Join and start voice calls in ordinary (text) rooms #8

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opened 2026-10-04 20:19:43 +00:00 by robocub · 0 comments

robocub commented

2026-10-04 20:19:43 +00:00

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Why

On Discord, voice lives in channels and you just click in. In Commet you can only join a group call in a room that was created as a voice room. Element users routinely start calls in ordinary rooms, so Commet users see the room but cannot join the call happening in it.

What exists

MatrixVoipRoomComponent.isVoipRoom() returns true only when the room's m.room.create content has type: org.matrix.msc3417.call. That type is fixed at creation and can never be added to an existing room.
The component is registered only for those rooms (component_registry.dart, around line 87). room_primary_view.dart then swaps the whole timeline for the call view.
Every other room only gets the legacy 1:1 m.call button, and only in DMs (room_quick_access_menu.dart: canCall requires a direct message).
The MatrixRTC join machinery (memberships, LiveKit, E2EE keys, multi-SFU) is the same for any room; the gate is purely in the client.

Plan

Detect calls anywhere: treat a room as call-capable when it has live org.matrix.msc3401.call.member state, or when the user is allowed to send that state event.
Join an ongoing call: a "Join call (3)" bar above the timeline when other members are in the call, showing who is in it.
Start a call: a "Start voice call" quick-access entry in group rooms, not just DMs.
Layout: keep the timeline in text rooms. Show the call as a collapsible panel or bar instead of replacing the room view, the way Discord's text-channel calls feel. Dedicated voice rooms keep today's full call view.
Permissions: in a normal room org.matrix.msc3401.call.member defaults to power level 50, so ordinary members can't join. Detect that and show "Calls aren't enabled in this room" with a one-tap fix for admins (set that event's power level to 0). Without this, joins fail with an unhelpful 403.
Widgets: the code hides widgets in voice rooms because MatrixRTC widgets interfere with an ongoing call. Keep that rule while a call is active in a text room.

Acceptance

An Element user starts a call in an ordinary room; a fork user sees "Join call", joins, and both hear each other, encrypted and unencrypted.
A fork user starts a call in an ordinary group room and an Element user can join it.
In a room where members lack the power level, the button explains why instead of failing.

Filed with LLM assistance. This is a fork-only issue; never refile it on Commet's tracker.

## Why On Discord, voice lives in channels and you just click in. In Commet you can only join a group call in a room that was *created* as a voice room. Element users routinely start calls in ordinary rooms, so Commet users see the room but cannot join the call happening in it. ## What exists - `MatrixVoipRoomComponent.isVoipRoom()` returns true only when the room's `m.room.create` content has `type: org.matrix.msc3417.call`. That type is fixed at creation and can never be added to an existing room. - The component is registered only for those rooms (`component_registry.dart`, around line 87). `room_primary_view.dart` then swaps the whole timeline for the call view. - Every other room only gets the legacy 1:1 `m.call` button, and only in DMs (`room_quick_access_menu.dart`: `canCall` requires a direct message). - The MatrixRTC join machinery (memberships, LiveKit, E2EE keys, multi-SFU) is the same for any room; the gate is purely in the client. ## Plan 1. **Detect calls anywhere:** treat a room as call-capable when it has live `org.matrix.msc3401.call.member` state, or when the user is allowed to send that state event. 2. **Join an ongoing call:** a "Join call (3)" bar above the timeline when other members are in the call, showing who is in it. 3. **Start a call:** a "Start voice call" quick-access entry in group rooms, not just DMs. 4. **Layout:** keep the timeline in text rooms. Show the call as a collapsible panel or bar instead of replacing the room view, the way Discord's text-channel calls feel. Dedicated voice rooms keep today's full call view. 5. **Permissions:** in a normal room `org.matrix.msc3401.call.member` defaults to power level 50, so ordinary members can't join. Detect that and show "Calls aren't enabled in this room" with a one-tap fix for admins (set that event's power level to 0). Without this, joins fail with an unhelpful 403. 6. **Widgets:** the code hides widgets in voice rooms because MatrixRTC widgets interfere with an ongoing call. Keep that rule while a call is active in a text room. ## Acceptance - An Element user starts a call in an ordinary room; a fork user sees "Join call", joins, and both hear each other, encrypted and unencrypted. - A fork user starts a call in an ordinary group room and an Element user can join it. - In a room where members lack the power level, the button explains why instead of failing. --- _Filed with LLM assistance. This is a fork-only issue; never refile it on Commet's tracker._

robocub added the

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2026-10-04 20:19:43 +00:00