/build-zoom-team-chat-app

Background reference for Zoom Team Chat integrations. Use this after the workflow is clear, especially when the Team Chat API versus Chatbot API distinction matters.

Read This First (Critical)

There are two different integration types and they are not interchangeable:

1. Team Chat API (user type)

   • Sends messages as a real authenticated user
   • Uses User OAuth (authorization_code)
   • Endpoint family: /v2/chat/users/...

2. Chatbot API (bot type)

   • Sends messages as your bot identity
   • Uses Client Credentials (client_credentials)
   • Endpoint family: /v2/im/chat/messages

If you choose the wrong type early, auth/scopes/endpoints all mismatch and implementation fails.

Official Documentation: https://developers.zoom.us/docs/team-chat/
Chatbot Documentation: https://developers.zoom.us/docs/team-chat/chatbot/extend/
API Reference: https://developers.zoom.us/docs/api/rest/reference/chatbot/

Quick Links

New to Team Chat? Follow this path:

1. Get Started - End-to-end fast path (user type vs bot type)
2. Choose Your API - Team Chat API vs Chatbot API
3. Environment Setup - Credentials, scopes, app configuration
4. OAuth Setup - Complete authentication flow
5. Send First Message - Working code to send messages

Reference:

• Chatbot Message Cards - Complete card component reference
• Webhook Events - All webhook event types
• API Reference - Endpoints, methods, parameters
• Sample Applications - 10+ official sample apps
• Integrated Index - see the section below in this file

Having issues?

• Authentication errors → OAuth Troubleshooting
• Webhook not receiving events → Webhook Setup Guide
• Messages not sending → Common Issues
• Start with quick checks → 5-Minute Runbook

OAuth endpoint sanity check:

• Authorize URL: https://zoom.us/oauth/authorize
• Token URL: https://zoom.us/oauth/token
• If /oauth/token returns 404/HTML, use https://zoom.us/oauth/token.

Building Interactive Bots?

• Button Actions - Handle button clicks
• Form Submissions - Process form data
• Slash Commands - Create custom commands

Quick Decision: Which API?

Team Chat API (User-Level)

• Messages appear as sent by authenticated user
• Requires User OAuth (authorization_code flow)
• Endpoint: POST https://api.zoom.us/v2/chat/users/me/messages
• Scopes: chat_message:write, chat_channel:read

Chatbot API (Bot-Level)

• Messages appear as sent by your bot
• Requires Client Credentials grant
• Endpoint: POST https://api.zoom.us/v2/im/chat/messages
• Scopes: imchat:bot (auto-added)
• Rich cards: buttons, forms, dropdowns, images

Prerequisites

System Requirements

• Zoom account
• Account owner, admin, or Zoom for developers role enabled
  • To enable: User Management → Roles → Role Settings → Advanced features → Enable Zoom for developers

Create Zoom App

1. Go to Zoom App Marketplace
2. Click Develop → Build App
3. Select General App (OAuth)

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