Zoom Apps SDK

Zoom Apps SDK

Background reference for web apps that run inside the Zoom client. Prefer choose-zoom-approach first, then route here for Layers API, Collaborate Mode, in-client OAuth, and runtime constraints.

Zoom Apps SDK

Build web apps that run inside the Zoom client - meetings, webinars, main client, and Zoom Phone.

Official Documentation: https://developers.zoom.us/docs/zoom-apps/ SDK Reference: https://appssdk.zoom.us/ NPM Package: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@zoom/appssdk

Quick Links

New to Zoom Apps? Follow this path:

1. [Architecture](concepts/architecture.md) - Frontend/backend pattern, embedded browser, deep linking
2. [Quick Start](examples/quick-start.md) - Complete working Express + SDK app
3. [Running Contexts](concepts/running-contexts.md) - Where your app runs (inMeeting, inMainClient, etc.)
4. [Zoom Apps vs Meeting SDK](concepts/meeting-sdk-vs-zoom-apps.md) - Stop mixing app types
5. [In-Client OAuth](examples/in-client-oauth.md) - Seamless authorization with PKCE
6. [API Reference](references/apis.md) - 100+ SDK methods
7. Integrated Index - see the section below in this file
8. [5-Minute Runbook](RUNBOOK.md) - Preflight checks before deep debugging

Reference:

• [API Reference](references/apis.md) - All SDK methods by category
• [Events Reference](references/events.md) - All SDK event listeners
• [Layers API](references/layers-api.md) - Immersive and camera mode rendering
• [OAuth Reference](references/oauth.md) - OAuth flows for Zoom Apps
• [Zoom Mail](references/zmail-sdk.md) - Mail plugin integration

Having issues?

• App won't load in Zoom → Check Domain Allowlist below
• SDK errors → Common Issues
• Local dev setup → Debugging Guide
• Version upgrade → Migration Guide
• Forum-derived FAQs → Forum Top Questions

Building immersive experiences?

• Layers Immersive Mode - Custom video layouts
• Camera Mode - Virtual camera overlays

Need help with OAuth? See the [zoom-oauth](../oauth/SKILL.md) skill for authentication flows.

SDK Overview

The Zoom Apps SDK (@zoom/appssdk) provides JavaScript APIs for web apps running in Zoom's embedded browser:

• Context APIs - Get meeting, user, and participant info
• Meeting Actions - Share app, invite participants, open URLs
• Authorization - In-Client OAuth with PKCE (no browser redirect)
• Layers API - Immersive video layouts and camera mode overlays
• Collaborate Mode - Shared app state across participants
• App Communication - Message passing between app instances (main client <-> meeting)
• Media Controls - Virtual backgrounds, camera listing, recording control
• UI Controls - Expand app, notifications, popout
• Events - React to meeting state, participants, sharing, and more

Prerequisites

• Zoom app configured as "Zoom App" type in Marketplace
• OAuth credentials (Client ID + Secret) with Zoom Apps scopes
• Web application (Node.js + Express recommended)
• Your domain whitelisted in Marketplace domain allowlist
• ngrok or HTTPS tunnel for local development
• Node.js 18+ (for the backend server)

Quick Start

Option A: NPM (Recommended for frameworks)

npm install @zoom/appssdk

import zoomSdk from '@zoom/appssdk';

async function init() {
  try {
    const configResponse = await zoomSdk.config({
      capabilities: [
        'shareApp',
        'getMeetingContext',
        'getUserContext',
        'openUrl'
      ],
      version: '0.16'
    });

    console.log('Running context:', configResponse.runningContext);
    // 'inMeeting' | 'inMainClient' | 'inWebinar' | 'inImmersive' | ...

    const context = await zoomSdk.getMeetingContext();
    console.log('Meeting ID:', context.meetingID);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Not running inside Zoom:', error.message);
    showDemoMode();
  }
}

Option B: CDN (Vanilla JS)

<script src="https://appssdk.zoom.us/sdk.js"></script>

<script>
// CRITICAL: Do NOT declare "let zoomSdk" - the SDK defines window.zoomSdk globally
// Using "let zoomSdk = ..." causes: SyntaxError: redeclaration of non-configurable global property
let sdk = window.zoomSdk;  // Use a different variable name

async function init() {
  try {
    const configResponse = await sdk.config({
      capabilities: ['shareApp', 'getMeetingContext', 'getUserContext'],
      version: '0.16'
    });

    console.log('Running context:', configResponse.runningContext);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Not running inside Zoom:', error.message);
    showDemoMode();
  }
}

function showDemoMode() {
  document.body.innerHTML = '<h1>Preview Mode</h1><p>Open this app inside Zoom to use.</p>';
}

document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
  init();
  setTimeout(() => { if (!sdk) showDemoMode(); }, 3000);
});
</script>

Critical: Global Variable Conflict

The CDN script defines window.zoomSdk globally. Do NOT redeclare it:

// WRONG - causes SyntaxError in Zoom's embedded browser
let zoomSdk = null;
zoomSdk = window.zoomSdk;

// CORRECT - use different variable name
let sdk = window.zoomSdk;

// ALSO CORRECT - NPM import (no conflict)
import zoomSdk from '@zoom/appssdk';

This only applies to the CDN approach. The NPM import creates a module-scoped variable, no conflict.

Browser Preview / Demo Mode

The SDK only functions inside the Zoom client. When accessed in a regular browser:

• window.zoomSdk exists but sdk.config() throws an error
• Always implement try/catch with fallback UI
• Add timeout (3 seconds) in case SDK hangs

URL Whitelisting (Required)

Your app will NOT load in Zoom unless the domain is whitelisted.

1. Go to Zoom Marketplace
2. Open your app -> Feature tab
3. Under Zoom App, find Add Allow List
4. Add your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com for production, xxxxx.ngrok.io for dev)

Without this, the Zoom client shows a blank panel with no error message.

OAuth Scopes (Required)

Capabilities require matching OAuth scopes enabled in Marketplace:

To add scopes: Marketplace -> Your App -> Scopes tab -> Add required scopes.

Missing scopes = capability fails silently or throws error. Users must re-authorize if you add new scopes.

Running Contexts

Your app runs in different surfaces within Zoom. The configResponse.runningContext tells you where:

See [Running Contexts](concepts/running-contexts.md) for context-specific behavior and APIs.

SDK Initialization Pattern

Every Zoom App starts with config():

import zoomSdk from '@zoom/appssdk';

const configResponse = await zoomSdk.config({
  capabilities: [