matrix-org / matrix-org/matrix-spec

Inconsistency of `m.room.power_levels` definition with room verion 12 (MSC4289)

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Description

**Link to problem area**:
Spec: https://spec.matrix.org/v1.19/client-server-api/#mroompower_levels
MSC: [MSC4289](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/issues/4289)

**Issue**
The definition of `m.room.power_levels` in the Client-Server API contains the following:
> If the room contains no m.room.power_levels event, the room’s creator has a **power level of 100**, and all other users have a power level of 0.

This is not compatible with [room version 12](https://spec.matrix.org/v1.19/rooms/v12/#authorisation-rules) / [MSC4289](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/issues/4289), which specifies room creators to have an **infinite PL**.

**Expected behaviour**
`m.room.power_levels` should not contradict room version 12.
There probably needs to be a distinction between pre-v12 rooms and v12-and-later rooms in place of the current wording.

A more fundamental question would be: Should these definitions of what exactly the default PLs under which circumstances are even be part of the Client-Server API? Wouldn't they be better placed in the Room Version?

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start with the Client-Server API definition of m.room.power_levels and compare its default power-level wording with the room version 12 authorisation rules and MSC4289. Determine how pre-v12 and v12-and-later rooms should be described, and whether the defaults belong in the Client-Server API or room-version documentation. Done means the specification no longer contradicts room version 12 and the chosen scope is documented.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Domain
documentation
Issue type
Documentation
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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