How It WorksAccess CodeInvite LinkEncryptionIn-CallMeetingsFree vs PaidTroubleshoot
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Getting Started

Everything you need to know to use MonkeyThorn Meet.

How It Works

Buy a Plan
Choose a tier and pay via Stripe
Get Access Code
16-char key — save it securely
Create Room
Enter name + code, click Create
Share Link
Send invite to participants
Meet
E2EE call — nothing stored

Your Access Code

When you purchase a plan, you receive a 16-character access code. This is your key to creating meetings — treat it like a password.

  • Save it somewhere safe. Copy it to your password manager, notes app, or write it down. We do not store your code in a way that allows us to recover it for you.
  • Your access code is tied to your purchased hours. Every meeting you create deducts time from your balance.
  • If you buy more hours later using the same email address, the new hours are added to your existing access code — no new code needed.
  • You can check your remaining balance at any time by entering your access code on the main page and clicking Check.

Creating a Meeting

  1. Go to monkeythorn.com/meet and scroll to “Start a call.”
  2. Enter your name.
  3. Enter your access code and click Check to verify your balance. Without a code, you can still create a free room (30-minute limit).
  4. Optionally enable Waiting Room — this lets you approve each participant before they can see or hear the call.
  5. Click Create Encrypted Room. You'll see a camera/mic preview, then join the call.

Understanding the Invite Link

https://monkeythorn.com/meet/V1StGXR8z?accessCode=abc123#alpine-beacon-cipher-dusk
Base URLMonkeyThorn Meet domain
Room CodeRandom 9-char room identifier
Access CodeYour paid tier — shared with guests
Encryption PassphraseNever sent to server — stays in browser only

Important: Anyone with the full invite link can join your room and decrypt the call. Share it only with intended participants, using a secure channel (encrypted messaging, in person, etc.) when possible.

Sharing Your Invite

After creating a room, you have three sharing options:

  • Copy Link — Copies the full invite URL to your clipboard. Paste it into a message, email, or chat.
  • Share — Uses your device's native share menu (on mobile) or copies to clipboard (on desktop).
  • Calendar — Downloads a .ics calendar file with the meeting link embedded. Import it into Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar to schedule the call.

Joining a Meeting

There are two ways to join:

  • Click the invite link — The simplest way. Click the link you received, enter your name, preview your camera/mic, and join.
  • Enter a room code — On the main page, scroll to “Join an existing meeting,” paste the invite link or just the room code, and click Join Room.

If the room has a waiting room enabled, you'll see a message after joining that says the host will admit you shortly. The host sees a notification bar at the top of their screen and can approve or deny each participant.

How Encryption Works

YouBrowser encrypts with passphrase
Encrypted
ServerRelays data — cannot read itNo passphrase, no access
Encrypted
ParticipantsBrowser decrypts with passphrase

The passphrase is the part after # in the invite link. Because browser URL hash fragments are never sent in HTTP requests, the server never sees it.

Camera & Microphone Permissions

Your browser will ask for camera and microphone access the first time you join a call. Click Allow when prompted.

If your camera or mic isn't working:

  • Check that no other app (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.) is using the camera.
  • Look for the camera icon in your browser's address bar — click it to manage permissions.
  • On macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera / Microphone → ensure your browser is listed and enabled.
  • On Windows: Settings → Privacy → Camera / Microphone → allow desktop apps.
  • On iPhone/iPad: Settings → Safari (or your browser) → Camera & Microphone → Allow.

In-Call Features

During a call, you have access to these controls in the bottom-right corner:

  • Noise Suppression — Powered by Krisp AI (runs locally in your browser, not on our servers). Filters out background noise like keyboard clicks, barking dogs, and street noise.
  • Background Blur — Blurs your background for privacy. Processed entirely in your browser.
  • Picture-in-Picture — Pops the video into a floating window so you can work in other apps while staying on the call.
  • Compliance Receipt — Downloads a text receipt at the end of your call documenting the date, duration, participant count, and encryption status. No names are included. Useful for professionals who need to document use of a secure channel.

My Meetings

If you have an access code, you can save meetings for reuse. Click My Meetings (visible after entering your access code on the main page) to:

  • Create named, reusable meeting rooms with fixed links.
  • Schedule meetings for a future date and time.
  • Download .ics calendar invites for scheduled meetings.
  • Re-launch saved meetings with one click.
  • Delete meetings you no longer need.

Free Tier vs. Paid

Duration limitFree: 30 minutes per call  |  Paid: Unlimited (uses your balance)
End-to-end encryptionIncluded on all tiers
Noise suppressionIncluded on all tiers
Background blurIncluded on all tiers
Waiting roomIncluded on all tiers
Saved meetingsPaid tiers only
Scheduled meetingsPaid tiers only

Buying More Hours

When your balance runs low, visit the pricing section and purchase another plan using the same email address. The new hours are automatically added to your existing access code. You do not get a new code.

If your balance reaches zero, active calls continue uninterrupted — you just can't create new rooms until you top up.

Browser Support

MonkeyThorn Meet runs entirely in your browser using WebRTC. No downloads, extensions, or plugins required. Supported browsers:

  • Chrome / Edge 90+
  • Firefox 100+
  • Safari 15+ (macOS and iOS)
  • Brave, Arc, and other Chromium-based browsers

For the best experience, use the latest version of your browser on a desktop or laptop. Mobile browsers work but may have limited multitasking (e.g., no picture-in-picture on some devices).

Troubleshooting

  • “Could not connect” — Check your internet connection. If you're on a corporate network, WebRTC traffic (UDP ports) may be blocked by a firewall. Try switching to a personal network or mobile hotspot.
  • Echo or feedback — Use headphones. If two participants are in the same physical room, mute one of them.
  • Video is choppy — This usually indicates low bandwidth. Turn off your camera (audio-only uses much less bandwidth) or move closer to your Wi-Fi router.
  • Can't hear others / others can't hear me — Make sure the correct audio device is selected in the pre-join screen. Check your system volume and ensure the browser has microphone permission.
  • Invite link doesn't work — Make sure the entire link was copied, including the # portion at the end. If the hash fragment is missing, encryption will not work and you will not be able to join.

Privacy & Security

For details on how MonkeyThorn Meet protects your data, see our Privacy Policy and Security Overview.

Need Help?

Email us at support@monkeythorn.com and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Ready to get started?

Create your first encrypted call in under 30 seconds — no download, no account required.

Start a Free CallView Pricing

Free tier includes 30 minutes of encrypted video. No credit card needed.