[Feature Request] Freshchat support

[coliff]

What problem would this feature solve?

Adding Freshdesk's Freshchat (https://www.freshworks.com/live-chat-software/) widget to a webpage adds a huge amount of additional JavaScript.

Describe the solution you’d like to see

I'd like to see react-live-chat-loader add support for Freshchat

[benschwarz]

Hey @coliff 🙋‍♂️

We generally don't add support for services we're not using ourselves, but if you'd like to take a shot at writing the implementation, we'd be happy to coach you through and get it merged.

If that's something you'd like to try, I'd recommend checking the README, where you'll find instructions for how to add a provider.

If you run into any snags along the way be sure to let us know.

[brandoncroberts]

Hello,
@coliff @benschwarz
I'm working on improving the performance and Core Web Vitals of some of our apps, and also see that Freshdesk chat is adding a huge amount of Javascript and effecting Lighthouse scores.
I would be interested in working with you all on this too if I can help.

[coliff]

heya @plusplushq and @benschwarz - sorry I didn't follow up on this... I realised I ideally needed a native JS solution for the Freshchat loader and not a React one so I made one:
https://github.com/coliff/freshdesk-messaging-facade#readme

It's less than 1 KB gzipped - 1/1000th of the size of the Freshdesk JavaScript. Maybe you might find it helpful. If you do work on integrating Freshdesk into the React Live Chat Loader though that could be great - and I might be able to help with any testing.

[benschwarz]

Awesome @coliff 😄

I don't have the bandwidth to add Freshchat to react-live-chat-loader, but if there's someone out there who can help with that, we'll gladly review a PR!

[motiko]

Hey @coliff
If you are still interested in this I might help

[coliff]

Hiya @motiko - I don't use React so instead of working on integrating Freshdesk Messaging with react-live-chat-loader I created a simple standalone instead: https://github.com/coliff/freshdesk-messaging-facade/.

For the icon I used the same one that they use and set it as an SVG background image.

[motiko]

Nice implementation. In that case I would only pick it up if there is some interest. I see few stale PRs is this still actively maintained?

[coliff]

Yes, it's still actively maintained - CHANGELOG looks busy :-)
https://github.com/calibreapp/react-live-chat-loader/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md