,
+                'content' => $msg->content,
+                'created_at' => $msg->created_at->toIso8601String(),
+                'user' => [
+                    'id' => $msg->user->id,
+                    'name' => $msg->user->name,
+                    'username' => $msg->user->username,
+                    'image_url' => $msg->user->image_url,
+                    'institution' => $msg->user->institution,
+                    'is_verified' => $msg->user->is_verified,
+                    'roles' => $msg->user->roles->pluck('name')->toArray(),
+                ],
+            ]);
+
+        if (! $request->wantsJson() && ! $request->is('api/*')) {
+            return Inertia::render('Chat/Index', [
+                'chatState' => [
+                    'enabled' => (bool) $isEnabled,
+                    'audience' => $audience,
+                    'cooldown_seconds' => $cooldownSeconds,
+                    'can_post' => $canPost,
+                    'reason' => $reason,
+                    'can_delete' => (bool) $user?->can('manage chat'),
+                    'messages' => $messages,
+                    'pusher_key' => config('broadcasting.connections.pusher.key'),
+                    'pusher_cluster' => config('broadcasting.connections.pusher.options.cluster', 'ap2'),
+                ],
+            ]);
+        }
+
+        return response()->json([
+            'enabled' => (bool) $isEnabled,
+            'audience' => $audience,
+            'cooldown_seconds' => $cooldownSeconds,
+            'can_post' => $canPost,
+            'reason' => $reason,
+            'can_delete' => (bool) $user?->can('manage chat'),
+            'messages' => $messages,
+            'pusher_key' => config('broadcasting.connections.pusher.key'),
+            'pusher_cluster' => config('broadcasting.connections.pusher.options.cluster', 'ap2'),
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function store(Request $request)
+    {
+        $user = $request->user();
+        abort_unless($user, 401, 'Unauthenticated');
+
+        $isEnabled = AppSetting::get('global_chat_enabled', true);
+        $audience = AppSetting::get('global_chat_audience', 'verified_members');
+        $cooldownSeconds = (int) AppSetting::get('global_chat_cooldown_seconds', 30);
+
+        // Check if chat is enabled
+        if (! $isEnabled || $audience === 'disabled') {
+            return response()->json(['message' => 'Global chat is currently disabled.'], 403);
+        }
+
+        // Check audience permission
+        if ($audience === 'verified_members' && ! $user->is_verified && ! $user->can('view admin')) {
+            return response()->json(['message' => 'Global chat is currently restricted to verified members.'], 403);
+        }
+
+        // Configurable rate limiter per user (bypass for admins/staff)
+        $rateLimitKey = "chat-send:{$user->id}";
+        if (! $user->can('view admin') && $cooldownSeconds > 0 && RateLimiter::tooManyAttempts($rateLimitKey, 1)) {
+            $seconds = RateLimiter::availableIn($rateLimitKey);
+
+            return response()->json([
+                'message' => "Please wait {$seconds} seconds before sending another message.",
+                'retry_after' => $seconds,
+            ], 429);
+        }
+
+        $validated = $request->validate([
+            'content' => ['required', 'string', 'max:280'],
+        ]);
+
+        $content = trim($validated['content']);
+
+        $message = ChatMessage::create([
+            'user_id' => $user->id,
+            'content' => $content,
+        ]);
+
+        // Record rate limit for configured cooldown seconds
+        if ($cooldownSeconds > 0) {
+            RateLimiter::hit($rateLimitKey, $cooldownSeconds);
+        }
+
+        // Keep rolling buffer of latest 200 messages in DB
+        ChatMessage::pruneOldMessages(200);
+
+        // Broadcast to Pusher Channels
+        try {
+            broadcast(new ChatMessageSent($message))->toOthers();
+        } catch (\Throwable $e) {
+            // Log without failing response
+        }
+
+        $message->loadMissing(['user:id,name,username,image_path,institution', 'user.roles:id,name']);
+
+        return response()->json([
+            'id' => $message->id,
+            'content' => $message->content,
+            'created_at' => $message->created_at->toIso8601String(),
+            'user' => [
+                'id' => $message->user->id,
+                'name' => $message->user->name,
+                'username' => $message->user->username,
+                'image_url' => $message->user->image_url,
+                'institution' => $message->user->institution,
+                'is_verified' => $message->user->is_verified,
+                'roles' => $message->user->roles->pluck('name')->toArray(),
+            ],
+        ], 201);
+    }
+
+    public function destroy(Request $request, ChatMessage $message)
+    {
+        $user = $request->user();
+        abort_unless($user, 401);
+
+        // Can delete if own message or has manage chat permission
+        if ($message->user_id !== $user->id && ! $user->can('manage chat')) {
+            abort(403, 'Unauthorized');
+        }
+
+        $messageId = $message->id;
+        $message->delete();
+
+        try {
+            broadcast(new ChatMessageDeleted($messageId))->toOthers();
+        } catch (\Throwable $e) {
+            // Ignore
+        }
+
+        return response()->json(['success' => true]);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Models/AppSetting.php b/app/Models/AppSetting.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..becc4db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Models/AppSetting.php
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Models;
+
+use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Cache;
+
+class AppSetting extends Model
+{
+    protected $fillable = [
+        'key',
+        'value',
+        'type',
+    ];
+
+    public static function get(string $key, mixed $default = null): mixed
+    {
+        return Cache::rememberForever("app_setting:{$key}", function () use ($key, $default) {
+            $setting = static::where('key', $key)->first();
+            if (! $setting) {
+                return $default;
+            }
+
+            return match ($setting->type) {
+                'boolean' => filter_var($setting->value, FILTER_VALIDATE_BOOLEAN),
+                'integer' => (int) $setting->value,
+                'json' => json_decode($setting->value, true),
+                default => $setting->value,
+            };
+        });
+    }
+
+    public static function set(string $key, mixed $value, string $type = 'string'): static
+    {
+        $stringValue = match ($type) {
+            'boolean' => $value ? '1' : '0',
+            'json' => json_encode($value),
+            default => (string) $value,
+        };
+
+        $setting = static::updateOrCreate(
+            ['key' => $key],
+            ['value' => $stringValue, 'type' => $type]
+        );
+
+        Cache::forget("app_setting:{$key}");
+
+        return $setting;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/Models/ChatMessage.php b/app/Models/ChatMessage.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f2f71f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/Models/ChatMessage.php
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace App\Models;
+
+use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model;
+use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Relations\BelongsTo;
+
+class ChatMessage extends Model
+{
+    protected $fillable = [
+        'user_id',
+        'content',
+    ];
+
+    public function user(): BelongsTo
+    {
+        return $this->belongsTo(User::class);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Keep only the latest N messages in the database.
+     */
+    public static function pruneOldMessages(int $keepCount = 200): void
+    {
+        $cutoffId = static::latest('id')->skip($keepCount)->value('id');
+        if ($cutoffId) {
+            static::where('id', '<=', $cutoffId)->delete();
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/composer.json b/composer.json
index 7c5596c..08dc7c4 100644
--- a/composer.json
+++ b/composer.json
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
         "laravel/tinker": "^3.0",
         "laravel/wayfinder": "^0.1.14",
         "league/flysystem-aws-s3-v3": "^3.35",
+        "pusher/pusher-php-server": "^7.2",
         "spatie/laravel-permission": "^8.0",
         "spatie/laravel-sitemap": "^8.0"
     },
diff --git a/composer.lock b/composer.lock
index 3e710f7..ee4e61e 100644
--- a/composer.lock
+++ b/composer.lock
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
         "Read more about it at https://getcomposer.org/doc/01-basic-usage.md#installing-dependencies",
         "This file is @generated automatically"
     ],
-    "content-hash": "369efb10767cd56d1d38211be139f830",
+    "content-hash": "2f1c67214230a1f69d9b6ee549d832df",
     "packages": [
         {
             "name": "aws/aws-crt-php",
@@ -4352,6 +4352,69 @@
             },
             "time": "2026-05-23T13:41:31+00:00"
         },
+        {
+            "name": "pusher/pusher-php-server",
+            "version": "7.3.0",
+            "source": {
+                "type": "git",
+                "url": "https://github.com/pusher/pusher-http-php.git",
+                "reference": "058d8464246118110a341fc2e6e70c7c8b6a7f2c"
+            },
+            "dist": {
+                "type": "zip",
+                "url": "https://api.github.com/repos/pusher/pusher-http-php/zipball/058d8464246118110a341fc2e6e70c7c8b6a7f2c",
+                "reference": "058d8464246118110a341fc2e6e70c7c8b6a7f2c",
+                "shasum": ""
+            },
+            "require": {
+                "ext-curl": "*",
+                "ext-json": "*",
+                "guzzlehttp/guzzle": "^7.8.2 || ^8.0",
+                "guzzlehttp/promises": "^2.0.3 || ^3.0",
+                "guzzlehttp/psr7": "^2.6.3 || ^3.0",
+                "php": "^7.3|^8.0",
+                "psr/http-client": "^1.0",
+                "psr/log": "^1.0 || ^2.0 || ^3.0"
+            },
+            "require-dev": {
+                "overtrue/phplint": "^2.3",
+                "phpunit/phpunit": "^9.3"
+            },
+            "type": "library",
+            "extra": {
+                "branch-alias": {
+                    "dev-master": "5.0-dev"
+                }
+            },
+            "autoload": {
+                "psr-4": {
+                    "Pusher\\": "src/"
+                }
+            },
+            "notification-url": "https://packagist.org/downloads/",
+            "license": [
+                "MIT"
+            ],
+            "description": "Library for interacting with the Pusher REST API",
+            "keywords": [
+                "events",
+                "messaging",
+                "php-pusher-server",
+                "publish",
+                "push",
+                "pusher",
+                "real time",
+                "real-time",
+                "realtime",
+                "rest",
+                "trigger"
+            ],
+            "support": {
+                "issues": "https://github.com/pusher/pusher-http-php/issues",
+                "source": "https://github.com/pusher/pusher-http-php/tree/7.3.0"
+            },
+            "time": "2026-08-07T12:47:11+00:00"
+        },
         {
             "name": "ralouphie/getallheaders",
             "version": "3.0.3",
diff --git a/config/broadcasting.php b/config/broadcasting.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..afb5eb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/broadcasting.php
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+<?php
+
+return [
+
+    /*
+    |--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    | Default Broadcaster
+    |--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    |
+    | This option controls the default broadcaster that will be used by the
+    | framework when an event needs to be broadcast. You may set this to
+    | any of the connections defined in the "connections" array below.
+    |
+    | Supported: "reverb", "pusher", "ably", "redis", "log", "null"
+    |
+    */
+
+    'default' => env('BROADCAST_CONNECTION', 'pusher'),
+
+    /*
+    |--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    | Broadcast Connections
+    |--------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    |
+    | Here you may define all of the broadcast connections that will be used
+    | to broadcast events to other systems or over WebSockets. Samples of
+    | each available type of connection are provided inside this array.
+    |
+    */
+
+    'connections' => [
+
+        'pusher' => [
+            'driver' => 'pusher',
+            'key' => env('PUSHER_APP_KEY'),
+            'secret' => env('PUSHER_APP_SECRET'),
+            'app_id' => env('PUSHER_APP_ID'),
+            'options' => [
+                'cluster' => env('PUSHER_APP_CLUSTER', 'ap2'),
+                'host' => env('PUSHER_HOST') ?: 'api-'.env('PUSHER_APP_CLUSTER', 'ap2').'.pusher.com',
+                'port' => env('PUSHER_PORT', 443),
+                'scheme' => env('PUSHER_SCHEME', 'https'),
+                'encrypted' => true,
+                'useTLS' => env('PUSHER_SCHEME', 'https') === 'https',
+            ],
+            'client_options' => [
+                // Guzzle client options:
+            ],
+        ],
+
+        'log' => [
+            'driver' => 'log',
+        ],
+
+        'null' => [
+            'driver' => 'null',
+        ],
+
+    ],
+
+];
diff --git a/database/migrations/2026_08_27_124000_create_app_settings_table.php b/database/migrations/2026_08_27_124000_create_app_settings_table.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2301aca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/migrations/2026_08_27_124000_create_app_settings_table.php
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+<?php
+
+use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+return new class extends Migration
+{
+    /**
+     * Run the migrations.
+     */
+    public function up(): void
+    {
+        Schema::create('app_settings', function (Blueprint $table) {
+            $table->id();
+            $table->string('key')->unique();
+            $table->text('value')->nullable();
+            $table->string('type')->default('string');
+            $table->timestamps();
+        });
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reverse the migrations.
+     */
+    public function down(): void
+    {
+        Schema::dropIfExists('app_settings');
+    }
+};
diff --git a/database/migrations/2026_08_27_124018_create_chat_messages_table.php b/database/migrations/2026_08_27_124018_create_chat_messages_table.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..01078d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/migrations/2026_08_27_124018_create_chat_messages_table.php
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+<?php
+
+use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+return new class extends Migration
+{
+    /**
+     * Run the migrations.
+     */
+    public function up(): void
+    {
+        Schema::create('chat_messages', function (Blueprint $table) {
+            $table->id();
+            $table->foreignId('user_id')->constrained()->cascadeOnDelete();
+            $table->string('content', 280);
+            $table->timestamps();
+
+            $table->index('created_at');
+        });
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reverse the migrations.
+     */
+    public function down(): void
+    {
+        Schema::dropIfExists('chat_messages');
+    }
+};
diff --git a/database/seeders/RolePermissionSeeder.php b/database/seeders/RolePermissionSeeder.php
index de050a7..b46a289 100644
--- a/database/seeders/RolePermissionSeeder.php
+++ b/database/seeders/RolePermissionSeeder.php
@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@ public function run(): void
          */
         Permission::findOrCreate('clear cache');
 
+        /*
+         * Global Chat management
+         */
+        Permission::findOrCreate('manage chat');
+
         $admin->syncPermissions(Permission::all());
         // Administrators have unrestricted access to all features.
 
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index c80633a..efed936 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -11,9 +11,11 @@
                 "@vitejs/plugin-vue": "^6.0.0",
                 "clsx": "^2.1.1",
                 "concurrently": "^9.0.1",
+                "laravel-echo": "^2.4.0",
                 "laravel-vite-plugin": "^3.1",
                 "lucide-vue-next": "^1.0.0",
                 "plyr": "^3.8.4",
+                "pusher-js": "^8.6.0",
                 "tailwind-merge": "^3.2.0",
                 "tailwindcss": "^4.1.1",
                 "typescript": "^5.2.2",
@@ -6958,6 +6960,27 @@
                 "json-buffer": "3.0.1"
             }
         },
+        "node_modules/laravel-echo": {
+            "version": "2.4.0",
+            "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/laravel-echo/-/laravel-echo-2.4.0.tgz",
+            "integrity": "sha512-8w0fAGSNt6THfbNyqdKc29bhfeNpJg13CGx2fcLgoX0/f0mTJm/AIkYTTakmcr9pc42ZB68cSoE00j4/xNaFGQ==",
+            "license": "MIT",
+            "engines": {
+                "node": ">=20"
+            },
+            "peerDependencies": {
+                "pusher-js": "*",
+                "socket.io-client": "*"
+            },
+            "peerDependenciesMeta": {
+                "pusher-js": {
+                    "optional": true
+                },
+                "socket.io-client": {
+                    "optional": true
+                }
+            }
+        },
         "node_modules/laravel-precognition": {
             "version": "2.0.0",
             "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/laravel-precognition/-/laravel-precognition-2.0.0.tgz",
@@ -8017,6 +8040,15 @@
                 "node": ">=6"
             }
         },
+        "node_modules/pusher-js": {
+            "version": "8.6.0",
+            "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/pusher-js/-/pusher-js-8.6.0.tgz",
+            "integrity": "sha512-wShJPfCS/kYkCBVzVW67wa9cnQIgHTszEK2XHNrFkOgGruuGw081aERAxfRjfdFU+WcIt8x6dvbwkTW4iZuQ8Q==",
+            "license": "MIT",
+            "dependencies": {
+                "tweetnacl": "^1.0.3"
+            }
+        },
         "node_modules/queue-microtask": {
             "version": "1.2.3",
             "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/queue-microtask/-/queue-microtask-1.2.3.tgz",
@@ -9020,6 +9052,12 @@
             "integrity": "sha512-oJFu94HQb+KVduSUQL7wnpmqnfmLsOA/nAh6b6EH0wCEoK0/mPeXU6c3wKDV83MkOuHPRHtSXKKU99IBazS/2w==",
             "license": "0BSD"
         },
+        "node_modules/tweetnacl": {
+            "version": "1.0.3",
+            "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/tweetnacl/-/tweetnacl-1.0.3.tgz",
+            "integrity": "sha512-6rt+RN7aOi1nGMyC4Xa5DdYiukl2UWCbcJft7YhxReBGQD7OAM8Pbxw6YMo4r2diNEA8FEmu32YOn9rhaiE5yw==",
+            "license": "Unlicense"
+        },
         "node_modules/type-check": {
             "version": "0.4.0",
             "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/type-check/-/type-check-0.4.0.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 20bbcef..19db3aa 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -36,9 +36,11 @@
         "@vitejs/plugin-vue": "^6.0.0",
         "clsx": "^2.1.1",
         "concurrently": "^9.0.1",
+        "laravel-echo": "^2.4.0",
         "laravel-vite-plugin": "^3.1",
         "lucide-vue-next": "^1.0.0",
         "plyr": "^3.8.4",
+        "pusher-js": "^8.6.0",
         "tailwind-merge": "^3.2.0",
         "tailwindcss": "^4.1.1",
         "typescript": "^5.2.2",
diff --git a/resources/js/components/NavBar.vue b/resources/js/components/NavBar.vue
index a1529b9..567f574 100644
--- a/resources/js/components/NavBar.vue
+++ b/resources/js/components/NavBar.vue
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import {
     Users,
     HeartHandshake,
     Search,
+    MessageCircle,
 } from 'lucide-vue-next';
 import {
     computed,
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ const canAccessAdmin = computed(() => page.props.auth?.can_access_admin);
 const currentUrl = computed(() => page.url);
 
 const isBlogsActive = computed(() => currentUrl.value.startsWith('/blogs'));
+const isChatActive = computed(() => currentUrl.value.startsWith('/chat'));
 const isHomeActive = computed(
     () =>
         currentUrl.value === '/' ||
@@ -293,6 +295,18 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
                     >
                         Blogs
                     </Link>
+
+                    <Link
+                        href="/chat"
+                        class="text-sm font-medium transition-colors"
+                        :class="
+                            isChatActive
+                                ? 'font-semibold text-indigo-600 dark:text-indigo-400'
+                                : 'text-slate-600 hover:text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-400 dark:hover:text-gray-100'
+                        "
+                    >
+                        Global Chat
+                    </Link>
                 </nav>
 
                 <!-- Right: Controls & Profile Cluster -->
@@ -561,7 +575,11 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
                                             v-else
                                             class="flex h-10 w-10 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-indigo-600 text-sm font-black text-white dark:bg-indigo-500"
                                         >
-                                            {{ user.name.charAt(0).toUpperCase() }}
+                                            {{
+                                                user.name
+                                                    .charAt(0)
+                                                    .toUpperCase()
+                                            }}
                                         </div>
                                         <div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
                                             <p
@@ -636,6 +654,20 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
                                         <BookOpen class="h-4 w-4" />
                                         <span>Blogs</span>
                                     </Link>
+
+                                    <Link
+                                        href="/chat"
+                                        @click="closeMobileMenu"
+                                        class="flex items-center gap-3 rounded-xl px-3 py-2 text-xs font-bold transition-all"
+                                        :class="
+                                            isChatActive
+                                                ? 'bg-indigo-50 text-indigo-600 dark:bg-indigo-500/10 dark:text-indigo-400'
+                                                : 'text-slate-600 hover:bg-slate-100/70 hover:text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-400 dark:hover:bg-gray-900/60 dark:hover:text-gray-200'
+                                        "
+                                    >
+                                        <MessageCircle class="h-4 w-4" />
+                                        <span>Global Chat</span>
+                                    </Link>
                                 </div>
                             </div>
 
@@ -824,8 +856,8 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
                         Sign out of your account?
                     </h3>
                     <p class="mt-1 text-xs text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400">
-                        Are you sure you want to log out of HSCStack? You will need
-                        to sign in again to access your account features.
+                        Are you sure you want to log out of HSCStack? You will
+                        need to sign in again to access your account features.
                     </p>
 
                     <div class="mt-5 flex gap-2.5">
diff --git a/resources/js/layouts/AdminLayout.vue b/resources/js/layouts/AdminLayout.vue
index c23de2c..9bf2d01 100644
--- a/resources/js/layouts/AdminLayout.vue
+++ b/resources/js/layouts/AdminLayout.vue
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {
     Bell,
     Book,
     Mail,
+    MessageCircle,
 } from 'lucide-vue-next';
 import { computed, ref } from 'vue';
 import DesktopSidebar from '@/components/admin/DesktopSidebar.vue';
@@ -29,6 +30,12 @@ const allNavigation = [
         icon: Bell,
         permission: 'edit notice',
     },
+    {
+        name: 'Global Chat',
+        to: '/admin/chat',
+        icon: MessageCircle,
+        permission: 'manage chat',
+    },
     {
         name: 'Users',
         to: '/admin/users',
diff --git a/resources/js/lib/echo.ts b/resources/js/lib/echo.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..195f150
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/lib/echo.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import Echo from 'laravel-echo';
+import Pusher from 'pusher-js';
+
+declare global {
+    interface Window {
+        Pusher: typeof Pusher;
+        Echo: Echo<'pusher'>;
+    }
+}
+
+window.Pusher = Pusher;
+
+let echoInstance: Echo<'pusher'> | null = null;
+
+export function getEcho(key?: string, cluster?: string): Echo<'pusher'> | null {
+    if (echoInstance) {
+        return echoInstance;
+    }
+
+    const pusherKey = key || import.meta.env.VITE_PUSHER_APP_KEY;
+    const pusherCluster =
+        cluster || import.meta.env.VITE_PUSHER_APP_CLUSTER || 'ap2';
+
+    if (!pusherKey) {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    echoInstance = new Echo({
+        broadcaster: 'pusher',
+        key: pusherKey,
+        cluster: pusherCluster,
+        forceTLS: true,
+    });
+
+    window.Echo = echoInstance;
+
+    return echoInstance;
+}
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/Chat/Index.vue b/resources/js/pages/Chat/Index.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aad8c49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/pages/Chat/Index.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,570 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { Head, Link, usePage } from '@inertiajs/vue3';
+import { Send, Trash2, Lock, Loader2, LogIn, ArrowDown } from 'lucide-vue-next';
+import { ref, computed, onMounted, onUnmounted, nextTick } from 'vue';
+import VerifiedBadge from '@/components/VerifiedBadge.vue';
+import { getEcho } from '@/lib/echo';
+
+interface ChatUser {
+    id: number;
+    name: string;
+    username: string;
+    image_url: string | null;
+    institution: string | null;
+    is_verified: boolean;
+    roles: string[];
+}
+
+interface ChatMessageItem {
+    id: number;
+    content: string;
+    created_at: string;
+    user: ChatUser;
+}
+
+const props = defineProps<{
+    chatState: {
+        enabled: boolean;
+        audience: string;
+        cooldown_seconds: number;
+        can_post: boolean;
+        reason: string | null;
+        can_delete: boolean;
+        messages: ChatMessageItem[];
+        pusher_key?: string;
+        pusher_cluster?: string;
+    };
+}>();
+
+const page = usePage();
+const currentUser = computed(() => page.props.auth?.user);
+
+const messages = ref<ChatMessageItem[]>(props.chatState.messages || []);
+const inputContent = ref('');
+const isSending = ref(false);
+const canPost = ref(props.chatState.can_post);
+const restrictionReason = ref(props.chatState.reason);
+const canDelete = ref(props.chatState.can_delete);
+const activeCooldownSeconds = ref(props.chatState.cooldown_seconds ?? 30);
+
+const messagesContainerRef = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null);
+const showScrollButton = ref(false);
+
+// Cooldown logic
+const cooldownSeconds = ref(0);
+let cooldownInterval: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null;
+const COOLDOWN_KEY = 'hscstack_chat_cooldown_until';
+
+const initCooldown = () => {
+    try {
+        const storedUntil = localStorage.getItem(COOLDOWN_KEY);
+
+        if (storedUntil) {
+            const until = parseInt(storedUntil, 10);
+            const remaining = Math.ceil((until - Date.now()) / 1000);
+
+            if (remaining > 0) {
+                startCooldown(remaining);
+            } else {
+                localStorage.removeItem(COOLDOWN_KEY);
+            }
+        }
+    } catch {
+        // ignore
+    }
+};
+
+const startCooldown = (seconds: number) => {
+    if (seconds <= 0) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    cooldownSeconds.value = seconds;
+    const until = Date.now() + seconds * 1000;
+
+    try {
+        localStorage.setItem(COOLDOWN_KEY, until.toString());
+    } catch {
+        // ignore
+    }
+
+    if (cooldownInterval) {
+        clearInterval(cooldownInterval);
+    }
+
+    cooldownInterval = setInterval(() => {
+        if (cooldownSeconds.value > 1) {
+            cooldownSeconds.value--;
+        } else {
+            cooldownSeconds.value = 0;
+
+            if (cooldownInterval) {
+                clearInterval(cooldownInterval);
+            }
+
+            localStorage.removeItem(COOLDOWN_KEY);
+        }
+    }, 1000);
+};
+
+const handleScroll = () => {
+    if (!messagesContainerRef.value) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const { scrollTop, scrollHeight, clientHeight } =
+        messagesContainerRef.value;
+    const distanceToBottom = scrollHeight - scrollTop - clientHeight;
+    showScrollButton.value = distanceToBottom > 150;
+};
+
+const scrollToBottom = (smooth = true) => {
+    nextTick(() => {
+        if (messagesContainerRef.value) {
+            messagesContainerRef.value.scrollTo({
+                top: messagesContainerRef.value.scrollHeight,
+                behavior: smooth ? 'smooth' : 'auto',
+            });
+            showScrollButton.value = false;
+        }
+    });
+};
+
+const setupRealtime = () => {
+    const echo = getEcho(
+        props.chatState.pusher_key,
+        props.chatState.pusher_cluster,
+    );
+
+    if (!echo) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    echo.channel('global-chat')
+        .stopListening('.message.sent')
+        .stopListening('.message.deleted')
+        .listen('.message.sent', (e: { message: ChatMessageItem }) => {
+            if (e && e.message) {
+                if (!messages.value.some((m) => m.id === e.message.id)) {
+                    messages.value.push(e.message);
+
+                    if (messages.value.length > 200) {
+                        messages.value.shift();
+                    }
+
+                    scrollToBottom(true);
+                }
+            }
+        })
+        .listen('.message.deleted', (e: { messageId: number }) => {
+            if (e && e.messageId) {
+                messages.value = messages.value.filter(
+                    (m) => m.id !== e.messageId,
+                );
+            }
+        });
+};
+
+const sendMessage = async () => {
+    if (
+        !inputContent.value.trim() ||
+        isSending.value ||
+        cooldownSeconds.value > 0
+    ) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const content = inputContent.value.trim();
+
+    if (content.length > 280) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    isSending.value = true;
+
+    try {
+        const token = (
+            document.querySelector('meta[name="csrf-token"]') as HTMLMetaElement
+        )?.content;
+        const res = await fetch('/api/chat/messages', {
+            method: 'POST',
+            headers: {
+                'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+                Accept: 'application/json',
+                'X-Requested-With': 'XMLHttpRequest',
+                'X-CSRF-TOKEN': token || '',
+            },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ content }),
+        });
+
+        if (res.ok) {
+            const newMsg = await res.json();
+
+            if (!messages.value.some((m) => m.id === newMsg.id)) {
+                messages.value.push(newMsg);
+
+                if (messages.value.length > 200) {
+                    messages.value.shift();
+                }
+            }
+
+            inputContent.value = '';
+
+            if (activeCooldownSeconds.value > 0) {
+                startCooldown(activeCooldownSeconds.value);
+            }
+
+            scrollToBottom(true);
+        } else if (res.status === 429) {
+            const data = await res.json();
+            startCooldown(data.retry_after || activeCooldownSeconds.value);
+        } else {
+            const err = await res.json();
+            alert(err.message || 'Failed to send message.');
+        }
+    } catch {
+        alert('Network error. Please try again.');
+    } finally {
+        isSending.value = false;
+    }
+};
+
+const deleteMessage = async (messageId: number) => {
+    if (!confirm('Are you sure you want to delete this message?')) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    try {
+        const token = (
+            document.querySelector('meta[name="csrf-token"]') as HTMLMetaElement
+        )?.content;
+        const res = await fetch(`/api/chat/messages/${messageId}`, {
+            method: 'DELETE',
+            headers: {
+                Accept: 'application/json',
+                'X-Requested-With': 'XMLHttpRequest',
+                'X-CSRF-TOKEN': token || '',
+            },
+        });
+
+        if (res.ok) {
+            messages.value = messages.value.filter((m) => m.id !== messageId);
+        }
+    } catch (e) {
+        console.error('Failed to delete message', e);
+    }
+};
+
+const formatTime = (isoString: string) => {
+    try {
+        const date = new Date(isoString);
+
+        return date.toLocaleTimeString([], {
+            hour: '2-digit',
+            minute: '2-digit',
+        });
+    } catch {
+        return '';
+    }
+};
+
+const formatDateDivider = (isoString: string) => {
+    try {
+        const date = new Date(isoString);
+
+        return date.toLocaleDateString(undefined, {
+            month: 'short',
+            day: 'numeric',
+        });
+    } catch {
+        return '';
+    }
+};
+
+const shouldShowDateDivider = (index: number) => {
+    if (index === 0) {
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    const prev = new Date(messages.value[index - 1].created_at).toDateString();
+    const curr = new Date(messages.value[index].created_at).toDateString();
+
+    return prev !== curr;
+};
+
+onMounted(() => {
+    initCooldown();
+    setupRealtime();
+    scrollToBottom(false);
+});
+
+onUnmounted(() => {
+    if (cooldownInterval) {
+        clearInterval(cooldownInterval);
+    }
+});
+</script>
+
+<template>
+    <Head>
+        <title>Global Chat</title>
+        <meta
+            name="description"
+            content="Real-time public discussion space for HSC and SSC students."
+        />
+    </Head>
+
+    <main class="mx-auto max-w-4xl px-4 py-4 sm:px-6 sm:py-6 lg:px-8">
+        <!-- Compact Page Title & Subtitle -->
+        <div class="mb-3 border-b border-slate-100 pb-3 dark:border-gray-800">
+            <h1
+                class="text-2xl font-extrabold tracking-tight text-slate-900 sm:text-3xl dark:text-gray-100"
+            >
+                Global Chat
+            </h1>
+            <p
+                class="mt-0.5 text-xs text-slate-500 sm:text-sm dark:text-gray-400"
+            >
+                অন্যান্য শিক্ষার্থীদের সাথে সরাসরি কথা বলুন ও প্রশ্ন শেয়ার করুন।
+            </p>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Chat Container Window -->
+        <div
+            class="flex h-[calc(100vh-14rem)] max-h-[740px] min-h-[520px] flex-col overflow-hidden rounded-2xl border border-slate-200/90 bg-white shadow-2xs dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-900"
+        >
+            <!-- Messages Stream -->
+            <div
+                ref="messagesContainerRef"
+                @scroll="handleScroll"
+                class="relative flex-1 divide-y divide-slate-100/80 overflow-y-auto p-3 sm:p-5 dark:divide-gray-800/60"
+            >
+                <!-- Empty State -->
+                <div
+                    v-if="messages.length === 0"
+                    class="flex h-full flex-col items-center justify-center p-8 text-center text-slate-400"
+                >
+                    <p
+                        class="text-sm font-semibold text-slate-600 dark:text-gray-400"
+                    >
+                        No messages yet
+                    </p>
+                    <p class="mt-1 text-xs text-slate-400 dark:text-gray-500">
+                        Be the first to send a message to start the
+                        conversation.
+                    </p>
+                </div>
+
+                <!-- Messages Feed -->
+                <template v-for="(msg, idx) in messages" :key="msg.id">
+                    <!-- Date Divider -->
+                    <div
+                        v-if="shouldShowDateDivider(idx)"
+                        class="sticky top-0 z-10 my-2 flex justify-center"
+                    >
+                        <span
+                            class="rounded-full bg-slate-100 px-3 py-0.5 text-[10px] font-medium text-slate-600 shadow-2xs dark:bg-gray-800 dark:text-gray-300"
+                        >
+                            {{ formatDateDivider(msg.created_at) }}
+                        </span>
+                    </div>
+
+                    <!-- Individual Message Row (Distinctly Highlighted for currentUser) -->
+                    <div
+                        class="group -mx-1.5 flex items-start gap-3 rounded-xl px-2.5 py-2.5 text-left transition sm:-mx-2 sm:px-3 sm:py-3"
+                        :class="
+                            currentUser &&
+                            Number(currentUser.id) === Number(msg.user.id)
+                                ? 'bg-indigo-50/50 hover:bg-indigo-50/80 dark:bg-indigo-950/25 dark:hover:bg-indigo-950/40'
+                                : 'hover:bg-slate-50/60 dark:hover:bg-gray-800/30'
+                        "
+                    >
+                        <!-- User Avatar -->
+                        <Link
+                            :href="`/u/${msg.user.username}`"
+                            class="flex h-8.5 w-8.5 shrink-0 items-center justify-center overflow-hidden rounded-full font-semibold transition hover:ring-2 hover:ring-indigo-400 sm:h-9 sm:w-9"
+                            :class="
+                                currentUser &&
+                                Number(currentUser.id) === Number(msg.user.id)
+                                    ? 'bg-indigo-600 text-white dark:bg-indigo-500'
+                                    : 'bg-indigo-50 text-indigo-700 dark:bg-indigo-950/60 dark:text-indigo-300'
+                            "
+                        >
+                            <img
+                                v-if="msg.user.image_url"
+                                :src="msg.user.image_url"
+                                :alt="msg.user.name"
+                                class="h-full w-full object-cover"
+                            />
+                            <span v-else class="text-xs uppercase">
+                                {{ msg.user.name?.charAt(0) || 'U' }}
+                            </span>
+                        </Link>
+
+                        <!-- Content Area -->
+                        <div class="min-w-0 flex-1">
+                            <!-- Header Info -->
+                            <div
+                                class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2"
+                            >
+                                <div class="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-1.5">
+                                    <Link
+                                        :href="`/u/${msg.user.username}`"
+                                        class="truncate text-xs font-semibold text-slate-900 transition hover:text-indigo-600 dark:text-gray-100 dark:hover:text-indigo-400"
+                                    >
+                                        {{ msg.user.name }}
+                                    </Link>
+
+                                    <!-- You Badge -->
+                                    <span
+                                        v-if="
+                                            currentUser &&
+                                            Number(currentUser.id) ===
+                                                Number(msg.user.id)
+                                        "
+                                        class="py-0.2 rounded-md bg-indigo-100 px-1.5 text-[9px] font-bold text-indigo-700 dark:bg-indigo-900/60 dark:text-indigo-300"
+                                    >
+                                        You
+                                    </span>
+
+                                    <VerifiedBadge
+                                        v-if="msg.user.is_verified"
+                                    />
+                                    <span
+                                        v-if="msg.user.institution"
+                                        class="hidden truncate text-[11px] text-slate-400 sm:inline dark:text-gray-500"
+                                    >
+                                        • {{ msg.user.institution }}
+                                    </span>
+                                </div>
+
+                                <div class="flex shrink-0 items-center gap-2">
+                                    <span
+                                        class="text-[10px] text-slate-400 sm:text-[11px] dark:text-gray-500"
+                                    >
+                                        {{ formatTime(msg.created_at) }}
+                                    </span>
+
+                                    <!-- Delete Button -->
+                                    <button
+                                        v-if="
+                                            canDelete ||
+                                            (currentUser &&
+                                                Number(currentUser.id) ===
+                                                    Number(msg.user.id))
+                                        "
+                                        @click="deleteMessage(msg.id)"
+                                        class="cursor-pointer rounded-md p-1 text-slate-400 opacity-100 transition hover:bg-rose-50 hover:text-rose-600 sm:opacity-0 sm:group-hover:opacity-100 dark:hover:bg-rose-950/40 dark:hover:text-rose-400"
+                                        title="Delete message"
+                                    >
+                                        <Trash2 class="h-3 w-3" />
+                                    </button>
+                                </div>
+                            </div>
+
+                            <!-- Message Text -->
+                            <p
+                                class="mt-1 text-xs leading-relaxed break-words whitespace-pre-wrap sm:text-sm"
+                                :class="
+                                    currentUser &&
+                                    Number(currentUser.id) ===
+                                        Number(msg.user.id)
+                                        ? 'text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100'
+                                        : 'text-slate-700 dark:text-gray-300'
+                                "
+                            >
+                                {{ msg.content }}
+                            </p>
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                </template>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- Scroll To Bottom Button -->
+            <button
+                v-if="showScrollButton"
+                type="button"
+                @click="scrollToBottom(true)"
+                class="absolute right-8 bottom-24 flex h-8 w-8 cursor-pointer items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-slate-900 text-white shadow-md transition hover:bg-slate-800 active:scale-95 dark:bg-gray-100 dark:text-gray-900"
+                title="Scroll to bottom"
+            >
+                <ArrowDown class="h-4 w-4" />
+            </button>
+
+            <!-- Bottom Input Field -->
+            <div
+                class="border-t border-slate-100 bg-white p-3.5 sm:p-4 dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-900"
+            >
+                <!-- Can Post -->
+                <form
+                    v-if="canPost"
+                    @submit.prevent="sendMessage"
+                    class="flex items-center gap-2"
+                >
+                    <div class="relative flex-1">
+                        <input
+                            v-model="inputContent"
+                            type="text"
+                            :disabled="isSending || cooldownSeconds > 0"
+                            placeholder="Type a message..."
+                            maxlength="280"
+                            class="w-full rounded-xl border border-slate-200 bg-slate-50/70 px-4 py-2.5 text-xs text-slate-800 placeholder:text-slate-400 focus:border-indigo-500 focus:bg-white focus:outline-none disabled:opacity-60 sm:text-sm dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-800 dark:text-gray-100 dark:placeholder:text-gray-500 dark:focus:border-indigo-400"
+                        />
+                        <span
+                            v-if="inputContent.length > 200"
+                            class="absolute top-1/2 right-3.5 -translate-y-1/2 text-[10px] font-medium text-slate-400"
+                        >
+                            {{ 280 - inputContent.length }}
+                        </span>
+                    </div>
+
+                    <button
+                        type="submit"
+                        :disabled="
+                            !inputContent.trim() ||
+                            isSending ||
+                            cooldownSeconds > 0
+                        "
+                        class="inline-flex h-10 shrink-0 cursor-pointer items-center justify-center gap-1.5 rounded-xl bg-indigo-600 px-4 text-xs font-semibold text-white shadow-xs transition hover:bg-indigo-700 active:scale-95 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-50 sm:text-sm dark:bg-indigo-500 dark:hover:bg-indigo-600"
+                    >
+                        <Loader2
+                            v-if="isSending"
+                            class="h-3.5 w-3.5 animate-spin"
+                        />
+                        <template v-else-if="cooldownSeconds > 0">
+                            <span>{{ cooldownSeconds }}s</span>
+                        </template>
+                        <template v-else>
+                            <Send class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                            <span class="hidden sm:inline">Send</span>
+                        </template>
+                    </button>
+                </form>
+
+                <!-- Restricted Notice -->
+                <div
+                    v-else
+                    class="flex items-center justify-between rounded-xl border border-slate-100 bg-slate-50 px-4 py-2.5 text-xs dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-800/40"
+                >
+                    <div
+                        class="flex items-center gap-2 text-slate-600 dark:text-gray-400"
+                    >
+                        <Lock class="h-3.5 w-3.5 shrink-0 text-slate-400" />
+                        <span>{{
+                            restrictionReason || 'Posting is restricted'
+                        }}</span>
+                    </div>
+
+                    <Link
+                        v-if="!currentUser"
+                        href="/login"
+                        class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 font-semibold text-indigo-600 hover:text-indigo-700 dark:text-indigo-400"
+                    >
+                        <LogIn class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                        <span>Sign in</span>
+                    </Link>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </main>
+</template>
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/admin/ChatSettings.vue b/resources/js/pages/admin/ChatSettings.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d45157
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/pages/admin/ChatSettings.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,414 @@
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { Head, useForm, router } from '@inertiajs/vue3';
+import {
+    MessageCircle,
+    Save,
+    Clock,
+    Users,
+    Trash2,
+    Loader2,
+    Activity,
+} from 'lucide-vue-next';
+import AdminLayout from '@/layouts/AdminLayout.vue';
+
+defineOptions({ layout: AdminLayout });
+
+const props = defineProps<{
+    settings: {
+        enabled: boolean;
+        audience: string;
+        cooldown_seconds: number;
+    };
+    totalMessages: number;
+    recentMessagesCount: number;
+}>();
+
+const form = useForm({
+    enabled: props.settings.enabled,
+    audience: props.settings.audience,
+    cooldown_seconds: props.settings.cooldown_seconds,
+});
+
+const submitSettings = () => {
+    form.post('/admin/chat/settings', {
+        preserveScroll: true,
+    });
+};
+
+const handleClearMessages = () => {
+    if (
+        confirm(
+            'Are you sure you want to permanently clear all global chat messages? This action cannot be undone.',
+        )
+    ) {
+        router.post('/admin/chat/clear', {}, { preserveScroll: true });
+    }
+};
+
+const cooldownPresets = [
+    { label: 'No Delay (0s)', value: 0 },
+    { label: '15 Seconds', value: 15 },
+    { label: '30 Seconds (Default)', value: 30 },
+    { label: '1 Minute (60s)', value: 60 },
+    { label: '2 Minutes (120s)', value: 120 },
+    { label: '5 Minutes (300s)', value: 300 },
+];
+</script>
+
+<template>
+    <Head title="Global Chat Settings - Staff Panel" />
+
+    <div class="space-y-6">
+        <!-- Header -->
+        <div
+            class="flex flex-col gap-3 border-b border-slate-100 pb-5 sm:flex-row sm:items-center sm:justify-between dark:border-gray-800"
+        >
+            <div class="flex items-center gap-3">
+                <div
+                    class="flex h-11 w-11 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-2xl bg-indigo-50 text-indigo-600 dark:bg-indigo-950/60 dark:text-indigo-400"
+                >
+                    <MessageCircle class="h-5 w-5" />
+                </div>
+                <div>
+                    <h1
+                        class="text-xl font-bold tracking-tight text-slate-900 sm:text-2xl dark:text-gray-100"
+                    >
+                        Global Chat Management
+                    </h1>
+                    <p class="mt-0.5 text-xs text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400">
+                        Manage realtime student lounge access, rate limits,
+                        cooldown intervals, and moderation.
+                    </p>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- Chat Live Indicator Badge -->
+            <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+                <span
+                    class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-xl px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-bold"
+                    :class="
+                        form.enabled && form.audience !== 'disabled'
+                            ? 'bg-emerald-50 text-emerald-700 dark:bg-emerald-950/60 dark:text-emerald-300'
+                            : 'bg-rose-50 text-rose-700 dark:bg-rose-950/60 dark:text-rose-300'
+                    "
+                >
+                    <span
+                        class="h-2 w-2 rounded-full"
+                        :class="
+                            form.enabled && form.audience !== 'disabled'
+                                ? 'animate-pulse bg-emerald-500'
+                                : 'bg-rose-500'
+                        "
+                    ></span>
+                    {{
+                        form.enabled && form.audience !== 'disabled'
+                            ? 'Chat Live'
+                            : 'Chat Inactive'
+                    }}
+                </span>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Metric Statistics Cards -->
+        <div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3">
+            <div
+                class="rounded-2xl border border-slate-100 bg-slate-50/60 p-4 dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-800/40"
+            >
+                <div class="flex items-center justify-between">
+                    <span
+                        class="text-xs font-semibold text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400"
+                        >Stored Messages</span
+                    >
+                    <MessageCircle class="h-4 w-4 text-indigo-500" />
+                </div>
+                <p
+                    class="mt-2 text-2xl font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                >
+                    {{ totalMessages }}
+                </p>
+                <span class="text-[11px] text-slate-400 dark:text-gray-500"
+                    >Auto-pruning maintains max 200</span
+                >
+            </div>
+
+            <div
+                class="rounded-2xl border border-slate-100 bg-slate-50/60 p-4 dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-800/40"
+            >
+                <div class="flex items-center justify-between">
+                    <span
+                        class="text-xs font-semibold text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400"
+                        >Activity (Last 24h)</span
+                    >
+                    <Activity class="h-4 w-4 text-emerald-500" />
+                </div>
+                <p
+                    class="mt-2 text-2xl font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                >
+                    {{ recentMessagesCount }}
+                </p>
+                <span class="text-[11px] text-slate-400 dark:text-gray-500"
+                    >Messages sent today</span
+                >
+            </div>
+
+            <div
+                class="rounded-2xl border border-slate-100 bg-slate-50/60 p-4 sm:col-span-2 lg:col-span-1 dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-800/40"
+            >
+                <div class="flex items-center justify-between">
+                    <span
+                        class="text-xs font-semibold text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400"
+                        >Current Cooldown</span
+                    >
+                    <Clock class="h-4 w-4 text-amber-500" />
+                </div>
+                <p
+                    class="mt-2 text-2xl font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                >
+                    {{ form.cooldown_seconds }}s
+                </p>
+                <span class="text-[11px] text-slate-400 dark:text-gray-500"
+                    >Per-user delay between messages</span
+                >
+            </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Main Configuration Form -->
+        <form
+            @submit.prevent="submitSettings"
+            class="space-y-6 rounded-2xl border border-slate-200/80 bg-white p-5 sm:p-7 dark:border-gray-800 dark:bg-gray-900"
+        >
+            <!-- 1. Master Toggle -->
+            <div
+                class="flex flex-col gap-4 border-b border-slate-100 pb-5 sm:flex-row sm:items-center sm:justify-between dark:border-gray-800"
+            >
+                <div>
+                    <label
+                        class="text-sm font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                    >
+                        Enable Global Chat Service
+                    </label>
+                    <p class="mt-0.5 text-xs text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400">
+                        Turn the global student chat completely on or off
+                        globally.
+                    </p>
+                </div>
+
+                <div class="flex items-center gap-3">
+                    <button
+                        type="button"
+                        @click="form.enabled = !form.enabled"
+                        class="relative inline-flex h-6 w-11 shrink-0 cursor-pointer rounded-full border-2 border-transparent transition-colors duration-200 ease-in-out focus:outline-none"
+                        :class="
+                            form.enabled
+                                ? 'bg-indigo-600 dark:bg-indigo-500'
+                                : 'bg-slate-200 dark:bg-gray-700'
+                        "
+                    >
+                        <span
+                            class="pointer-events-none inline-block h-5 w-5 transform rounded-full bg-white shadow ring-0 transition duration-200 ease-in-out"
+                            :class="
+                                form.enabled ? 'translate-x-5' : 'translate-x-0'
+                            "
+                        ></span>
+                    </button>
+                    <span
+                        class="text-xs font-bold text-slate-700 dark:text-gray-300"
+                    >
+                        {{ form.enabled ? 'Enabled' : 'Disabled' }}
+                    </span>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- 2. Audience Eligibility -->
+            <div
+                class="space-y-3 border-b border-slate-100 pb-6 dark:border-gray-800"
+            >
+                <div>
+                    <label
+                        class="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                    >
+                        <Users class="h-4 w-4 text-indigo-500" />
+                        Target Audience & Rollout Eligibility
+                    </label>
+                    <p class="mt-0.5 text-xs text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400">
+                        Choose who is permitted to send messages in the student
+                        lounge without code changes.
+                    </p>
+                </div>
+
+                <div class="grid grid-cols-1 gap-3 sm:grid-cols-3">
+                    <!-- Option: Verified Members Only -->
+                    <label
+                        class="flex cursor-pointer flex-col rounded-2xl border p-4 transition-all"
+                        :class="
+                            form.audience === 'verified_members'
+                                ? 'border-indigo-500 bg-indigo-50/40 ring-2 ring-indigo-500/20 dark:border-indigo-400 dark:bg-indigo-950/30'
+                                : 'border-slate-200 hover:border-slate-300 dark:border-gray-700 dark:hover:border-gray-600'
+                        "
+                    >
+                        <div class="mb-1.5 flex items-center justify-between">
+                            <span
+                                class="text-xs font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                                >Verified Members</span
+                            >
+                            <input
+                                type="radio"
+                                v-model="form.audience"
+                                value="verified_members"
+                                class="text-indigo-600 focus:ring-indigo-500"
+                            />
+                        </div>
+                        <p
+                            class="text-[11px] leading-relaxed text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400"
+                        >
+                            Only contributors, editors, and verified students
+                            can post. (Default Beta)
+                        </p>
+                    </label>
+
+                    <!-- Option: Everyone -->
+                    <label
+                        class="flex cursor-pointer flex-col rounded-2xl border p-4 transition-all"
+                        :class="
+                            form.audience === 'all'
+                                ? 'border-indigo-500 bg-indigo-50/40 ring-2 ring-indigo-500/20 dark:border-indigo-400 dark:bg-indigo-950/30'
+                                : 'border-slate-200 hover:border-slate-300 dark:border-gray-700 dark:hover:border-gray-600'
+                        "
+                    >
+                        <div class="mb-1.5 flex items-center justify-between">
+                            <span
+                                class="text-xs font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                                >Everyone (All Students)</span
+                            >
+                            <input
+                                type="radio"
+                                v-model="form.audience"
+                                value="all"
+                                class="text-indigo-600 focus:ring-indigo-500"
+                            />
+                        </div>
+                        <p
+                            class="text-[11px] leading-relaxed text-slate-400 dark:text-gray-500"
+                        >
+                            Any authenticated student can send messages.
+                        </p>
+                    </label>
+
+                    <!-- Option: Disabled / Read-only -->
+                    <label
+                        class="flex cursor-pointer flex-col rounded-2xl border p-4 transition-all"
+                        :class="
+                            form.audience === 'disabled'
+                                ? 'border-rose-500 bg-rose-50/40 ring-2 ring-rose-500/20 dark:border-rose-400 dark:bg-rose-950/30'
+                                : 'border-slate-200 hover:border-slate-300 dark:border-gray-700 dark:hover:border-gray-600'
+                        "
+                    >
+                        <div class="mb-1.5 flex items-center justify-between">
+                            <span
+                                class="text-xs font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                                >Read-Only Mode</span
+                            >
+                            <input
+                                type="radio"
+                                v-model="form.audience"
+                                value="disabled"
+                                class="text-rose-600 focus:ring-rose-500"
+                            />
+                        </div>
+                        <p
+                            class="text-[11px] leading-relaxed text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400"
+                        >
+                            Posting is locked for everyone during maintenance or
+                            exams.
+                        </p>
+                    </label>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- 3. Cooldown Interval / Rate Limit Configuration -->
+            <div
+                class="space-y-4 border-b border-slate-100 pb-6 dark:border-gray-800"
+            >
+                <div>
+                    <label
+                        class="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm font-bold text-slate-900 dark:text-gray-100"
+                    >
+                        <Clock class="h-4 w-4 text-indigo-500" />
+                        Message Cooldown Interval (Anti-Spam)
+                    </label>
+                    <p class="mt-0.5 text-xs text-slate-500 dark:text-gray-400">
+                        Specify how many seconds a student must wait before they
+                        can send another message.
+                    </p>
+                </div>
+
+                <!-- Quick Preset Buttons -->
+                <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-2">
+                    <button
+                        v-for="preset in cooldownPresets"
+                        :key="preset.value"
+                        type="button"
+                        @click="form.cooldown_seconds = preset.value"
+                        class="cursor-pointer rounded-xl border px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-bold transition-all active:scale-95"
+                        :class="
+                            form.cooldown_seconds === preset.value
+                                ? 'border-indigo-500 bg-indigo-50 text-indigo-700 dark:border-indigo-400 dark:bg-indigo-950/60 dark:text-indigo-300'
+                                : 'border-slate-200 bg-slate-50 text-slate-600 hover:bg-slate-100 dark:border-gray-700 dark:bg-gray-800 dark:text-gray-300 dark:hover:bg-gray-700'
+                        "
+                    >
+                        {{ preset.label }}
+                    </button>
+                </div>
+
+                <!-- Custom Interval Input -->
+                <div class="max-w-xs">
+                    <label
+                        class="mb-1 block text-xs font-semibold text-slate-600 dark:text-gray-400"
+                    >
+                        Custom Interval (Seconds):
+                    </label>
+                    <div class="relative">
+                        <input
+                            v-model.number="form.cooldown_seconds"
+                            type="number"
+                            min="0"
+                            max="3600"
+                            class="w-full rounded-xl border border-slate-200 bg-slate-50 px-3.5 py-2 text-xs font-bold text-slate-800 focus:border-indigo-500 focus:bg-white focus:outline-none dark:border-gray-700 dark:bg-gray-800 dark:text-gray-200 dark:focus:border-indigo-400"
+                        />
+                        <span
+                            class="absolute top-1/2 right-3 -translate-y-1/2 text-xs font-medium text-slate-400"
+                        >
+                            seconds
+                        </span>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <!-- Submit Button -->
+            <div class="flex items-center justify-between pt-2">
+                <button
+                    type="submit"
+                    :disabled="form.processing"
+                    class="inline-flex cursor-pointer items-center gap-2 rounded-xl bg-indigo-600 px-5 py-2.5 text-xs font-bold text-white shadow-xs transition-all hover:bg-indigo-700 active:scale-95 disabled:opacity-50 dark:bg-indigo-500 dark:hover:bg-indigo-600"
+                >
+                    <Loader2
+                        v-if="form.processing"
+                        class="h-4 w-4 animate-spin"
+                    />
+                    <Save v-else class="h-4 w-4" />
+                    <span>Save Chat Configuration</span>
+                </button>
+
+                <!-- Danger Zone: Purge Chat -->
+                <button
+                    type="button"
+                    @click="handleClearMessages"
+                    class="inline-flex cursor-pointer items-center gap-1.5 rounded-xl border border-rose-200 bg-rose-50/60 px-3.5 py-2 text-xs font-bold text-rose-600 transition hover:bg-rose-100 active:scale-95 dark:border-rose-900/60 dark:bg-rose-950/40 dark:text-rose-400 dark:hover:bg-rose-950/80"
+                >
+                    <Trash2 class="h-3.5 w-3.5" />
+                    <span>Clear All Messages</span>
+                </button>
+            </div>
+        </form>
+    </div>
+</template>
diff --git a/routes/admin.php b/routes/admin.php
index 3ec263a..ab9d605 100644
--- a/routes/admin.php
+++ b/routes/admin.php
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <?php
 
 use App\Http\Controllers\Admin\BlogController as AdminBlogController;
+use App\Http\Controllers\Admin\ChatSettingsController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\Admin\DashboardController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\Admin\EmailController as AdminEmailController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\Admin\NodeController as AdminNodeController;
@@ -110,3 +111,10 @@
     Route::get('/emails/send', [AdminEmailController::class, 'create'])->name('emails.create');
     Route::post('/emails/send', [AdminEmailController::class, 'store'])->name('emails.store');
 });
+
+// Chat Management & Settings
+Route::middleware('permission:manage chat')->group(function () {
+    Route::get('/chat', [ChatSettingsController::class, 'edit'])->name('chat.edit');
+    Route::post('/chat/settings', [ChatSettingsController::class, 'update'])->name('chat.settings.update');
+    Route::post('/chat/clear', [ChatSettingsController::class, 'clearMessages'])->name('chat.clear');
+});
diff --git a/routes/web.php b/routes/web.php
index 55a3d07..81af179 100644
--- a/routes/web.php
+++ b/routes/web.php
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 use App\Http\Controllers\AboutUsController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\Admin\AuthController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\BlogController;
+use App\Http\Controllers\ChatController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\NodeController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\ProfileController;
 use App\Http\Controllers\ResourceController;
@@ -29,13 +30,19 @@
     Route::post('/resources/{resource}/complete', [ResourceController::class, 'toggleComplete'])->name('resources.complete');
     Route::post('/nodes/{node}/vote', [NodeController::class, 'vote'])->name('nodes.vote');
     Route::post('/u/{user}/appreciate', [UserProfileController::class, 'toggleAppreciate'])->name('user.appreciate');
-    
-    Route::get('/me', function (Request $request){
+
+    Route::get('/me', function (Request $request) {
         return redirect()->route('user.profile', ['username' => $request->user()->username]);
     })->name('me');
-    
+
+    // Global Chat Actions
+    Route::post('/api/chat/messages', [ChatController::class, 'store'])->name('chat.messages.store');
+    Route::delete('/api/chat/messages/{message}', [ChatController::class, 'destroy'])->name('chat.messages.destroy');
 });
 
+// Global Chat Messages List (Public Read)
+Route::middleware('throttle:60,1')->get('/api/chat/messages', [ChatController::class, 'index'])->name('chat.messages.index');
+
 Route::prefix('admin')
     ->middleware(['throttle:45,1', 'auth', 'verified', 'permission:view admin'])
     ->name('admin.')
@@ -66,6 +73,7 @@
 
     Route::get('/blogs', [BlogController::class, 'index']);
     Route::get('/blogs/{blog}', [BlogController::class, 'show']);
+    Route::get('/chat', [ChatController::class, 'index'])->name('chat.index');
     Route::get('/u/{username}', [UserProfileController::class, 'show'])->name('user.profile');
 
     Route::get('/', [SubjectController::class, 'index'])