How to Run Moderated Jitsi Meetings Inside Mattermost

Are you looking to enhance your team’s communication by integrating secure, moderated video meetings directly into your collaboration platform? Combining Mattermost with Jitsi allows you to host structured, controlled meetings without leaving your workspace. This guide will walk you through setting up and managing Jitsi moderated meetings within Mattermost, ensuring efficient and secure virtual collaboration.

Understanding Mattermost and Jitsi Integration

Mattermost is an open‑source messaging platform designed for team collaboration. Jitsi is a free, open‑source video conferencing solution. Integrating Jitsi into Mattermost enables users to initiate video calls and screen sharing directly from their chat channels, streamlining communication.

Benefits of Jitsi Moderated Meetings

Moderated meetings in Jitsi provide enhanced control over virtual sessions. Only designated moderators can manage participants, control speaking privileges, and maintain order during meetings. This is particularly useful for webinars, large team meetings, or any scenario requiring structured discussions.

Setting Up the Jitsi Plugin in Mattermost

1. Access the Plugin Marketplace
   Log in to Mattermost with administrative privileges and navigate to the Plugin Marketplace.

2. Install the Jitsi Plugin
   Search for the Jitsi plugin and click Install.

3. Configure the Plugin

   • Enable the plugin.
   • Set the Jitsi server URL (e.g., https://meet.jit.si or your custom Jitsi server).
   • Choose whether to embed Jitsi within Mattermost or open it in a new window.
   • Define naming conventions for meeting rooms.

Note: The default Jitsi plugin may not support moderated meetings out of the box.

Creating Moderated Jitsi Meetings

To host moderated meetings, you’ll need to use Jitsi’s moderated meetings feature:

1. Visit Jitsi’s Moderated Meetings
   Go to https://moderated.jitsi.net/.

2. Create a Meeting
   Generate a unique meeting URL. You’ll receive two links: one for the moderator and one for participants.

3. Share Links Appropriately

   • Provide the moderator link to the host or facilitator.
   • Share the participant link with attendees.

This setup ensures that only the moderator has control over the meeting’s administrative functions.

Integrating Moderated Meetings into Mattermost

Since the default Jitsi plugin may not support moderated meetings directly, you can manually integrate them:

• Post Meeting Links: Share the participant link in the relevant Mattermost channel or direct message.
• Provide Moderator Access: Privately send the moderator link to the designated host.
• Use Descriptive Labels: Clearly label the links to avoid confusion among users.

This manual approach allows you to maintain the benefits of moderated meetings while using Mattermost as your central communication hub.

Best Practices for Moderated Meetings

• Plan Ahead: Schedule meetings in advance and share links early.
• Train Moderators: Ensure moderators are familiar with Jitsi’s controls and features.
• Communicate Clearly: Provide participants with guidelines on meeting etiquette and procedures.
• Test Setup: Conduct test meetings to troubleshoot any issues before the actual session.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
Plugin not available	Jitsi plugin isn’t visible in Marketplace	Ensure your Mattermost version supports plugins or install manually
Meeting access problems	Participants can’t join	Verify that attendees use the correct links and that the moderator has started the meeting
Audio/Video issues	Browser/device permissions	Check browser permissions and device configuration

Conclusion

Integrating Jitsi‑moderated meetings into Mattermost enhances your team’s communication by providing structured, secure video conferencing capabilities. While the default plugin may require manual steps for moderated meetings, the combination of these open‑source tools offers a flexible and efficient solution for virtual collaboration.