What is a real-time chat API for video conferencing?

A real-time chat API for video conferencing is a programmable interface that enables developers to embed text-based messaging alongside video calls. It provides WebSocket-based message delivery, file sharing, emoji reactions, threaded replies, and message persistence so participants can communicate via text during and after video meetings. V100's chat API integrates natively with its video conferencing infrastructure.

Are chat messages persisted after the meeting ends?

Yes. V100 persists all chat messages, files, and reactions for the lifetime of the meeting record. Messages are stored encrypted at rest using AES-256-GCM. Chat history can be retrieved via the REST API, exported as JSON, CSV, or PDF, and is included in meeting recordings when enabled.

Does V100 chat support file sharing?

Yes. Participants can share files up to 100MB directly in the meeting chat. V100 generates previews for images, PDFs, and common document formats. Files are stored in encrypted S3 storage and delivered via CloudFront CDN with signed URLs that expire after the configured retention period.

REAL-TIME MESSAGING

Real-Time Chat API for
Video Conferencing

A real-time chat API for video conferencing is a programmable interface that enables WebSocket-based in-meeting messaging alongside live video calls. V100's chat API provides instant message delivery, file sharing with preview generation, emoji reactions, threaded replies, message persistence with full-text search, and exportable chat history in JSON, CSV, or PDF format -- giving your video application the complete text communication layer that participants expect from modern conferencing tools.

Get API Key View Integration Guide

WebSocket real-time delivery

File sharing up to 100MB

AES-256-GCM message encryption

Why In-Meeting Chat Matters

Text chat during video calls is not optional -- it is how participants share links, ask questions without interrupting the speaker, coordinate privately, and create a searchable record of the conversation. A video conferencing platform without chat feels incomplete.

Share Without Interrupting

Participants share URLs, code snippets, reference materials, and documents in the chat while a presenter is speaking. This parallel communication channel increases meeting productivity by allowing information exchange without disrupting the audio flow.

Searchable Meeting Record

Chat history provides a text-searchable record of everything shared during the meeting. Unlike audio recordings that require transcription and scanning, chat messages are immediately searchable, making it easy to find that link or decision point weeks later.

Large Meeting Participation

In meetings with 20+ participants, not everyone can speak. Chat provides a low-friction way for attendees to ask questions, vote on decisions, and provide feedback. Threaded replies keep conversations organized even in high-volume chat environments.

Chat API Features

V100's chat API covers every messaging feature expected in modern video conferencing, from basic text delivery to advanced features like threaded conversations and exportable history.

WebSocket Real-Time Delivery

Messages are delivered via persistent WebSocket connections with sub-50ms latency. The WebSocket protocol eliminates HTTP polling overhead and provides instant delivery with automatic reconnection on network interruptions. Presence indicators show who is online in real time.

Sub-50ms message delivery

Automatic reconnection with message replay

Typing indicators and read receipts

File Sharing with Preview

Share files up to 100MB directly in the meeting chat. V100 generates thumbnail previews for images, PDFs, and common document formats. Files are uploaded to encrypted S3 storage and delivered via CloudFront CDN with time-limited signed URLs.

100MB file size limit per upload

Image, PDF, and document previews

AES-256-GCM encrypted storage

Reactions and Emojis

Participants can react to individual messages with emoji reactions. Reactions provide lightweight feedback without adding noise to the chat stream. Custom emoji sets can be configured per organization, and reaction counts are aggregated in real time.

Per-message emoji reactions

Real-time reaction count aggregation

Custom emoji set support

Threaded Replies

Keep conversations organized with threaded replies. When participants reply to a specific message, the reply is nested under the original, creating focused sub-conversations that do not clutter the main chat stream. Each thread can be expanded or collapsed independently.

Nested reply threading

Thread notification preferences

Expand/collapse thread controls

Message Persistence and Search

All chat messages are persisted for the lifetime of the meeting record. The REST API provides full-text search across chat history, enabling participants to find messages, files, and decisions after the meeting ends. Pagination and filtering by sender, date, or content type are supported.

Full-text search across messages

Filter by sender, date, type

Configurable retention policies

Chat History Export

Export complete chat history in JSON, CSV, or formatted PDF. Exports include messages, files, reactions, threads, and timestamps. Useful for compliance archival, meeting minutes generation, and integration with external document management systems.

JSON, CSV, and PDF export formats

Includes files, reactions, and threads

Webhook notification on export ready

Integration Guide

Add real-time chat to your video conferencing application using V100's WebSocket API. Messages, files, reactions, and threads all flow through the same connection.

1

Connect WebSocket

Initialize the V100 SDK with your meeting token. The SDK automatically establishes a WebSocket connection and handles reconnection.

2

Send and Receive

Send messages, share files, and add reactions. Listen for incoming events to render chat UI in real time.

3

Export History

After the meeting, export chat history via the REST API. Messages, files, and threads are persisted automatically.

meeting-chat.js

// npm install v100-sdk
import { V100 } from 'v100-sdk';

const v100 = new V100('YOUR_API_KEY');

// Join a meeting and connect to chat
const meeting = await v100.meetings.join('mtg_abc123');
const chat = meeting.chat;

// Send a text message
await chat.send({
  text: 'Here is the design doc link',
  channel: 'main'             // 'main', 'private', or user ID for DM
});

// Share a file
await chat.sendFile({
  file: fileBlob,
  name: 'architecture.pdf',
  message: 'Updated architecture diagram'
});

// React to a message
await chat.react('msg_xyz789', 'thumbsup');

// Reply in a thread
await chat.reply({
  parentId: 'msg_xyz789',
  text: 'Looks good, approved.'
});

// Listen for incoming messages
chat.on('message', (msg) => {
  console.log(`${msg.sender.name}: ${msg.text}`);
});

chat.on('reaction', (reaction) => {
  console.log(`${reaction.emoji} on ${reaction.messageId}`);
});

// Export chat history after meeting
const exportUrl = await v100.meetings.exportChat({
  meetingId: 'mtg_abc123',
  format: 'pdf'              // 'json', 'csv', or 'pdf'
});

Or retrieve chat history via the REST API:

terminal

curl -X GET https://api.v100.ai/v1/meetings/mtg_abc123/chat \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -G -d "limit=50&offset=0&search=architecture"

Use Cases

V100's real-time chat API enhances any video conferencing integration with robust text communication, from small team standups to large-scale webinars.

Webinars and Q&A

Attendees submit questions via chat. Moderators use reactions to surface popular questions. Threaded replies keep the Q&A organized while the main chat stays clean for general discussion.

Telehealth Sessions

Patients share documents, insurance cards, and photos via encrypted file sharing. Chat history is persisted as part of the HIPAA-compliant session record and exportable for medical documentation.

Virtual Classrooms

Students ask questions and share work via chat without unmuting. Instructors use reactions for quick polls. Chat export creates a study resource that students can review after class.

Pricing

Real-time chat is included with V100 video conferencing at no additional per-message cost. File storage is billed based on usage. Chat history export is included on all plans.

Free Tier

$0/mo

Chat included with free video.

Unlimited messages

File sharing (1GB storage)

Reactions and threads

JSON export

RECOMMENDED

Pro

Usage-based

Production chat at scale.

Unlimited messages

$0.023/GB file storage

JSON, CSV, PDF export

E2E encryption option

Enterprise

Custom

Dedicated infrastructure, compliance.

Volume discounts

Custom retention policies

Data residency options

Priority support

Real-Time Chat API for
Video Conferencing

Why In-Meeting Chat Matters

Share Without Interrupting

Searchable Meeting Record

Large Meeting Participation

Chat API Features

WebSocket Real-Time Delivery

File Sharing with Preview

Reactions and Emojis

Threaded Replies

Message Persistence and Search

Chat History Export

Integration Guide

Connect WebSocket

Send and Receive

Export History

Use Cases

Webinars and Q&A

Telehealth Sessions

Virtual Classrooms

Pricing

Add Real-Time Chat to Your Video App Today

Related Resources

HIPAA-Compliant Video API

Meeting Recording API

AI Meeting Notes

Real-Time Chat API forVideo Conferencing

Why In-Meeting Chat Matters

Share Without Interrupting

Searchable Meeting Record

Large Meeting Participation

Chat API Features

WebSocket Real-Time Delivery

File Sharing with Preview

Reactions and Emojis

Threaded Replies

Message Persistence and Search

Chat History Export

Integration Guide

Connect WebSocket

Send and Receive

Export History

Use Cases

Webinars and Q&A

Telehealth Sessions

Virtual Classrooms

Pricing

Add Real-Time Chat to Your Video App Today

Related Resources

HIPAA-Compliant Video API

Meeting Recording API

AI Meeting Notes

Real-Time Chat API for
Video Conferencing