Cometchat Native Calls

Purpose

Production-grade voice + video calling for React Native (Expo managed + bare CLI). Loaded by cometchat-calls when framework is expo or react-native. Operates in two modes:

• Standalone — calls is the product. Chat SDK (signaling) + Calls SDK (WebRTC) + your own RN screens. VoIP push is mandatory — same rule as native iOS / Android.
• Additive — calls layered onto an existing CometChat React Native UI Kit integration. Adds call buttons inline, mounts CometChatIncomingCall at app root.

Read these other skills first:

• cometchat-calls — dispatcher (modes, hard rules, anti-patterns)
• cometchat-native-core — Chat SDK init, login, env conventions, gesture handler peer-dep rules
• Framework path: cometchat-native-expo-patterns (managed) OR cometchat-native-bare-patterns (CLI)

Ground truth:

• SDK source — calls-sdk-react-native-5/package/
• Sample app — calls-sdk-react-native-5/sample-apps/cometchat-calls-sample-app-react-native/
• Public docs — https://www.cometchat.com/docs/calls/react-native/overview

1. Hard rules — RN specialization

1.0 Calls SDK login — only the STANDALONE/raw-SDK path needs it

✅ The additive UI-Kit path does NOT call CometChatCalls.login. When calls are layered onto the RN UI Kit (the common case — <CometChatIncomingCall> at root + the auto call buttons in CometChatMessageHeader, calling extension enabled at CometChatUIKit.init), the kit chains the Calls-SDK auth off CometChatUIKit.login for you. The canonical RN SampleApp wires calls end-to-end (incoming/outgoing/ongoing) with ZERO CometChatCalls.login (verified across examples/SampleApp + SampleAppWithPushNotifications; the kit's CometChatUIKit.login only runs CometChat.login). Don't add it on the UI-Kit path — it's redundant.

await CometChatCalls.login(uid, AUTH_KEY) is required ONLY on the STANDALONE / raw-Calls-SDK path (§4a/§4b — no UI Kit; you call CometChatCalls.generateToken / render a custom call surface directly). There the Calls SDK has its own auth state: after CometChat.login(uid, AUTH_KEY) succeeds, also call await CometChatCalls.login(uid, AUTH_KEY) — without it the first raw calls API throws "auth token cannot be null". (No imperative joinSession on RN — see rule below.)

import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native";
import { CometChatCalls } from "@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native";

// ✓ RIGHT — chat login first, then calls login
await CometChat.login(uid, AUTH_KEY);
try {
  const callUser = await CometChatCalls.login(uid, AUTH_KEY);  // dev mode
  // OR for production:
  // const callUser = await CometChatCalls.loginWithAuthToken(authToken);
} catch (e) {
  // surface to user — common cause: typo in app id / auth key
}

Surprises that bite on real devices:

• The Chat SDK persists login across launches via AsyncStorage; the Calls SDK does NOT. Even if CometChat.getLoggedinUser() returns a non-null user on cold start, call CometChatCalls.login again before any calls API works.
• A single-arg CometChatCalls.login(uid) overload exists for re-login when the SDK has cached auth — default to the (uid, AUTH_KEY) form for dev to avoid foot-guns.
• Login errors surface as Promise rejections — wrap in try/catch.

1.1 Dual-SDK contract

Same shape as web. @cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native initiates ringing; @cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native runs the WebRTC session. Both packages.

import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native";
import { CometChatCalls } from "@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native";

// Chat SDK — initiate
const outgoing = new CometChat.Call(receiverUid, CometChat.CALL_TYPE.VIDEO, CometChat.RECEIVER_TYPE.USER);
const initiated = await CometChat.initiateCall(outgoing);

// Calls SDK — generate the token (v5 takes only sessionId; auth is internal after login).
const { token: callToken } = await CometChatCalls.generateToken(initiated.getSessionId());

// On RN, session/join is rendered via the SDK's declarative Component.
// There is NO imperative joinSession(token, settings, viewRef) on RN — the
// Component IS the call surface. With the kit, <CometChatOngoingCall />
// wraps this internally. For custom UI, render <CometChatCalls.Component
// callToken={callToken} /> directly. See references/custom-ui.md.

1.2 VoIP push — react-native-callkeep + platform-specific push

VoIP push on RN is the highest-effort piece. The standard production stack:

• react-native-callkeep — bridges CallKit (iOS) + ConnectionService (Android). Single API for "report incoming call to OS"
• react-native-voip-push-notification — iOS PushKit token registration + payload delivery
• @react-native-firebase/messaging — Android FCM high-priority data messages
• Server side — your push server must split iOS sends to PushKit (VoIP cert) and Android sends to FCM with priority: "high" and a data payload (NOT notification, which ConnectionService can't intercept)

The skill scaffolds all four pieces in standalone mode. Additive mode prompts before adding (it's substantial).

1.3 Foreground service — same Android 14+ rules as native

When the call is active on Android, an ongoing-call foreground service must run. react-native-callkeep handles registration but the app's AndroidManifest.xml must declare:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_PHONE_CALL" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CAMERA" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_OWN_CALLS" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BIND_TELECOM_CONNECTION_SERVICE" />

Same silent-crash failure mode as native Android (cf. cometchat-android-v5-calls rule 1.3).

For Expo managed, these go into app.json expo.android.permissions AND require a config plugin (react-native-callkeep's plugin) to merge into the generated AndroidManifest.xml during prebuild. Bare RN can edit the manifest directly.

1.4 Server-minted auth tokens

Same — cometchat-native-production covers it.

1.5 Hangup cleanup — RTCPeerConnection + audio session

Combined web + iOS rules. RN's WebRTC bridge wraps both:

function endCall() {
  CometChatCalls.leaveSession();            // v5 canonical (endSession is a deprecated shim)
  RNCallKeep.endCall(callUUID);             // tells CallKit/ConnectionService the call ended

  // iOS: matching audio session deactivation happens inside callkeep
  // Android: foreground service stop happens inside callkeep
}

Skipping RNCallKeep.endCall leaves the system call UI stuck (lock-screen card persists, OS thinks there's an active call). Common bug.

1.6 Permissions

Required:

• iOS Info.plist — NSCameraUsageDescription, NSMicrophoneUsageDescription (same as native)
• Android — runtime requests via PermissionsAndroid.requestMultiple for RECORD_AUDIO, CAMERA, POST_NOTIFICATIONS (Android 13+)
• Expo managed — declare in app.json expo.ios.infoPlist and expo.android.permissions; the prebuild merges into native manifests

1.7 IncomingCall + OutgoingCall + OngoingCall — full event-listener wiring

<CometChatIncomingCall />, <CometChatOutgoingCall />, and <CometChatOngoingCall /> are NOT auto-mounted by each other. The parent component must register both CometChat.addCallListener (SDK socket) and CometChatUIEventHandler.addCallListener (UI events fired by <CometChatCallButtons> / <CometChatMessageHeader>), then conditionally render whichever overlay matches current state. Validated 2026-05-26 on Pixel 3 + @cometchat/chat-uikit-react-native@5.3.5.

Mount this wiring inside the root navigator OR in the App.tsx wrapper, ABOVE all stacks/tabs — calls only ring on screens where the listener exists.

import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native";
import { CometChatCalls } from "@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native";
import {
  CometChatIncomingCall,
  CometChatOutgoingCall,
  CometChatOngoingCall,
  CometChatUIEventHandler,
} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react-native";
import { StyleSheet, View } from "react-native";

const CALL_LISTENER_ID = "app-call-listener";

function CallSurfaces() {
  const [outgoingCall, setOutgoingCall] = useState<CometChat.Call | null>(null);
  const [incomingCall, setIncomingCall] = useState<CometChat.Call | null>(null);
  const [ongoingCall, setOngoingCall] = useState<CometChat.Call | null>(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    // SDK socket — incoming + outgoing-rejected
    CometChat.addCallListener(
      CALL_LISTENER_ID,
      new CometChat.CallListener({
        onIncomingCallReceived: (call: CometChat.Call) => setIncomingCall(call),
        onIncomingCallCancelled: () => setIncomingCall(null),
        onOutgoingCallAccepted: () => {},
        onOutgoingCallRejected: () => setOutgoingCall(null),
      })
    );
    // UI events fired by the kit's CallButtons / MessageHeader on tap
    CometChatUIEventHandler.addCallListener(CALL_LISTENER_ID, {
      ccOutgoingCall: ({ call }) => setOutgoingCall(call),
      ccCallEnded: () => {
        setOutgoingCall(null);
        setIncomingCall(null);
        setOngoingCall(null);
      },
      ccShowOngoingCall: ({ call }) => setOngoingCall(call),
    });
    // Mid-call drops (peer left, network loss, server close) do NOT come through the
    // Chat-SDK/UI-Kit channels above — they fire on the Calls SDK session events (v5).
    // For a STANDALONE custom call surface, also register (clone skills/event-listeners):
    //   const offLeft   = CometChatCalls.addEventListener('onSessionLeft',     () => { /* reset state */ });
    //   const offClosed = CometChatCalls.addEventListener('onConnectionClosed', () => { /* reset state */ });
    //   // addEventListener returns an unsubscribe fn — call offLeft()/offClosed() on cleanup.
    // (Additive mode using the kit's <CometChatOngoingCall> handles this internally.)
    return () => {
      CometChat.removeCallListener(CALL_LISTENER_ID);
      CometChatUIEventHandler.removeCallListener(CALL_LISTENER_ID);
    };
  }, []);

  return (
    <>
      {incomingCall && <View style={StyleSheet.absoluteFill}><CometChatIncomingCall call={incomingCall} => setIncomingCall(null)} /></View>}{/* onDecline is REQUIRED on the RN kit's CometChatIncomingCall (onAccept/onError optional) */}
      {outgoingCall && <View style={StyleSheet.absoluteFill}><CometChatOutgoingCall call={outgoingCall} /></View>}
      {/* CometChatOngoingCall has NO `call` prop — it takes sessionID (required) + callSettingsBuilder (required) + onError? (verified vs uikit-react-native-v5 CometChatOngoingCall.tsx). CometChatIncomingCall/OutgoingCall DO take `call`. */}
      {ongoingCall && <View style={StyleSheet.absoluteFill}><CometChatOngoingCall sessionID={ongoingCall.getSessionId()} callSettingsBuilder={new CometChatCalls.CallSettingsBuilder().setIsAudioOnlyCall(ongoingCall.getType() === "audio")} /></View>}
    </>
  );
}

Don't skip the ccOutgoingCall listener. Without it, tapping the video/voice button in <CometChatMessageHeader> triggers the call at the SDK level (WebRTC, camera, audio init) but no overlay UI ever mounts — the user sees nothing change after the tap. This was [[project_v4_3_f75_rn_call_ui_missing]] — F75.

In standalone mode, CallKit/ConnectionService own the foreground UI; <CometChatIncomingCall /> is not used. Instead, a react-native-callkeep event listener at app root reports new calls to the OS.

1.8 Three canonical provider/scaffold patterns (non-negotiable)

Validated across 4 RN cohorts on 2026-05-14. Each bug silently breaks integration in a different way; each fix is one line. Future scaffolds MUST emit all three.

1.8.a — getLoggedInUser() throws on no-session; always .catch(() => null).

// ❌ Throws "User not found" on every fresh launch → init fails → app stuck
const existing = await CometChatUIKit.getLoggedInUser();
if (existing) return;

// ✅
const existing = await CometChatUIKit.getLoggedInUser().catch(() => null);
if (existing) return;

The RN SDK treats "no logged-in user" as a thrown error (not null), unlike the web SDK. Without the catch, every fresh launch aborts before reaching login().

1.8.b — Render e.message, not String(e).

// ❌ Most CometChat SDK errors are plain objects, not Error subclasses
// → setError(String(e)) shows "[object Object]" on screen
catch (e) {
  setError(String(e));
}

// ✅
catch (e) {
  initialized = false; // let hot-reload retry
  const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : JSON.stringify(e);
  setError(msg);
}

Hiding the underlying error from the user is the single biggest debugging-time-sink in this stack. Always render e.message (or JSON.stringify(e) as fallback) so the actionable text reaches the screen.

1.8.c — DO NOT pass onAccept to <CometChatIncomingCall>.

// ❌ Short-circuits the kit's internal acceptCall + OngoingCall transition.
// Symptom: callee taps Accept; caller's outgoing screen stays on "Calling…"
// indefinitely; the call connects at server level but UI never transitions.
<CometChatIncomingCall call={call} => navigate('OngoingCall', ...)} ... />

// ✅ Let the kit own the accept path; only handle decline + error
<CometChatIncomingCall
  call={call}
  => setCallReceived(false)}
  => setCallReceived(false)}
/>

The kit calls CometChat.acceptCall internally and pushes its own OngoingCall surface. Providing onAccept replaces that behavior with the caller's function — typically incomplete, never matches what the kit does.

Also recommended — guard creds at init time so undefined @env/process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_* values surface as actionable errors:

if (!appId || !region) {
  throw new Error(
    `Missing CometChat credentials at init time: appId=${JSON.stringify(appId)}, region=${JSON.stringify(region)}. ` +
    `Check .env defines COMETCHAT_APP_ID/COMETCHAT_REGION/COMETCHAT_AUTH_KEY ` +
    `and restart Metro with cache wipe.`,
  );
}

Without this guard, undefined env values produce opaque TypeError: undefined is not a function from deep inside the SDK — the most expensive failure mode of a typo'd env name.

2. Setup

Bare RN CLI

npm install @cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native@^4 @cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native@^5
npm install react-native-callkeep react-native-voip-push-notification @react-native-firebase/app @react-native-firebase/messaging
npm install react-native-webrtc           # Calls SDK peer dep
npm install react-native-gesture-handler react-native-reanimated  # already installed if using UI Kit

iOS — four hardening steps before pod install (validated 2026-05-14 on Apple Silicon, iOS 26.5 sim):

1. USE_FRAMEWORKS=static pod install — required for WebRTC + CometChat pods. Default dynamic linkage silently produces a binary that can't load WebRTC at runtime. Set in shell rc or invoke every time:

   cd ios && USE_FRAMEWORKS=static pod install && cd ..
   # Subsequent builds:
   USE_FRAMEWORKS=static npx react-native run-ios
   

2. Remove EXCLUDED_ARCHS arm64 i386 from ios/Podfile (Apple Silicon). RN templates often add this Intel-era workaround to the post-install hook; on Apple Silicon it blocks react-native-webrtc/JitsiWebRTC arm64 slices from linking against the simulator. Delete the line:

   # ❌ Remove this from post_install on Apple Silicon
   config.build_settings['EXCLUDED_ARCHS[sdk=iphonesimulator*]'] = 'arm64 i386'
   

3. ios/Info.plist — minimum set for calls:

   <key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
   <string>Camera access for video calls</string>
   <key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
   <string>Microphone access for voice and video calls</string>
   <key>NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescription</key>
   <string>Bluetooth access for using headsets during calls</string>
   <key>UIBackgroundModes</key>
   <array>
     <string>audio</string>
     <string>voip</string>
     <string>remote-notification</string>
   </array>
   

   UIBackgroundModes: audio is the load-bearing one for call-audio survival when the app backgrounds; without it, audio cuts the instant the app loses foreground. NSBluetoothAlways prevents a crash when the user connects a Bluetooth headset mid-call.

4. ios/.xcode.env.local NODE_BINARY — point at a stable Homebrew Node path, not an nvm path that may have been cleaned up:

   # ios/.xcode.env.local
   export NODE_BINARY=/opt/homebrew/opt/node@20/bin/node
   

   nvm paths in ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.x.y/bin/node go stale when nvm prunes — Xcode build fails with node: command not found. Homebrew /opt/homebrew/opt/node@20/bin/node is symlinked to whatever node@20.x is currently installed; survives brew upgrade.

iOS-on-RN works even where iOS V5 NATIVE is blocked. The native iOS V5 cohort is gated upstream by a Cloudsmith 404 on cometchat-calls-ios. The RN-on-iOS path links a different WebRTC surface (react-native-webrtc + JitsiWebRTC pod transitives), so customers on RN + iOS are NOT blocked by the native cohort's vendor issue.

Android — manifest permissions (rule 1.3 + 1.6), Firebase config (google-services.json in android/app/), service registration:

<service
  android:name="io.wazo.callkeep.RNCallKeepBackgroundMessagingService"
  android:foregroundServiceType="phoneCall|microphone|camera"
  android:exported="false" />

Expo managed

Calls SDK requires native modules — Expo managed CANNOT run it without a custom dev client. The skill detects the project mode:

• Managed + has expo-dev-client: scaffolds config plugins for callkeep/firebase/voip-push, regenerates native projects, builds dev client
• Managed without dev client: prompts the user — calls require either ejecting to bare or adding expo-dev-client
• EAS Build: configures eas.json profiles + build commands

Expo Go (the public dev client) cannot run calls. The skill states this clearly and refuses to scaffold without a dev client.

⚠️ Real build-time landmines on Expo SDK 54 + chat-uikit-react-native 5.3.x (validated 2026-05-14, 4 cohorts)

A previous version of this doc listed three "Expo SDK 54 build traps" (document-picker removal, react-native-worklets install, NDK override). Re-validation on 2026-05-14 across expo-new, expo-existing, rn-new, rn-existing showed none of those three fired on the current combo (chat-uikit-react-native@5.3.5 + calls-sdk-react-native@5.0.0/4.4.1 + Expo SDK 54). Removed. The real landmines on this combo are different:

1. @cometchat/calls-lib-webrtc is Cloudsmith-only, NOT on npm. npm install @cometchat/calls-lib-webrtc returns 404. The package lives on CometChat's Cloudsmith registry. Use the tarball URL:

   npm install --legacy-peer-deps \
     'https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/cometchat/cometchat/raw/files/cometchat-calls-lib-webrtc-346a46ff.tgz'
   

   The exact revision hash may roll forward — check the Cloudsmith page for the current version. Without this, runtime fails when the WebRTC layer initializes.

2. --legacy-peer-deps silently strips peer deps the kit needs at runtime. chat-uikit-react-native does not declare all its transitive runtime peers in peerDependencies (kit + calls SDK together pull in expo-linking, expo-constants, expo-asset, expo-font via expo-router, plus valibot, zustand, @xmldom/xmldom, abab, promise.allsettled, text-encoding, react-native-url-polyfill, react-native-performance). With --legacy-peer-deps, npm skips them. Each one bites on first bundle as Unable to resolve module .... Reinstall them explicitly:

   # Bare RN
   npm install --legacy-peer-deps \
     valibot zustand @xmldom/xmldom abab promise.allsettled text-encoding \
     react-native-url-polyfill react-native-performance
   
   # Expo (resolves to SDK-compatible versions)
   npx expo install \
     expo-linking expo-constants expo-asset expo-font \
     -- --legacy-peer-deps
   

3. expo.extra (app.json) caches on the Expo dev client manifest. Edits to app.json → expo.extra after expo prebuild do NOT reload to the device — Constants.expoConfig.extra keeps reading the prebuild-time snapshot. For dev iteration on credentials, EITHER hardcode in src/config/*.ts (Metro hot-bundles source changes) OR run expo prebuild --clean && expo run:android after every app.json → extra change.

4. react-native start does NOT run adb reverse (bare RN only). Only react-native run-android sets adb reverse tcp:8081 tcp:8081. When you restart Metro standalone (e.g. after .env changes), the device loses port-forwarding and shows "unable to load scripts." Fix:

   adb reverse tcp:8081 tcp:8081
   

5. react-native-dotenv needs Metro --reset-cache after .env changes (bare RN only). The babel plugin processes .env at compile time, not runtime. Workflow:

   pkill -9 -f "react-native start"
   npx react-native start --reset-cache
   adb reverse tcp:8081 tcp:8081
   adb shell am force-stop com.<package> && adb shell monkey -p com.<package> -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER 1
   

Init

// cometchat/init.ts
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native";
import { CometChatCalls } from "@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native";

let initialized = false;

export async function initCometChat() {
  if (initialized) return;

  const appSettings = new CometChat.AppSettingsBuilder()
    .subscribePresenceForAllUsers()
    .setRegion(process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_COMETCHAT_REGION!)
    .build();

  await CometChat.init(process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_COMETCHAT_APP_ID!, appSettings);

  // Calls SDK init takes a FLAT object — there is no CallAppSettingsBuilder in v5 RN.
  await CometChatCalls.init({
    appId: process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_COMETCHAT_APP_ID!,
    region: process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_COMETCHAT_REGION!,
    authKey: process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_COMETCHAT_AUTH_KEY!,
  });

  initialized = true;
}

(Bare RN uses react-native-dotenv and @env imports instead of process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_* — see cometchat-native-bare-patterns.)

3. Components catalog

Calls SDK primitives

Same names + shapes as the JavaScript SDK (Section 3 of cometchat-react-calls). RN-relevant session helpers include switchCamera(), setAudioMode(mode), muteAudio()/unmuteAudio(), pauseVideo()/resumeVideo() — see the SDK's custom-ui reference. (Web-only helpers like device enumeration and virtual background are not available on RN.)

UI Kit views (additive mode — @cometchat/chat-uikit-react-native)

⚠️ Group calls use message-based join, not the ringing channel (validated 2026-05-15)

<CometChatCallButtons group={group} /> does NOT call CometChat.initiateCall like the 1:1 user variant does. Source: node_modules/@cometchat/chat-uikit-react-native/src/calls/CometChatCallButtons/CometChatCallButtons.tsx:138-201.

Implication for receivers:

• Other kit-based clients (apps using <CometChatMessageList /> to render group messages) — get the "Join meeting" card rendered automatically; tap to join. No additional plumbing.

• Custom-UI clients (apps that render their own message list, or no list at all) — receive NOTHING on the CallListener channel for group calls. To handle group meetings, add a CometChat.addMessageListener and check for the custom meeting type:

  CometChat.addMessageListener('GROUP_MEETING_LISTENER', new CometChat.MessageListener({
    onCustomMessageReceived: (msg) => {
      if (msg.getCategory() === CometChat.CATEGORY_CUSTOM && msg.getType() === 'meeting') {
        const sessionId = (msg.getCustomData() as any)?.sessionId;
        const callType = (msg.getCustomData() as any)?.callType;  // "audio" | "video"
        // Show your own "incoming group call" UI; tap to navigate to ongoing-call with sessionId
      }
    },
  }));
  

This semantic is the same across all CometChat kits (React, Angular, native iOS, native Android, Flutter) — group calls broadcast via custom message, NOT the ringing channel. Document loudly because the symptom (group-call recipient sees nothing) looks like a bug but is by design.

4. Standalone integration

When product === "voice-video" and there is no existing UI Kit.

Telemetry attribution (ai-agent). Session mode (§4a, calls SDK only) MUST init via CometChatCalls.initFromSettings(cometchatSettings) (@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native >= 5.0.3) — the only reporter in a calls-only app; it fires on CometChatCalls.login. Additive mode is already attributed by the chat side (cometchat-native-core inits chat via CometChatUIKit.initFromSettings; with the Chat SDK linked the Calls SDK suppresses its own report). Ringing mode (§4b) links the raw Chat SDK for signaling only — use CometChatCalls.initFromSettings there too so the calls side carries the flag.

Split by calling mode — these are two different shapes:

4a. Standalone — Session mode (meeting-room UX, no ringing)

Calls SDK ONLY. NO Chat SDK. Matches calls-sdk-react-native-5/sample-apps/cometchat-calls-sample-app-react-native/.

⚠️ Idle timeout is in MILLISECONDS on React Native (the "instant exit on join" footgun). Like the web SDK, the RN calls SDK's SessionSettings idle fields are milliseconds, not seconds (calls-sdk-react-native/skills/session-settings: idleTimeoutPeriodBeforePrompt: 60000 ms). Setting idleTimeoutPeriodBeforePrompt: 180 thinking "180s" means 180 ms → the "Are you still there?" prompt fires and the session exits a fraction of a second after you join alone. Use ms: { idleTimeoutPeriodBeforePrompt: 180_000, idleTimeoutPeriodAfterPrompt: 60_000 } (defaults 60_000 / 120_000). The timer only counts down when you're the only participant, so a solo test triggers it fastest. (Native Android/iOS/Flutter calls SDKs use seconds for setIdleTimeoutPeriod, default 300 — RN/web are the ms outliers.)

MANDATORY install set (MUST run BEFORE scaffolding files — bundle will fail with Unable to resolve module <name> for each one missing):

# Bare RN — session-only mode (all version pins are load-bearing, see notes below)
npm install --legacy-peer-deps \
  '@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native@^5.0.0' \
  'https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/cometchat/cometchat/raw/files/cometchat-calls-lib-webrtc-346a46ff.tgz' \
  'react-native-webrtc@^124.0.0' \
  'react-native-permissions@^5.0.0' \
  'react-native-safe-area-context@^5.0.0' \
  '@react-native-async-storage/async-storage@^2.2.0' \
  '@xmldom/xmldom@^0.8.11' \
  'react-native-svg@^15.0.0' \
  'react-native-background-timer@^2.4.1' \
  'react-native-performance@^5.1.0' \
  'react-native-url-polyfill@^2.0.0' \
  'valibot@^1.2.0' \
  'zustand@^5.0.0' \
  'text-encoding@^0.7.0' \
  'abab@^2.0.6' \
  'promise.allsettled@^1.0.7'

# The Cloudsmith tarball sometimes silently skips on the same install line as
# other packages — re-run it on its own if it's missing afterwards:
[ -d node_modules/@cometchat/calls-lib-webrtc ] || \
  npm install --save --force \
    'https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/cometchat/cometchat/raw/files/cometchat-calls-lib-webrtc-346a46ff.tgz'

Critical version pins — empirically validated 2026-05-15 (test #3, RN bare on Pixel 3 + RN 0.85):

Metro config patch: route the calls SDK to its .mjs entry. @cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native@5.0.0 ships a broken CJS bundle at dist/index.js — line 1 is import "./polyfills" (ESM syntax inside a CJS file). Metro can't parse it; the import returns undefined and crashes at runtime as Cannot read property 'CometChatCalls' of undefined in your init.ts. The dist/index.mjs is correctly formed. Patch metro.config.js:

const { getDefaultConfig, mergeConfig } = require('@react-native/metro-config');
const path = require('path');

const config = {
  resolver: {
    resolveRequest: (context, moduleName, platform) => {
      if (moduleName === '@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native') {
        return {
          filePath: path.resolve(
            __dirname,
            'node_modules/@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native/dist/index.mjs',
          ),
          type: 'sourceFile',
        };
      }
      return context.resolveRequest(context, moduleName, platform);
    },
  },
};

module.exports = mergeConfig(getDefaultConfig(__dirname), config);

After patching, npx react-native start --reset-cache to clear Metro's resolver cache, then run-android / run-ios. Customer-found 2026-05-15 (test #3).

11 peer deps total — derived empirically (test #3, 2026-05-15) by parsing the SDK's actual bundle imports (node_modules/@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native/dist/index.js + dist/polyfills/*.js). Every one is a real bundle-time or runtime requirement. The npm CLI --legacy-peer-deps flag silently strips them, so they must be listed explicitly.

Failure-mode breakdown:

Also: DO NOT install @cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native in session-only mode. Dead weight in source (never imported, never initialized) AND it transitively pulls async-storage which conflicts with our own peer-dep management.

Verify checks: rn_webrtc_peers (11-peer presence) + no_chat_sdk_in_session_only (Chat SDK absence).

The skill then scaffolds:

1. cometchat/init.ts — file-based init so the calls-only app self-reports integrationSource = "ai-agent". Import the committed cometchat-settings.json and call CometChatCalls.initFromSettings(cometchatSettings) (@cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native >= 5.0.3, verified against the published types; returns Promise<{ success, error }> — check .success). No CometChat.init, no CometChat.login. On an older calls SDK the method does not exist — fall back to CometChatCalls.init({ appId, region, authKey }). Put authKey in the settings file so CometChatCalls.login(uid) needs no second arg. The ai-agent report fires on CometChatCalls.login success, so a session-only app must log the user in via CometChatCalls.login(uid). Do NOT hand-roll the raw init when initFromSettings is available — a bare init re-attributes as manual.
2. screens/JoinSession.tsx — UID picker + Start/Join meeting + state machine (inMeeting && callToken).
3. screens/CallRoom.tsx — Renders <CometChatCalls.Component callToken={callToken} /> inside SafeAreaView. onConnectionClosed listener resets state. See references/call-session.md.
4. No VoIP push — session mode is link-driven, not ringing-driven. No react-native-callkeep, no PushKit, no FCM data messages.
5. Native config — Camera + microphone permissions only.

Why no Chat SDK / no VoIP push: session mode never initiates a call entity. Customers tap a meeting link, the app generates a token, joins the session. There's nothing to "ring." Initializing both SDKs + the VoIP-push stack adds substantial complexity for zero benefit.

4b. Standalone — Ringing mode (CallKeep + CallKit/ConnectionService + Incoming/Outgoing/Ongoing kit)

Dual-SDK: Chat SDK signaling channel + Calls SDK media channel. The skill scaffolds:

1. cometchat/init.ts — Chat SDK + Calls SDK init (sequential).
2. cometchat/CometChatProvider.tsx — Provider with init+login gate.
3. hooks/useCallKeep.ts — Sets up react-native-callkeep, registers event listeners (didReceiveStartCallAction, answerCall, endCall).
4. services/voipPush.ts — Combines react-native-voip-push-notification (iOS) + @react-native-firebase/messaging (Android). Handles incoming-call payloads → RNCallKeep.displayIncomingCall(...).
5. screens/ProfileScreen.tsx (or wherever the call trigger lives) — Voice + video buttons.
6. screens/OngoingCallScreen.tsx — Hosts call surface via <CometChatCalls.Component /> OR custom UI overlay. Implements rule 1.5 cleanup (CometChatCalls.leaveSession() + RNCallKeep.endCall(callUUID)).
7. screens/CallLogsScreen.tsx — Paginated history.
8. Native config — Info.plist, AndroidManifest.xml, Firebase setup, capabilities.
9. Server-side push docs — describes the VoIP cert + FCM key requirements; cannot automate.

5. Additive integration

When cometchat-native-core integration already exists. The skill:

1. Adds @cometchat/calls-sdk-react-native + the four push deps.
2. Patches cometchat/init.ts to add CometChatCalls.init after CometChat.init.
3. Mounts <CometChatIncomingCall /> at app root (rule 1.7).
4. Wires CometChatMessageHeader call buttons (auto-rendered when user prop is set).
5. VoIP push: opt-in (asks user — substantial native config).
6. Adds a CallLogsScreen to the existing navigator if the user picked "dedicated screen".

6. Anti-patterns

1. Using Expo Go for calls. Calls require native modules that Expo Go can't load. Either eject or use a dev client. The skill refuses to scaffold against Expo Go.
2. Skipping cd ios && pod install after install. Symbols missing → "Native module CometChatCalls is null" runtime error. Bare RN only.
3. Mounting <CometChatIncomingCall /> inside a stack/tab navigator. Loses the listener on stack push. Mount in App.tsx above the navigator (rule 1.7).
4. Forgetting RNCallKeep.endCall in the hangup path. CallKit/ConnectionService thinks the call is still active; lock-screen UI gets stuck.
5. Sending Android push as notification instead of data. ConnectionService cannot intercept notification payloads. Server must send data: { type: "incoming_call", sessionId: "..." } with priority: "high".
6. Missing Firebase google-services.json for Android. Builds fail at compile time but the error is buried in Gradle output.
7. Mixing react-native-callkeep v4 with RN <0.70. Older RN versions need callkeep v3.x; the skill checks RN version.
8. Passing onAccept to <CometChatIncomingCall> (rule 1.8.c). Short-circuits the kit's internal acceptCall + OngoingCall transition — callee's UI moves but caller stays on "Calling…" indefinitely. Only handle onDecline + onError; let the kit own the accept path.
9. setError(String(e)) in catch blocks (rule 1.8.b). Most SDK errors aren't Error subclasses → screen shows [object Object]. Use e instanceof Error ? e.message : JSON.stringify(e).
10. await CometChatUIKit.getLoggedInUser() without .catch(() => null) (rule 1.8.a). RN SDK throws "User not found" on no-session — kills init before login can run.
11. pod install without USE_FRAMEWORKS=static. Default dynamic linkage produces a binary that can't load WebRTC at runtime. iOS only.
12. EXCLUDED_ARCHS = 'arm64 i386' in Podfile post_install on Apple Silicon. Intel-era workaround that breaks arm64 simulator linking for WebRTC pods. Remove on Apple Silicon hosts.
13. react-native start followed by app reload without adb reverse tcp:8081 tcp:8081. Only run-android sets the port forward; standalone Metro restart loses it. Symptom: "unable to load scripts." Bare RN only.
14. Editing .env and expecting Metro hot-reload to pick it up. react-native-dotenv is a babel-time plugin — .env changes need Metro --reset-cache. Bare RN only.
15. Installing CometChat deps with --legacy-peer-deps and expecting all transitive peers to land. npm silently skips peers — install valibot, zustand, @xmldom/xmldom, abab, promise.allsettled, text-encoding, react-native-url-polyfill, react-native-performance, plus Expo's expo-linking/expo-constants/expo-asset/expo-font explicitly. See §2 setup landmines.
16. npm install @cometchat/calls-lib-webrtc. Returns 404 — package is Cloudsmith-only. Use the https://dl.cloudsmith.io/... tarball URL.

7. Verification checklist

Static:

• All seven packages: chat-sdk-react-native, calls-sdk-react-native, callkeep, voip-push-notification, firebase/app, firebase/messaging, webrtc
• @cometchat/calls-lib-webrtc installed via Cloudsmith tarball (not npm — npm returns 404)
• iOS: Info.plist has UIBackgroundModes (audio + voip + remote-notification) + camera/mic/Bluetooth strings (rule 1.6 + §2 setup)
• iOS: PushKit token registration in App.tsx (or a hook called from there)
• iOS: USE_FRAMEWORKS=static used for pod install
• iOS (Apple Silicon): no EXCLUDED_ARCHS = 'arm64 i386' in Podfile post_install
• iOS: .xcode.env.local NODE_BINARY points at stable Homebrew node path
• Android: manifest has all four FOREGROUND_SERVICE_* permissions + MANAGE_OWN_CALLS + BIND_TELECOM_CONNECTION_SERVICE
• Android: google-services.json in android/app/
• Android: callkeep service registered with correct foregroundServiceType
• CometChatIncomingCall mounted at App.tsx (additive mode), no onAccept prop (rule 1.8.c)
• CometChatUIKit.getLoggedInUser called with .catch(() => null) (rule 1.8.a)
• Error rendering uses e.message not String(e) (rule 1.8.b)
• Env-var guard: provider throws actionable error when appId/region undefined (rule 1.8.c "Also recomm

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