---
url: /protocol-launcher/apps/skype.md
---

# Skype

[Skype](https://www.skype.com/) is a calling and messaging app. **Protocol Launcher** allows you to generate Skype URI links for opening Skype, starting calls, and opening chats.

## Usage

There are two ways to use this library:

* On-Demand import from subpaths enables tree-shaking and keeps bundles small.
* Full Import from the root package is convenient but includes all app modules.

Pick On-Demand for production builds; Full Import is fine for quick scripts or demos.

## Notes

Microsoft documents Skype URIs with the `skype:` scheme. Multiple call or chat participants are separated with semicolons. Audio call participants can be Skype Names or phone numbers; video calls and chats use Skype Names.

The optional `topic` argument is documented for conference calls and multi chats, and is URL-encoded by these helpers.

### Open Skype

Start Skype or switch focus to the Skype client.

```ts-vue [{{currentMethod}}]
import { {{ currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? 'open' : 'skype' }} } from '{{ importPath }}'

const url = {{currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? '' : 'skype.'}}open()
```

### Implicit Audio Call

Start an audio call using the implicit Skype URI form.

```ts-vue [{{currentMethod}}]
import { {{ currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? 'implicitCall' : 'skype' }} } from '{{ importPath }}'

const url = {{currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? '' : 'skype.'}}implicitCall({
  participants: 'skype.test.user.1',
})
```

### Audio Call

Start an explicit audio call. The official `topic` argument applies to conference calls only.

```ts-vue [{{currentMethod}}]
import { {{ currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? 'call' : 'skype' }} } from '{{ importPath }}'

const url = {{currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? '' : 'skype.'}}call({
  participants: ['skype.test.user.1', 'skype.test.user.2', '+16505550123'],
  topic: 'Geek Conspiracy',
})
```

### Video Call

Start a Skype call and turn on video.

```ts-vue [{{currentMethod}}]
import { {{ currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? 'videoCall' : 'skype' }} } from '{{ importPath }}'

const url = {{currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? '' : 'skype.'}}videoCall({
  participants: 'skype.test.user.1',
})
```

### Chat

Open or create a Skype chat. The official `topic` argument applies to multi chats only.

```ts-vue [{{currentMethod}}]
import { {{ currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? 'chat' : 'skype' }} } from '{{ importPath }}'

const url = {{currentMethod === 'On-Demand' ? '' : 'skype.'}}chat({
  participants: ['skype.test.user.1', 'skype.test.user.2'],
  topic: 'Quantum Mechanics 101',
})
```

## Official Documentation

* [Skype URI API reference](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/skype-sdk/skypeuris/skypeuriapireference)