Element Web is a web-based Matrix client developed by Element HQ, designed to provide a polished, secure, and extensible interface for real-time communication over the Matrix protocol. Originally known as Vector and Riot, it has evolved into a robust platform for teams and organizations seeking control over their messaging infrastructure. Built with TypeScript and powered by the Matrix JS SDK, Element Web offers a modern web experience with support for messaging, voice calls, video conferencing, and end-to-end encryption. It is ideal for developers, DevOps teams, and organizations that require self-hosted, privacy-focused communication tools without sacrificing usability or features.
The application is designed with security as a core principle, enforcing strict content policies and recommending separate domains for the client and Matrix homeserver to prevent XSS attacks. Element Web supports deployment as a static web application, via Docker, or as a desktop app using Electron. Its modular architecture allows for runtime extensions through official module APIs, making it adaptable to enterprise workflows and custom integrations.
What You Get
- Secure, self-hostable web client - Deploy Element Web on your own server with strict security headers (X-Frame-Options, Content-Security-Policy, X-Content-Type-Options) to prevent clickjacking and MIME sniffing; configuration examples provided for nginx and Apache.
- Modular extension system - Extend functionality via runtime modules using the @element-hq/element-web-module-api; configure modules through config.json without modifying core code.
- Multi-environment support - Officially supports last 2 major versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari; provides best-effort support for ESR/Extended Stable browsers and community-supported mobile web.
- Built-in localization and translation support - Full i18n system with integration to Localazy for community translations; includes developer tools for adding new languages via docs/translating-dev.md.
- Static build and deployment - Generate production-ready static assets using
yarn dist or yarn build; deployable on any HTTP server without backend dependencies.
- Desktop app integration - Seamlessly run Element Web as a desktop application using Electron; configuration options available for overriding defaults via docs/config.md#desktop-app-configuration.
Common Use Cases
- Building a secure internal communication platform - Organizations deploying Element Web behind their firewall to replace Slack or Microsoft Teams with full data control, using custom modules for SSO integration and audit logging.
- Creating a federated team chat system with end-to-end encryption - Teams using Matrix’s decentralized architecture to communicate across multiple servers while maintaining encrypted rooms, with Element Web as the primary interface for web users.
- Problem: Need to avoid cloud-based messaging vendors → Solution: Self-host Element Web with nginx and strict CSP headers - Enterprises avoiding SaaS dependencies can deploy Element Web on-premises with recommended security headers to prevent XSS and clickjacking, ensuring compliance with data sovereignty regulations.
- Team: DevOps teams managing microservices across hybrid clouds - Using Element Web to monitor and coordinate incident response via Matrix rooms, with custom modules to forward alerts from Prometheus or Grafana directly into the chat interface.
Under The Hood
Element Web is a web-based messaging client built on the Matrix protocol, designed to provide a modular, extensible, and component-driven communication platform. It emphasizes reusability, type safety, and developer-friendly architecture to support both core functionality and third-party integrations.
Architecture
This project adopts a layered, modular architecture with a strong emphasis on component-based development and clear separation of concerns.
- The codebase follows a layered design with distinct boundaries between presentation, domain logic, and data access layers
- A centralized shared-components package promotes UI consistency and reuse across the application
- Component interactions are managed through well-defined interfaces and view-model patterns, enhancing testability and maintainability
- The modular structure enables isolated development and testing while ensuring seamless integration with the core application
Tech Stack
Built with modern web technologies, the project leverages TypeScript and React to deliver a robust and scalable messaging experience.
- The primary language is TypeScript, with React as the core UI framework, supporting component-based and type-safe development
- Key dependencies include matrix-js-sdk for Matrix protocol integration and @vector-im/compound-web for design system components
- Build and deployment tools encompass Webpack, Vite, and Docker, with comprehensive CI/CD and linting configurations
- Testing is supported through Jest, Playwright, and Vitest, with Storybook integration for component validation
Code Quality
Code quality is well-maintained with consistent patterns, strong typing, and extensive test coverage that support long-term maintainability.
- Comprehensive testing practices ensure reliability across unit, integration, and end-to-end scenarios
- Strong emphasis on type safety and linting enforces code consistency and reduces runtime errors
- Internationalization support and modular component design improve extensibility and global usability
- Code organization and structure follow established conventions that promote readability and scalability
What Makes It Unique
Element Web distinguishes itself through its thoughtful architectural choices and innovative use of modern web patterns for extensibility.
- The shared-components library exemplifies a sophisticated approach to building reusable, self-contained UI elements that compose across the application
- Implementation of MVVM patterns in view models like FooViewModel and CallViewModel provides a clear separation of concerns for UI logic
- A generic WorkerManager class enables offloading heavy tasks to web workers, enhancing performance and preventing UI blocking
- An extensible module system allows for third-party integrations without modifying core application logic, fostering a flexible ecosystem