← Cloudflare Realtime / realtime / realtimekit / core

Waiting Room

The waiting room feature allows hosts to control who can join a meeting. When enabled, participants must wait for approval before entering the meeting.

How the Waiting Room Works

After you call meeting.join(), one of two events will occur:

roomJoined - You are allowed to join the meeting immediately
waitlisted - You are placed in the waiting room and must wait for host approval

Use meeting.self.roomState to track the user's state in the meeting.

Waiting Room States

State Flow

        join()
          ↓
    [waitlisted]  ←------ (host rejects)
          ↓                     ↓
   (host accepts)           [rejected]
          ↓
      [joined]

Listening to State Changes

Joined Event

Triggered when the local user successfully joins the meeting.

Monitor when the local user joins the meeting:

import { useRealtimeKitSelector } from "@cloudflare/realtimekit-react";
import { useEffect } from "react";

function MeetingStatus() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);
	const joined = roomState === "joined";

	useEffect(() => {
		if (joined) {
			console.log("Successfully joined the meeting");
		}
	}, [joined]);

	return joined ? <div>You are in the meeting</div> : null;
}

Alternatively, use event listeners:

import { useRealtimeKitClient } from "@cloudflare/realtimekit-react";

useEffect(() => {
	if (!meeting) return;

	const handleRoomJoined = () => {
		console.log("Successfully joined the meeting");
	};

	meeting.self.on("roomJoined", handleRoomJoined);

	return () => {
		meeting.self.off("roomJoined", handleRoomJoined);
	};
}, [meeting]);

meeting.self.on("roomJoined", () => {
	// Local user is in the meeting
	console.log("Successfully joined the meeting");
});

meeting.addMeetingRoomEventListener(object : RtkMeetingRoomEventListener {
	override fun onMeetingRoomJoinCompleted(meeting: RealtimeKitClient) {
		// Local user is in the meeting
	}
})

extension MeetingViewModel: RtkMeetingRoomEventListener {
	func onMeetingRoomJoinCompleted(meeting: RealtimeKitClient) {
		// Local user is in the meeting
	}
}

Monitor when the local user joins the meeting:

import { useRealtimeKitSelector } from "@cloudflare/realtimekit-react-native";
import { useEffect } from "react";

function MeetingStatus() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);
	const joined = roomState === "joined";

	useEffect(() => {
		if (joined) {
			console.log("Successfully joined the meeting");
		}
	}, [joined]);

	return joined ? <Text>You are in the meeting</Text> : null;
}

Alternatively, use event listeners:

import { useRealtimeKitClient } from "@cloudflare/realtimekit-react-native";

useEffect(() => {
	if (!meeting) return;

	const handleRoomJoined = () => {
		console.log("Successfully joined the meeting");
	};

	meeting.self.on("roomJoined", handleRoomJoined);

	return () => {
		meeting.self.off("roomJoined", handleRoomJoined);
	};
}, [meeting]);

Waitlisted Event

Triggered when the local user is placed in the waiting room.

Monitor when the local user is in the waiting room:

function WaitingRoomStatus() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);
	const isWaitlisted = roomState === "waitlisted";

	useEffect(() => {
		if (isWaitlisted) {
			console.log("You are in the waiting room");
		}
	}, [isWaitlisted]);

	return isWaitlisted ? <div>Waiting for host approval...</div> : null;
}

Alternatively, use event listeners:

useEffect(() => {
	if (!meeting) return;

	const handleWaitlisted = () => {
		console.log("You are in the waiting room");
	};

	meeting.self.on("waitlisted", handleWaitlisted);

	return () => {
		meeting.self.off("waitlisted", handleWaitlisted);
	};
}, [meeting]);

meeting.self.on("waitlisted", () => {
	// Local user is waitlisted
	console.log("You are in the waiting room. Waiting for host approval...");
});

meeting.addSelfEventListener(object : RtkSelfEventListener {
	override fun onWaitListStatusUpdate(waitListStatus: WaitListStatus) {
		when (waitListStatus) {
			WAITING -> {
				// Local user is in the waiting room
			}
			REJECTED -> {
				// Local user's join room request was rejected by the host
			}
			NONE, ACCEPTED -> {
				// Local user is not in the wait list or was already accepted
			}
		}
	}
})

extension MeetingViewModel: RtkSelfEventListener {
	func onWaitListStatusUpdate(waitListStatus: WaitListStatus) {
		switch waitListStatus {
		case .accepted:
			// Local user's join room request was accepted by the host
		case .waiting:
			// Local user is in the waiting room
		case .rejected:
			// Local user's join room request was rejected by the host
		default:
			return .none
		}
	}
}

Monitor when the local user is in the waiting room:

function WaitingRoomStatus() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);
	const isWaitlisted = roomState === "waitlisted";

	useEffect(() => {
		if (isWaitlisted) {
			console.log("You are in the waiting room");
		}
	}, [isWaitlisted]);

	return isWaitlisted ? <Text>Waiting for host approval...</Text> : null;
}

Alternatively, use event listeners:

useEffect(() => {
	if (!meeting) return;

	const handleWaitlisted = () => {
		console.log("You are in the waiting room");
	};

	meeting.self.on("waitlisted", handleWaitlisted);

	return () => {
		meeting.self.off("waitlisted", handleWaitlisted);
	};
}, [meeting]);

Rejected Event

Triggered when the host rejects the entry request.

Monitor when the host rejects the entry request:

function RejectionStatus() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);
	const rejected = roomState === "rejected";

	useEffect(() => {
		if (rejected) {
			console.log("Your entry request was rejected");
		}
	}, [rejected]);

	return rejected ? <div>Your entry was rejected by the host</div> : null;
}

Alternatively, use event listeners:

useEffect(() => {
	if (!meeting) return;

	const handleRoomLeft = ({ state }) => {
		if (state === "rejected") {
			console.log("Your entry request was rejected");
		}
	};

	meeting.self.on("roomLeft", handleRoomLeft);

	return () => {
		meeting.self.off("roomLeft", handleRoomLeft);
	};
}, [meeting]);

meeting.self.on("roomLeft", ({ state }) => {
	if (state === "rejected") {
		// Host rejected the entry
		console.log("Your entry request was rejected");
	}
});

When the host rejects the entry request, the onWaitListStatusUpdate callback is triggered with WaitListStatus.REJECTED:

meeting.addSelfEventListener(object : RtkSelfEventListener {
	override fun onWaitListStatusUpdate(waitListStatus: WaitListStatus) {
		when (waitListStatus) {
			WaitListStatus.REJECTED -> {
				// Local user's join room request was rejected by the host
				Log.d("WaitingRoom", "Your entry request was rejected")
			}
			WaitListStatus.WAITING -> {
				// Local user is in the waiting room
			}
			WaitListStatus.ACCEPTED, WaitListStatus.NONE -> {
				// Local user was accepted or not in waitlist
			}
		}
	}
})

When the host rejects the entry request, the onWaitListStatusUpdate callback is triggered with WaitListStatus.rejected:

extension MeetingViewModel: RtkSelfEventListener {
	func onWaitListStatusUpdate(waitListStatus: WaitListStatus) {
		switch waitListStatus {
		case .rejected:
			// Local user's join room request was rejected by the host
			print("Your entry request was rejected")
		case .waiting:
			// Local user is in the waiting room
			break
		case .accepted:
			// Local user's join room request was accepted by the host
			break
		default:
			break
		}
	}
}

Monitor when the host rejects the entry request:

function RejectionStatus() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);
	const rejected = roomState === "rejected";

	useEffect(() => {
		if (rejected) {
			console.log("Your entry request was rejected");
		}
	}, [rejected]);

	return rejected ? <Text>Your entry was rejected by the host</Text> : null;
}

Alternatively, use event listeners:

useEffect(() => {
	if (!meeting) return;

	const handleRoomLeft = ({ state }) => {
		if (state === "rejected") {
			console.log("Your entry request was rejected");
		}
	};

	meeting.self.on("roomLeft", handleRoomLeft);

	return () => {
		meeting.self.off("roomLeft", handleRoomLeft);
	};
}, [meeting]);

Monitor State with roomState

You can also directly check the current room state.

Handle all waiting room states in one component:

function WaitingRoomManager() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);

	switch (roomState) {
		case "init":
			return <div>Connecting...</div>;
		case "waitlisted":
			return <div>Waiting for host approval...</div>;
		case "joined":
			return <div>You are in the meeting</div>;
		case "rejected":
			return <div>Your entry was rejected</div>;
		case "left":
			return <div>You left the meeting</div>;
		case "kicked":
			return <div>You were removed from the meeting</div>;
		case "ended":
			return <div>The meeting has ended</div>;
		case "disconnected":
			return <div>Connection lost</div>;
		default:
			return null;
	}
}

const currentState = meeting.self.roomState;

if (currentState === "waitlisted") {
	console.log("Waiting for approval");
} else if (currentState === "joined") {
	console.log("In the meeting");
} else if (currentState === "rejected") {
	console.log("Entry was rejected");
}

Use the event listeners shown above to monitor state changes.

Handle all waiting room states in one component:

function WaitingRoomManager() {
	const roomState = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) => m.self.roomState);

	switch (roomState) {
		case "init":
			return <Text>Connecting...</Text>;
		case "waitlisted":
			return <Text>Waiting for host approval...</Text>;
		case "joined":
			return <Text>You are in the meeting</Text>;
		case "rejected":
			return <Text>Your entry was rejected</Text>;
		case "left":
			return <Text>You left the meeting</Text>;
		case "kicked":
			return <Text>You were removed from the meeting</Text>;
		case "ended":
			return <Text>The meeting has ended</Text>;
		case "disconnected":
			return <Text>Connection lost</Text>;
		default:
			return null;
	}
}

Host Actions

Hosts can manage waiting room requests using participant management methods. See Remote Participants for details on:

acceptWaitingRoomRequest(participantId) - Accept a participant from the waiting room
rejectWaitingRoomRequest(participantId) - Reject a participant's entry request

Example: Host Accepting Participants

import {
	useRealtimeKitClient,
	useRealtimeKitSelector,
} from "@cloudflare/realtimekit-react";

function WaitingRoomHost() {
	const [meeting] = useRealtimeKitClient();
	const waitlistedParticipants = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) =>
		m.participants.waitlisted.toArray(),
	);

	const acceptParticipant = async (participantId) => {
		await meeting.participants.acceptWaitingRoomRequest(participantId);
	};

	const rejectParticipant = async (participantId) => {
		await meeting.participants.rejectWaitingRoomRequest(participantId);
	};

	return (
		<div>
			<h3>Waiting Room ({waitlistedParticipants.length})</h3>
			{waitlistedParticipants.map((participant) => (
				<div key={participant.id}>
					<span>{participant.name}</span>
					<button onClick={() => acceptParticipant(participant.id)}>
						Accept
					</button>
					<button onClick={() => rejectParticipant(participant.id)}>
						Reject
					</button>
				</div>
			))}
		</div>
	);
}

// Get waitlisted participants
const waitlistedParticipants = meeting.participants.waitlisted.toArray();

// Accept the first waitlisted participant
if (waitlistedParticipants.length > 0) {
	const participantId = waitlistedParticipants[0].id;
	await meeting.participants.acceptWaitingRoomRequest(participantId);
}

// Get waitlisted participants
val waitlistedParticipants = meeting.participants.waitlisted

// Accept a participant from the waiting room
if (waitlistedParticipants.isNotEmpty()) {
	val participant = waitlistedParticipants[0]
	meeting.participants.acceptWaitingRoomRequest(participant.id)
}

// Reject a participant's entry request
if (waitlistedParticipants.isNotEmpty()) {
	val participant = waitlistedParticipants[0]
	meeting.participants.rejectWaitingRoomRequest(participant.id)
}

// Listen for waiting room events
meeting.addWaitlistEventListener(object : RtkWaitlistEventListener {
	override fun onWaitListParticipantJoined(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a new participant joins the waiting room
	}

	override fun onWaitListParticipantAccepted(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a waitlisted participant is accepted into the meeting
	}

	override fun onWaitListParticipantRejected(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a waitlisted participant is denied entry
	}

	override fun onWaitListParticipantClosed(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a waitlisted participant leaves the waiting room
	}
})

// Get waitlisted participants
let waitlistedParticipants = meeting.participants.waitlisted

// Accept a participant from the waiting room
if let participant = waitlistedParticipants.first {
	meeting.participants.acceptWaitingRoomRequest(id: participant.id)
}

// Reject a participant's entry request
if let participant = waitlistedParticipants.first {
	meeting.participants.rejectWaitingRoomRequest(participant.id)
}

// Listen for waiting room events
extension MeetingViewModel: RtkWaitlistEventListener {
	func onWaitListParticipantJoined(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a new participant joins the waiting room
	}

	func onWaitListParticipantAccepted(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a waitlisted participant is accepted into the meeting
	}

	func onWaitListParticipantRejected(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a waitlisted participant is denied entry
	}

	func onWaitListParticipantClosed(participant: RtkRemoteParticipant) {
		// Called when a waitlisted participant leaves the waiting room
	}
}

import {
	useRealtimeKitClient,
	useRealtimeKitSelector,
} from "@cloudflare/realtimekit-react-native";
import { View, Text, Button } from "react-native";

function WaitingRoomHost() {
	const [meeting] = useRealtimeKitClient();
	const waitlistedParticipants = useRealtimeKitSelector((m) =>
		m.participants.waitlisted.toArray(),
	);

	const acceptParticipant = async (participantId) => {
		await meeting.participants.acceptWaitingRoomRequest(participantId);
	};

	const rejectParticipant = async (participantId) => {
		await meeting.participants.rejectWaitingRoomRequest(participantId);
	};

	return (
		<View>
			<Text>Waiting Room ({waitlistedParticipants.length})</Text>
			{waitlistedParticipants.map((participant) => (
				<View key={participant.id}>
					<Text>{participant.name}</Text>
					<Button
						title="Accept"
						onPress={() => acceptParticipant(participant.id)}
					/>
					<Button
						title="Reject"
						onPress={() => rejectParticipant(participant.id)}
					/>
				</View>
			))}
		</View>
	);
}

Best Practices

Provide Clear Feedback - Show users when they're in the waiting room and that they're waiting for approval
Set Expectations - Let users know their request is being reviewed
Handle Rejection Gracefully - Provide a friendly message if entry is rejected
Monitor State Changes - Subscribe to room state changes to update your UI accordingly
Check Permissions - Ensure your app has appropriate permissions configured in the preset to use waiting room features