When platforms shut down: migrating a TypeScript WebXR app after Meta Workrooms closure

When platforms shut down: a survival guide for TypeScript WebXR teams

Your host platform just announced an imminent shutdown — and you have teams, data, and customers depending on a WebXR app built in TypeScript. This exact scenario hit many groups after Meta announced the end of Workrooms (closing Feb 16, 2026) and the consolidation of Horizon services. If you’re responsible for a VR/WebXR product, your immediate priorities are simple but urgent: preserve user data, maintain a viable UX fallback, and start a pragmatic migration to open standards that keeps your app working across headsets and browsers.

Top-line action: triage first, migrate incrementally

The smartest play is a two-track approach: short-term triage to protect users and continuity, and a mid-to-long-term migration that reduces platform lock-in. Do not pause engineering — instead, prioritize the checklist below and move in parallel: export and archive data, add fallback experiences for non-native runtimes, and wrap proprietary SDKs behind a TypeScript adapter so you can swap implementations without rewriting the app.

Why this matters in 2026

• Meta’s Reality Labs cuts and Workrooms discontinuation made platform risk real for teams relying on managed VR services.
• Open standards like WebXR and native runtimes (OpenXR) are more mature; WebGPU is now a practical option for high-fidelity browsers.
• Privacy and data portability rules (regional updates in 2024–2026) increase the legal and UX need to give users control of their data.

"When your provider shutters a hosted XR service, users will judge you not on the shutdown but on how you handle continuity and data." — engineering lead playbook, 2026

Immediate checklist (first 0–30 days)

1. Notify users and admins: Publish a clear timeline, export options, and contact points. Include instructions for teams and admins to download or migrate content.
2. Snapshot and archive data: Create immutable exports of user data, room states, avatars, assets, and logs. Prefer formats that are easy to import: JSON for metadata, glTF for 3D assets, and standard image/video formats.
3. Protect authentication flows: Identify OAuth tokens, session lifetimes, and refresh flows. Ensure the ability to revoke or re-issue tokens in the new environment.
4. Deploy read-only fallback endpoints: If your hosted APIs will be disabled, deploy a static/exported API that serves archived content and read-only room histories.
5. Enable in-app export: Add a one-click export for users to download their workspace data locally (zip of JSON + assets).

Medium-term checklist (30–90 days)

1. Implement a platform adapter layer: Introduce a TypeScript interface that abstracts platform features (auth, presence, voice, avatars). Provide a shim for the outgoing platform and a plan for WebXR/OpenXR implementations.
2. Port critical flows to open standards: Replace platform-specific APIs for rendering and input with WebXR and WebRTC for audio/video. Use progressive enhancement to keep feature parity while broadening compatibility.
3. Provide 2D / browser fallbacks: Ensure users can access content via desktop/mobile browsers using a canvas/WebGL rendering path and standard WebRTC or Socket fallback for realtime data.
4. Audit third-party dependencies: Replace closed-source or proprietary SDKs where possible to avoid future surprises — a good time to apply a tool-rationalization review.
5. Test across headsets and browsers: Include Quest, Pico, PC-VR, and mobile AR where applicable. Automate smoke tests for each adapter.

Long-term checklist (90+ days)

1. Complete migration to open runtimes: Migrate to WebXR for browser-based experiences and OpenXR for native shells where needed.
2. Invest in CI and regression suites: Add TypeScript-based unit and integration tests that exercise adapters and fallback modes. See notes on CI and microservice-style deployment in a micro-apps devops playbook.
3. Design for multi-platform UX: Create UX patterns that gracefully degrade from immersive VR to 2D and vice versa.
4. Plan federation and import/export: Support importing user workspaces into other platforms and offer standardized export formats.
5. Measure and iterate: Track adoption, broken flows, and retention after migration; prioritize fixes based on user impact.

Practical TypeScript strategies and patterns

A TypeScript-first approach reduces risk during migration. Below are patterns and runnable examples you can adopt immediately: the adapter pattern for platform APIs, a safe data-export routine, and feature-detection with graceful fallbacks.

1) Adapter pattern: abstract platform capabilities

Create a single interface representing the features your app consumes: presence, room management, avatars, and audio. Implement adapters for Workrooms/Horizon (temporary), WebXR/WebRTC, and a simple mock for offline/testing.

// src/platforms/PlatformAPI.ts
export interface PlatformAPI {
  init(): Promise
  getCurrentUser(): Promise<{ id: string; displayName: string } | null>
  joinRoom(roomId: string): Promise
  leaveRoom(roomId: string): Promise
  sendSignal(roomId: string, payload: unknown): void
  onSignal(callback: (fromId: string, payload: unknown) => void): void
  shutdown(): Promise
}

Implement the legacy platform adapter as a thin shim that delegates to the proprietary SDK. Then implement a WebRTC/WebSocket adapter to replace it. This lets you swap implementations at runtime without touching app logic.

// src/platforms/MockAdapter.ts
import type { PlatformAPI } from './PlatformAPI'

export class MockAdapter implements PlatformAPI {
  private listeners: Array<(fromId: string, payload: unknown) => void> = []
  async init() { /* no-op */ }
  async getCurrentUser() { return { id: 'local', displayName: 'Local Dev' } }
  async joinRoom(roomId: string) { console.info('joined', roomId) }
  async leaveRoom(roomId: string) { console.info('left', roomId) }
  sendSignal(roomId: string, payload: unknown) { this.listeners.forEach(fn => fn('local', payload)) }
  onSignal(cb: (fromId: string, payload: unknown) => void) { this.listeners.push(cb) }
  async shutdown() { this.listeners = [] }
}

2) Safe data export: typed serializers and zipping assets

Users will expect a one-click export. Export formats should be typed: metadata in JSON, assets in glTF/PNG/MP4, and a manifest describing versions and provenance. Below is a TypeScript snippet that serializes an IndexedDB store and bundles assets with JSZip (server or client-side).

// src/utils/exporter.ts
import JSZip from 'jszip'

export type Workspace = {
  id: string
  name: string
  createdAt: string
  assets: Array<{ path: string; mime: string }>
  state: Record
}

export async function exportWorkspace(workspace: Workspace, assetFiles: Map) {
  const zip = new JSZip()
  zip.file('manifest.json', JSON.stringify(workspace, null, 2))
  for (const [path, blob] of assetFiles) {
    zip.file(path, blob)
  }
  const content = await zip.generateAsync({ type: 'blob' })
  // Trigger client download
  const url = URL.createObjectURL(content)
  const a = document.createElement('a')
  a.href = url
  a.download = `${workspace.name.replace(/\s+/g, '_')}_${workspace.id}.zip`
  document.body.appendChild(a)
  a.click()
  a.remove()
  URL.revokeObjectURL(url)
}

On the server, prefer streaming exports to S3 with server-side zipping if archives are large. Keep manifest versioning so future importers can handle schema changes.

3) Feature detection and fallback UX

Use runtime capability checks to decide which renderer and input model to use. Detect WebXR support and provide a smooth non-VR pathway for desktop/mobile users. For runtime capability checks and on-device validation, consider lightweight on-device tooling that surfaces device capabilities to your adapter layer.

// src/utils/capabilities.ts
export function supportsWebXR(): boolean {
  // navigator.xr is the standard hook for WebXR in browsers
  // Checking both presence and an isSessionSupported promise is robust
  const anyNav = (navigator as any)
  if (!anyNav.xr) return false
  // Note: isSessionSupported is async; call where needed
  return true
}

export async function isImmersiveVRSupported(): Promise {
  const anyNav = (navigator as any)
  if (!anyNav.xr || !anyNav.xr.isSessionSupported) return false
  try {
    return await anyNav.xr.isSessionSupported('immersive-vr')
  } catch {
    return false
  }
}

If WebXR is unavailable, fall back to a 2D WebGL canvas that uses pointer/mouse controls and a standard video/audio stack via WebRTC or HLS. Provide a UI toggle so users can switch between immersive and non-immersive modes.

Porting platform-specific features to open standards

Common platform features and how to map them to open APIs:

• Avatars: From proprietary avatar services to glTF avatars + blendshape mappings or EOS-based rigs. Store avatar metadata in JSON and load glTF using three.js or Babylon.js.
• Spatial audio: Move to WebAudio + PannerNode or use WebXR Audio Worklets (where supported). For cross-platform voice, WebRTC remains the best option.
• Room state & presence: Replace platform presence with a small realtime layer: WebSocket, WebRTC data channels, or a managed CRDT service (Yjs/Automerge) for shared state.
• Input abstractions: Translate platform controllers to the WebXR Gamepad API or map controller events to pointer-like abstractions for 2D fallbacks.

TypeScript migration and incremental adoption tips

If parts of your codebase are still JavaScript, adopt TypeScript incrementally:

• Enable allowJs and checkJs while you migrate modules one-by-one.
• Introduce strict types for platform boundaries (the adapter interface is a great starting point).
• Ship declaration (.d.ts) shims for proprietary SDKs so the rest of the app can be typed without waiting on third-party typings.
• Use isolatedModules and transform pipelines that support incremental compilation in CI.

// src/shims/horizon.d.ts
declare module 'horizon-sdk' {
  export function initHorizon(config: any): Promise
  export function getCurrentUser(): { id: string; displayName: string }
  // Minimal surface type coverage to keep the rest of your app typed
}

Testing the migration: an actionable plan

Quality gates and tests reduce rollback risk. Prioritize these automated and manual tests:

• Adapter unit tests: Mock low-level transports and assert adapter behavior.
• End-to-end (E2E) flows: Use real headsets or device farms for smoke tests. BrowserStack and device-labs now offer XR device testing as of 2025–26.
• Performance budgets: Keep frame times and audio latency within acceptable ranges; measure under WebXR and fallback modes.
• Import/export round-trips: Verify exported archives import correctly into the new system.

Governance, legal, and user communication

Platform shutdowns are as much about people as code. Keep legal and UX teams involved early.

• Data portability and retention: Align with GDPR/CCPA and regional 2024–2026 updates. Provide clear retention policies and deletion endpoints.
• Consent and re-auth: Offer simple OAuth re-consent flows if you re-provision identity providers or move to a federated auth model.
• Transparent timelines: Publish export windows, archive availability, and migration status updates to reduce support load.

Operational tips: minimize downtime and support load

• Run a read-only mirror of key content so users can still access histories and materials.
• Provide detailed SDK release notes and migration guides for integrators.
• Offer a command-line tool or admin UI for bulk exports and workspace transfers.

Case study sketch: moving a Workrooms-built app to WebXR (high-level)

Timeline: 90 days from announcement to production parity for core collaboration features.

1. Days 0–14: Export all workspaces; enable local export; provide read-only access to existing histories.
2. Days 15–45: Implement adapter layer and WebRTC-based voice; add a 2D canvas fallback; deploy beta to power users.
3. Days 46–90: Implement avatar glTF importer and WebXR session support; harden tests and roll out to all users with clear migration messaging.

2026 trends that should shape your decisions

• Platform consolidation: Expect more providers to pivot; design for multiple runtimes.
• Open standards maturity: WebXR + WebGPU integration and OpenXR support are now viable cross-platform targets.
• Edge and cloud rendering: For heavy scenes, server-side or edge-rendered frames are becoming cost-effective, enabling thin-client experiences.
• Privacy & portability: Legal frameworks are tightening; design exports and imports as first-class features.

Actionable takeaways

• Start exporting now: Implement immediate in-app and admin exports to protect user data.
• Abstract your platform: Build a TypeScript adapter layer to swap implementations with minimal app changes. See the micro-apps devops playbook for deployment patterns: micro-apps playbook.
• Ship a fallback: Desktop/mobile 2D and WebRTC fallbacks keep users productive while you migrate immersive features.
• Test early and often: Create CI smoke tests across runtimes and automate export/import validation.

Final checklist (copy-and-paste)

• Notify users and publish timelines
• Snapshot and archive all workspace data and assets
• Provide in-app export (ZIP + manifest)
• Introduce a TypeScript PlatformAPI adapter
• Implement WebXR/OpenXR + WebRTC fallbacks
• Ship 2D canvas fallback for non-VR users
• Audit and replace proprietary dependencies
• Automate tests: adapter unit tests and E2E on real devices
• Coordinate legal and UX for portability & retention

Closing: treat a shutdown as an opportunity

Platform shutdowns are painful, but they’re also forcing product teams to remove single points of failure and embrace portability. By prioritizing data export, building a TypeScript adapter layer, and shipping solid fallbacks, your WebXR app will be more resilient and future-proof — and your users will thank you for the continuity.

If you want a ready-to-run starter kit: I’ve published a migration checklist and a TypeScript adapter template that includes the export tool and WebXR/2D fallbacks. Get a migration audit from our team and reduce your platform risk with a small, focused investment.

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