Zoom Video SDK - Web Development

Expert guidance for developing with the Zoom Video SDK on Web. This SDK enables custom video applications in the browser with real-time video/audio, screen sharing, cloud recording, live streaming, chat, and live transcription.

This skill is for custom video sessions, not embedded Zoom meetings. If the user wants a custom UI for a real Zoom meeting, route to ../../meeting-sdk/web/component-view/SKILL.md.

Official Documentation: https://developers.zoom.us/docs/video-sdk/web/ API Reference: https://marketplacefront.zoom.us/sdk/custom/web/modules.html Sample Repository: https://github.com/zoom/videosdk-web-sample

Quick Links

New to Video SDK? Follow this path:

1. SDK Architecture Pattern - Universal 3-step pattern for ANY feature
2. Session Join Pattern - Complete working code to join a session
3. Video Rendering - Display video with attachVideo()
4. Event Handling - Required events for video/audio

Reference:

• Singleton Hierarchy - 4-level SDK navigation map
• API Reference - Methods, events, error codes
• SKILL.md - Complete documentation navigation
• ../../probe-sdk/SKILL.md - Optional browser/device/network readiness diagnostics before join

Having issues?

• Video not showing → Video Rendering (use attachVideo, not renderVideo)
• getMediaStream() returns undefined → Call AFTER join() completes
• Quick diagnostics → Common Issues

SDK Overview

The Zoom Video SDK for Web is a JavaScript library that provides:

• Session Management: Join/leave video SDK sessions
• Video/Audio: Start/stop camera and microphone
• Screen Sharing: Share screens or browser tabs
• Cloud Recording: Record sessions to Zoom cloud
• Live Streaming: Stream to RTMP endpoints
• Chat: In-session messaging
• Command Channel: Custom command messaging
• Live Transcription: Real-time speech-to-text
• Subsessions: Breakout room support
• Whiteboard: Collaborative whiteboard features
• Virtual Background: Blur or custom image backgrounds

Prerequisites

System Requirements

• Modern Browser: Chrome 80+, Firefox 75+, Safari 14+, Edge 80+
• Video SDK Credentials: SDK Key and Secret from Marketplace
• JWT Token: Server-side generated signature

Browser Feature Requirements

// Check browser compatibility before init
const compatibility = ZoomVideo.checkSystemRequirements();
console.log('Audio:', compatibility.audio);
console.log('Video:', compatibility.video);
console.log('Screen:', compatibility.screen);

// Check feature support
const features = ZoomVideo.checkFeatureRequirements();
console.log('Supported:', features.supportFeatures);
console.log('Unsupported:', features.unSupportFeatures);

Optional Pre-Join Diagnostics (Recommended for Reliability)

Use Probe SDK as a readiness gate before client.join(...) when you need to reduce failed starts:

1. Run diagnostics with ../../probe-sdk/SKILL.md.
2. Evaluate policy (allow, warn, block).
3. Start Video SDK join only when policy allows.

Cross-skill flow: ../../general/use-cases/probe-sdk-preflight-readiness-gate.md

Installation

NPM (Recommended)

npm install @zoom/videosdk

import ZoomVideo from '@zoom/videosdk';

CDN (Fallback Strategy Recommended)

Note: Some networks/ad blockers can block source.zoom.us. If you see flaky loads, first try allowlisting the domain in your environment. If needed, consider a fallback (mirror/self-host) only if it's permitted for your use case and you can keep versions in sync.

# Download SDK locally
curl "https://source.zoom.us/videosdk/zoom-video-2.3.12.min.js" -o public/js/zoom-video-sdk.min.js

<!-- Use local copy instead of CDN -->
<script src="js/zoom-video-sdk.min.js"></script>

// CDN exports as WebVideoSDK, NOT ZoomVideo
const ZoomVideo = WebVideoSDK.default;

Quick Start

import ZoomVideo from '@zoom/videosdk';

// 1. Create client (singleton - returns same instance)
const client = ZoomVideo.createClient();

// 2. Initialize SDK
await client.init('en-US', 'Global', { patchJsMedia: true });

// 3. Join session
await client.join(topic, signature, userName, password);

// 4. CRITICAL: Get stream AFTER join
const stream = client.getMediaStream();

// 5. Start media
await stream.startVideo();
await stream.startAudio();

// 6. Attach video to DOM
const videoElement = await stream.attachVideo(userId, VideoQuality.Video_360P);
document.getElementById('video-container').appendChild(videoElement);

SDK Lifecycle (CRITICAL ORDER)

The SDK has a strict lifecycle. Violating it causes silent failures.

1. Create client:     client = ZoomVideo.createClient()
2. Initialize:        await client.init('en-US', 'Global', options)
3. Join session:      await client.join(topic, signature, userName, password)
4. Get stream:        stream = client.getMediaStream()  ← ONLY AFTER JOIN
5. Start media:       await stream.startVideo() / await stream.startAudio()

Common Mistake:

// WRONG: Getting stream before joining
const stream = client.getMediaStream();  // Returns undefined!
await client.join(...);

// CORRECT: Get stream after joining
await client.join(...);
const stream = client.getMediaStream();  // Works!

Critical Gotchas and Best Practices

getMediaStream() ONLY Works After join()

The #1 issue that causes video/audio to fail:

// WRONG
const stream = client.getMediaStream();  // undefined!
await client.join(...);

// CORRECT
await client.join(...);
const stream = client.getMediaStream();  // Works

Use attachVideo() NOT renderVideo()

renderVideo() is deprecated. Use attachVideo() which returns a VideoPlayer element:

import { VideoQuality } from '@zoom/videosdk';

// CORRECT: attachVideo returns element to append
const videoElement = await stream.attachVideo(userId, VideoQuality.Video_360P);
document.getElementById('video-container').appendChild(videoElement);

// WRONG: renderVideo is deprecated
await stream.renderVideo(canvas, userId, ...);  // Don't use!

Video Rendering is Event-Driven (CRITICAL)

You MUST listen for events to properly render participant videos:

// When another participant's video state changes
client.on('peer-video-state-change', async (payload) => {
  const { action, userId } = payload;
  
  if (action === 'Start') {
    // Participant turned on video - attach it
    const element = await stream.attachVideo(userId, VideoQuality.Video_360P);
    container.appendChild(element);
  } else if (action === 'Stop') {
    // Participant turned off video - detach it
    await stream.detachVideo(userId);
  }
});

// When participants join/leave
client.on('user-added', (payload) => {
  // New participant joined - check if their video is on
  const users = client.getAllUser();
  // Render videos for users with bVideoOn === true
});

client.on('user-removed', (payload) => {
  // Participant left - clean up their video element
  stream.detachVideo(payload[0].userId);
});

Peer Video on Mid-Session Join

Existing participants' videos won't auto-render when you join mid-session.

// After joining, render existing participants' videos
const renderExistingVideos = async () => {
  await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 500));
  
  const users = client.getAllUser();
  const currentUserId = client.getCurrentUserInfo().userId;
  
  for (const user of users) {
    if (user.bVideoOn && user.userId !== currentUserId) {
      const element = await stream.attachVideo(user.userId, VideoQuality.Video_360P);
      document.getElementById(`video-${user.userId}`).appendChild(element);
    }
  }
};

CDN Race Condition with ES Modules

When using <script type="module"> with CDN, the SDK may not be loaded yet:

function waitForSDK(timeout = 10000) {
  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
    if (typeof WebVideoSDK !== 'undefined') {
      resolve();
      return;
    }
    const start = Date.now();
    const check = setInterval(() => {
      if (typeof WebVideoSDK !== 'undefined') {
        clearInterval(check);
        resolve();
      } else if (Date.now() - start > timeout) {
        clearInterval(check);
        reject(new Error('SDK failed to load'));
      }
    }, 100);
  });
}

await waitForSDK();
const ZoomVideo = WebVideoSDK.default;

SharedArrayBuffer for HD Video

For optimal performance and HD video, configure these headers on your server:

Cross-Origin-Opener-Policy: same-origin
Cross-Origin-Embedder-Policy: require-corp

Note: As of v1.11.2, SharedArrayBuffer is elective (not strictly required).

Check HD Capability Before Enabling

const stream = client.getMediaStream();

// Check if 720p is supported
const hdSupported = stream.isSupportHDVideo();

// Get maximum video quality
const maxQuality = stream.getVideoMaxQuality();
// 0=90P, 1=180P, 2=360P, 3=720P, 4=1080P

// Start video with HD
if (hdSupported) {
  await stream.startVideo({ hd: true });
}

Screen Share Rendering Mode Check

const stream = client.getMediaStream();

// Check which element type to use
if (stream.isStartShareScreenWithVideoElement()) {
  // Use video element
  const video = document.getElementById('share-video');
  await stream.startShareScreen(video as unknown as HTMLCanvasElement);
} else {
  // Use canvas element
  const canvas = document.getElementById('share-canvas');
  await stream.startShareScreen(canvas);
}

Key Features

Video Quality Enum

import { VideoQuality } from '@zoom/videosdk';

VideoQuality.Video_90P   // 0
VideoQuality.Video_180P  // 1
VideoQuality.Video_360P  // 2 (recommended for most cases)
VideoQuality.Video_720P  // 3
VideoQuality.Video_1080P // 4

Virtual Backgrounds

const stream = client.getMediaStream();

// Always check support first
if (stream.isSupportVirtualBackground()) {
  // Blur background
  await stream.updateVirtualBackgroundImage('blur');
  
  // Custom image background
  await stream.updateVirtualBackgroundImage('https://example.com/bg.jpg');
  
  // Remove virtual background
  await stream.updateVirtualBackgroundImage(undefined);
}

Video Processor (Custom Effects)

The VideoProcessor class allows you to intercept and modify video frames:

// video-processor-worker.js
class MyVideoProcessor extends VideoProcessor {
  processFrame(input, output) {
    const ctx = output.getContext('2d');
    ctx.drawImage(input, 0, 0);
    
    // Add overlay
    ctx.fillStyle = 'white';
    ctx.font = '24px Arial';
    ctx.fillText('Live', 20, 40);
    
    return true;
  }
}

WebRTC Mode

Enable WebRTC mode for direct peer-to-peer streaming with HD video support:

await client.init('en-US', 'Global', {
  patchJsMedia: true,
  webrtc: true  // Enable WebRTC mode
});

Feature Clients

Access specialized clients from the VideoClient:

Common Tasks

Start/Stop Video

await stream.startVideo();
await stream.stopVideo();

Start/Stop Audio

await stream.startAudio();
await stream.muteAudio();
await stream.unmuteAudio();
await stream.stopAudio();

Switch Devices

// Get available devices
const cameras = stream.getCameraList();
const mics = stream.getMicList();
const speakers = stream.getSpeakerList();

// Switch devices
await stream.switchCamera(cameraId);
await stream.switchMicrophone(micId);
await stream.switchSpeaker(speakerId);

Screen Sharing

// Start sharing
await stream.startShareScreen(canvas);

// Stop sharing
await stream.stopShareScreen();

// Receive share
client.on('active-share-change', async (payload) => {
  if (payload.state === 'Active') {
    await stream.startShareView(canvas, payload.userId);
  } else {
    await stream.stopShareView();
  }
});

Chat

const chatClient = client.getChatClient();

// Send to everyone
await chatClient.send('Hello, everyone!');

// Send to specific user
await chatClient.sendToUser(userId, 'Private message');

// Receive messages
client.on('chat-on-message', (payload) => {
  console.log(`${payload.sender.name}: ${payload.message}`);
});

Recording (Host Only)

const recordingClient = client.getRecordingClient();

await recordingClient.startCloudRecording();
await recordingClient.stopCloudRecording();

client.on('recording-change', (payload) => {
  console.log('Recording status:', payload.state);
});

Leave/End Session

// Leave session (others stay)
await client.leave();

// End session for ALL participants (host only)
await client.leave(true);

Error Handling

Common Join Errors

Example Error Handler

try {
  await client.join(topic, signature, userName, password);
} catch (error) {
  if (error.reason?.includes('signature')) {
    // Regenerate signature and retry
  } else if (error.reason?.includes('Session')) {
    // Show "Waiting for host..." and poll
  } else if (error.reason?.includes('Permission')) {
    // Guide user to enable permissions
  }
  console.error('Join failed:', error);
}

Browser Compatibility

Safari Notes:

• Virtual background not supported
• Screen sharing requires macOS 15+

CORS Errors (Telemetry)

CORS errors to log-external-gateway.zoom.us are harmless.

These are caused by COOP/COEP headers blocking telemetry requests. They don't affect SDK functionality.

Complete Documentation Library

Core Concepts

• SDK Architecture Pattern - Universal 3-step pattern for ANY feature
• Singleton Hierarchy - 4-level navigation guide

Complete Examples

• Session Join Pattern - JWT auth + session join with full code
• Video Rendering - attachVideo() patterns
• Screen Share - Send and receive screen shares
• Event Handling - Required events
• Chat - In-session messaging
• Recording - Cloud recording control
• Transcription - Live captions

Framework Integrations

• React Hooks - Official @zoom/videosdk-react library
• Framework Integrations - Next.js, Vue/Nuxt patterns

Troubleshooting

• Common Issues - Quick diagnostics & error codes

References

• API Reference - Complete method signatures
• Events Reference - All event types
• SKILL.md - Complete navigation guide

Official Sample Repositories

Resources

• Official Docs: https://developers.zoom.us/docs/video-sdk/web/
• API Reference: https://marketplacefront.zoom.us/sdk/custom/web/modules.html
• Dev Forum: https://devforum.zoom.us/
• GitHub Samples: https://github.com/zoom/videosdk-web-sample

Need help? Start with SKILL.md for complete navigation.

Merged from video-sdk/web/SKILL.md

Zoom Video SDK Web - Complete Documentation Index

Quick Start Path

If you're new to the SDK, follow this order:

1. Read the architecture pattern → concepts/sdk-architecture-pattern.md

   • Universal formula: Create Client → Init → Join → Get Stream → Use
   • Once you understand this, you can implement any feature

2. Implement session join → examples/session-join-pattern.md

   • Complete working JWT + session join code

3. Listen to events → examples/event-handling.md

   • CRITICAL: The SDK is event-driven, you must listen for events

4. Implement video → examples/video-rendering.md

   • Use attachVideo(), NOT renderVideo()

5. Troubleshoot any issues → troubleshooting/common-issues.md

   • Quick diagnostic checklist
   • Error code tables

Documentation Structure

video-sdk/web/
├── SKILL.md                           # Main skill overview
├── SKILL.md                           # This file - navigation guide
│
├── concepts/                          # Core architectural patterns
│   ├── sdk-architecture-pattern.md   # Universal formula for ANY feature
│   └── singleton-hierarchy.md        # 4-level navigation guide
│
├── examples/                          # Complete working code
│   ├── session-join-pattern.md       # JWT auth + session join
│   ├── video-rendering.md            # attachVideo() patterns
│   ├── screen-share.md               # Send and receive screen shares
│   ├── event-handling.md             # Required events
│   ├── chat.md                       # Chat implementation
│   ├── command-channel.md            # Command channel messaging
│   ├── recording.md                  # Cloud recording control
│   ├── transcription.md              # Live transcription/captions
│   ├── react-hooks.md                # Official @zoom/videosdk-react library
│   └── framework-integrations.md     # Next.js, Vue/Nuxt, ZFG patterns
│
├── troubleshooting/                   # Problem solving guides
│   └── common-issues.md              # Quick diagnostic workflow
│
└── references/                        # Reference documentation
    ├── web-reference.md              # API hierarchy, methods, error codes
    └── events-reference.md           # All event types

By Use Case

I want to build a video app

1. SDK Architecture Pattern - Understand the pattern
2. Session Join Pattern - Join sessions
3. Video Rendering - Display video
4. Event Handling - Listen for video events

I'm getting runtime errors

1. Common Issues - Error code tables
2. "getMediaStream() is undefined" → Call AFTER join() completes

I want to receive screen shares

1. Screen Share - startShareView() patterns
2. Event Handling - active-share-change event

I want to send screen shares

1. Screen Share - startShareScreen() patterns
2. Check isStartShareScreenWithVideoElement() for element type

I want to use chat

1. Chat - Send/receive messages
2. getChatClient() for ChatClient access

I want to record sessions

1. Recording - Cloud recording (host only)
2. getRecordingClient() for RecordingClient access

I want to use live transcription

1. Transcription - Enable live captions
2. getLiveTranscriptionClient() for LiveTranscriptionClient access

I want to use command channel

1. Command Channel - Custom signaling between participants
2. Must call getCommandClient() AFTER join()

I want to implement a specific feature

1. SDK Architecture Pattern - START HERE!
2. Singleton Hierarchy - Navigate to the feature
3. API Reference - Method signatures

I'm using React

1. React Hooks - Official @zoom/videosdk-react library
2. Provides hooks: useSession, useSessionUsers, useVideoState, useAudioState
3. Pre-built components: VideoPlayerComponent, ScreenSharePlayerComponent

I'm using Next.js or Vue/Nuxt

1. Framework Integrations - SSR considerations
2. Server-side JWT generation patterns
3. Client-side only SDK usage

Most Critical Documents

1. SDK Architecture Pattern (MASTER DOCUMENT)

concepts/sdk-architecture-pattern.md

The universal 5-step pattern:

1. Create client
2. Initialize SDK
3. Join session
4. Get stream
5. Use features + listen to events

2. Common Issues (MOST COMMON PROBLEMS)

troubleshooting/common-issues.md

Common issues:

• getMediaStream() returns undefined
• Video not displaying
• renderVideo() deprecated

3. Singleton Hierarchy (NAVIGATION MAP)

concepts/singleton-hierarchy.md

4-level deep navigation showing how to reach every feature.

Key Learnings

Critical Discoveries:

1. getMediaStream() ONLY works after join()

   • The stream object is not available until session is joined
   • See: SDK Architecture Pattern

2. Use attachVideo() NOT renderVideo()

   • renderVideo() is deprecated
   • attachVideo() returns a VideoPlayer element to append to DOM
   • See: Video Rendering

3. The SDK is Event-Driven

   • You MUST listen for events to render participant videos
   • key events: peer-video-state-change, user-added, user-removed
   • See: Event Handling

4. Peer Videos on Mid-Session Join

   • Existing participants' videos won't auto-render
   • Must manually iterate getAllUser() and attachVideo()
   • See: Video Rendering

5. CDN vs NPM

   • CDN exports as WebVideoSDK.default, not ZoomVideo
   • Some networks/ad blockers may block source.zoom.us - allowlist or use a permitted fallback strategy
   • See: Session Join Pattern

6. SharedArrayBuffer for HD

   • Required for 720p/1080p video
   • Need COOP/COEP headers on server
   • Check with stream.isSupportHDVideo()

7. Screen Share Element Type

   • Check isStartShareScreenWithVideoElement() for correct element type
   • See: Screen Share

8. Command Channel Setup Order

   • Must call getCommandClient() AFTER client.join()
   • Register listeners AFTER join, not before
   • Web uses getCommandClient() not getCmdChannel()
   • See: Command Channel

9. Command Channel is Session-Scoped

   • Does NOT span across different sessions
   • Both sender and receiver must be in the same session

Quick Reference

"getMediaStream() returns undefined"

→ Call AFTER join() completes

"Video not showing"

→ Video Rendering - Use attachVideo(), check events

"renderVideo() doesn't work"

→ Video Rendering - Use attachVideo() instead

"How do I implement [feature]?"

→ SDK Architecture Pattern

"How do I navigate to [client]?"

→ Singleton Hierarchy

"What error code means what?"

→ Common Issues

Document Version

Based on Zoom Video SDK for Web v2.3.x

Happy coding!

Remember: The SDK Architecture Pattern is your key to unlocking the entire SDK. Read it first!

Operations

• RUNBOOK.md - 5-minute preflight and debugging checklist.