Groups
Overview
CometChatGroups
functions as a standalone Widget designed to create a screen displaying a list of groups, with the added functionality of enabling users to search for specific groups. Acting as a container widget, CometChatGroups
encapsulates and formats the CometChatListBase
and CometChatGroupList
widgets without introducing any additional behavior of its own.

The CometChatGroups
widget is composed of the following BaseWidget:
Widgets | Description |
---|---|
CometChatListBase | CometChatListBase serves as a container widget equipped with a title (navigationBar), search functionality (search-bar), background settings, and a container for embedding a list view. |
CometChatListItem | This widget renders information extracted from a Group object onto a tile, featuring a title, subtitle, leading view, and trailing view. |
Usage
Integration
As CometChatGroups
is a custom widget, it can be launched directly by user actions such as button clicks or other interactions.
You can launch CometChatGroups
directly using Navigator.push
, or you can define it as a widget within the build
method of your State
class.
1. Using Navigator to Launch CometChatGroups
- Dart
Navigator.push(context, MaterialPageRoute(builder: (context) => const CometChatGroups()));
2. Embedding CometChatGroups
as a Widget in the build Method
- Dart
import 'package:cometchat_chat_uikit/cometchat_chat_uikit.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
class Groups extends StatefulWidget {
const Groups({super.key});
State<Groups> createState() => _GroupsState();
}
class _GroupsState extends State<Groups> {
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return const Scaffold(
body: SafeArea(
child: CometChatGroups()
)
);
}
}
Actions
Actions dictate how a widget functions. They are divided into two types: Predefined and User-defined. You can override either type, allowing you to tailor the behavior of the widget to fit your specific needs.
1. onItemTap
This method proves valuable when users seek to override onItemTap functionality within CometChatGroups, empowering them with greater control and customization options.
The onItemTap
action doesn't have a predefined behavior. You can override this action using the following code snippet.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
onItemTap: (context, group) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
},
)
2. onBack
Enhance your application's functionality by leveraging the onBack
feature. This capability allows you to customize the behavior associated with navigating back within your app. Utilize the provided code snippet to override default behaviors and tailor the user experience according to your specific requirements.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
onBack: () {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
},
)
3. onError
You can customize this behavior by using the provided code snippet to override the onError
and improve error handling.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
onError: (e) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
},
)
4. onItemLongPress
This method becomes invaluable when users seek to override long-click functionality within CometChatGroups, offering them enhanced control and flexibility in their interactions.
The onItemLongPress
action doesn't have a predefined behavior. You can override this action using the following code snippet.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
onItemLongPress: (context, group) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
},
)
5. onSelection
When the onSelection
event is triggered, it furnishes the list of selected groups. This event can be invoked by any button or action within the interface. You have the flexibility to implement custom actions or behaviors based on the selected groups.
This action does not come with any predefined behavior. However, you have the flexibility to override this event and tailor it to suit your needs using the following code snippet.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
selectionMode: SelectionMode.multiple,
activateSelection: ActivateSelection.onClick,
onSelection: (groupList) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
)
onLoad
Invoked when the list is successfully fetched and loaded, helping track component readiness.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
onLoad: (list) {
// print("Groups loaded: ${list.length}");
},
)
onEmpty
Called when the list is empty, enabling custom handling such as showing a placeholder message.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
onEmpty: () {
// print("Groups empty");
},
)
Filters
Filters allow you to customize the data displayed in a list within a Component. You can filter the list based on your specific criteria, allowing for a more customized. Filters can be applied using RequestBuilders of Chat SDK.
1. GroupsRequestBuilder
The GroupsRequestBuilder enables you to filter and customize the group list based on available parameters in GroupsRequestBuilder. This feature allows you to create more specific and targeted queries when fetching groups. The following are the parameters available in GroupsRequestBuilder
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
groupsRequestBuilder: GroupsRequestBuilder()
..limit = 10
)
Property | Description | Code |
---|---|---|
Joined Only | Flag to include only joined groups. Defaults to false . | joinedOnly: bool |
Limit | Number of results to limit the query. | limit: int |
Search Keyword | Keyword for searching groups. | searchKeyword: String |
Tags | Tags for filtering groups. | tags: List<String> |
With Tags | Flag to include tags in the results. Defaults to false . | withTags: bool |
Events
Events are emitted by a CometChatGroups
Widget. By using event you can extend existing functionality. Being global events, they can be applied in Multiple Locations and are capable of being Added or Removed.
The list of events emitted by the CometChatGroups
widget is as follows.
Events | Description |
---|---|
ccGroupCreated | This gets triggered when the logged in user creates a group. |
ccGroupDeleted | This gets triggered when the logged in user deletes a group. |
ccGroupLeft | This gets triggered when the logged in user leaves a group. |
ccGroupMemberScopeChanged | This gets triggered when the logged in user changes the scope of another group member. |
ccGroupMemberBanned | This gets triggered when the logged in user bans a group member from the group. |
ccGroupMemberKicked | This gets triggered when the logged in user kicks another group member from the group. |
ccGroupMemberUnbanned | This gets triggered when the logged in user unbans a user banned from the group. |
ccGroupMemberJoined | This gets triggered when the logged in user joins a group. |
ccGroupMemberAdded | This gets triggered when the logged in user adds new members to the group. |
ccOwnershipChanged | This gets triggered when the logged in user transfers the ownership of their group to some other member. |
- Dart
import 'package:cometchat_chat_uikit/cometchat_chat_uikit.dart';
import 'package:cometchat_sdk/models/action.dart' as cc;
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
class YourScreen extends StatefulWidget {
const YourScreen({super.key});
State<YourScreen> createState() => _YourScreenState();
}
class _YourScreenState extends State<YourScreen> with CometChatGroupEventListener {
void initState() {
super.initState();
CometChatGroupEvents.addGroupsListener("listenerId", this); // Add the listener
}
void dispose(){
super.dispose();
CometChatGroupEvents.removeGroupsListener("listenerId"); // Remove the listener
}
void ccGroupCreated(Group group) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupDeleted(Group group) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupLeft(cc.Action message, User leftUser, Group leftGroup) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupMemberScopeChanged(cc.Action message, User updatedUser, String scopeChangedTo, String scopeChangedFrom, Group group) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupMemberBanned(cc.Action message, User bannedUser, User bannedBy, Group bannedFrom) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupMemberKicked(cc.Action message, User kickedUser, User kickedBy, Group kickedFrom) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupMemberUnbanned(cc.Action message, User unbannedUser, User unbannedBy, Group unbannedFrom) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupMemberJoined(User joinedUser, Group joinedGroup) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccGroupMemberAdded(List<cc.Action> messages, List<User> usersAdded, Group groupAddedIn, User addedBy) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
void ccOwnershipChanged(Group group, GroupMember newOwner) {
// TODO("Not yet implemented")
}
Widget build(BuildContext context) {
return const Placeholder();
}
}
Customization
To fit your app's design requirements, you can customize the appearance of the groups widget. We provide exposed methods that allow you to modify the experience and behavior according to your specific needs.
Style
Enhance your CometChatGroups
Widget by setting the CometChatGroupsStyle
to customize its appearance.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
groupsStyle: CometChatGroupsStyle(
avatarStyle: CometChatAvatarStyle(
borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(8),
backgroundColor: Color(0xFFFBAA75),
),
titleTextColor: Color(0xFFF76808),
separatorColor: Color(0xFFF76808),
),
)

Functionality
These are a set of small functional customizations that allow you to fine-tune the overall experience of the widget. With these, you can change text, set custom icons, and toggle the visibility of UI elements.

- Dart
CometChatGroups(
title: "Your Title",
backButton: Icon(Icons.add_alert, color: Color(0xFF6851D6)),
searchPlaceholder: "Search Group",
)
List of properties exposed by CometChatGroups
Property | Data Type | Description |
---|---|---|
groupsProtocol | GroupsBuilderProtocol? | Custom groups request builder protocol. |
groupsRequestBuilder | GroupsRequestBuilder? | Custom request builder for fetching groups. |
subtitleView | Widget? Function(BuildContext, Group)? | Widget to set subtitle for each group item. |
listItemView | Widget Function(Group)? | Custom view for each group item. |
groupsStyle | CometChatGroupsStyle? | Styling options for the groups list. |
scrollController | ScrollController? | Controller for scrolling the list. |
searchPlaceholder | String? | Placeholder text for the search input box. |
backButton | Widget? | Widget for the back button in the app bar. |
showBackButton | bool | Flag to show/hide the back button. |
searchBoxIcon | Widget? | Widget for the search box icon. |
hideSearch | bool | Flag to show/hide the search input box. |
selectionMode | SelectionMode? | Mode defining how groups can be selected. |
onSelection | Function(List<Group>?)? | Callback for handling group selection. |
title | String? | Title of the widget. |
stateCallBack | Function(CometChatGroupsController)? | Callback to access controller functions. |
hideError | bool? | Toggle visibility of error dialog. |
loadingStateView | WidgetBuilder? | View displayed during loading state. |
emptyStateView | WidgetBuilder? | View displayed when the list is empty. |
errorStateView | WidgetBuilder? | View displayed when an error occurs. |
appBarOptions | List<Widget> Function(BuildContext)? | Options available in the app bar. |
passwordGroupIcon | Widget? | Widget for password-protected group icon. |
privateGroupIcon | Widget? | Widget for private group icon. |
activateSelection | ActivateSelection? | Controls whether selection is allowed. |
onBack | VoidCallback? | Callback triggered when going back. |
onItemTap | Function(BuildContext, Group)? | Callback triggered when tapping a group. |
onItemLongPress | Function(BuildContext, Group)? | Callback triggered on long press of a group. |
onError | OnError? | Callback for handling errors. |
submitIcon | Widget? | Widget for displaying the submit icon. |
hideAppbar | bool | Flag to show/hide the app bar. |
controllerTag | String? | Identifier tag for controller management. |
height | double? | Height of the widget. |
width | double? | Width of the widget. |
searchKeyword | String? | Keyword used to fetch initial group list. |
onLoad | OnLoad<Group>? | Callback triggered when the list loads. |
onEmpty | OnEmpty? | Callback triggered when the list is empty. |
groupTypeVisibility | bool | Hide the group type icon visible on the group icon. |
setOptions | List<CometChatOption>? Function(Group, CometChatGroupsController, BuildContext)? | Actions available on long-press of a group. |
addOptions | List<CometChatOption>? Function(Group, CometChatGroupsController, BuildContext)? | Additional long-press actions for groups. |
titleView | Widget? Function(BuildContext, Group)? | Custom title view for each group. |
leadingView | Widget? Function(BuildContext, Group)? | Widget for the leading section of each group. |
trailingView | Widget? Function(BuildContext, Group)? | Widget for the trailing section of each group. |
Advance
For advanced-level customization, you can set custom views to the widget. This lets you tailor each aspect of the widget to fit your exact needs and application aesthetics. You can create and define your own widget and then incorporate those into the widget.
setOptions
This method sets a predefined list of actions that users can perform when they long press a user in the list. These options typically include:
- Enable actions like "Mute Notifications", "Leave Group", "Pin Group".
- Provide admin-only actions like "Manage Members", "Delete Group".
By customizing these options, developers can provide a streamlined and contextually relevant user experience
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
setOptions: (group, controller, context) {
// return options
},
)
addOptions
This method extends the existing set of actions available when users long press a group item. Unlike setOptionsDefines, which replaces the default options, addOptionsAdds allows developers to append additional actions without removing the default ones. Example use cases include:
- Adding a "Report Spam" action
- Introducing a "Save to Notes" option
- Integrating third-party actions such as "Share to Cloud Storage"
This method provides flexibility in modifying user interaction capabilities.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
addOptions: (group, controller, context) {
// return options
},
)
loadingStateView
Configures a custom loading view displayed while groups are being fetched.
- Show a spinner with "Loading groups..." text.
- Display a skeleton loader for a smooth UI experience.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
loadingStateView: (context) {
// return loading view
},
)
emptyStateView
Defines a view that appears when no groups are available.
- Show a message like "No groups found, create one now!".
- Display an illustration with a "Create New Group" button.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
emptyStateView: (context) {
// return empty view
},
)
errorStateView
Configures the UI when an error occurs while fetching groups.
- Display a retry button with "Failed to load groups, try again.".
- Show a friendly error illustration.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
errorStateView: (context) {
// return error view
},
)
leadingView
Sets a custom leading view that appears at the start of each group item.
- Display the group profile picture.
- Add an icon indicating Public or Private groups.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
leadingView: (context, group) {
// return leading view
},
)
titleView
Customizes the title view of each group item, which typically displays the group name.
- Style group names with custom fonts and colors.
- Show a verified badge for official groups.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
titleView: (context, group) {
// return title view
},
)
trailingView
Allows custom elements to be added at the end of each group item, such as buttons or indicators.
- Show unread message counts.
- Add a quick Join or Leave button.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
trailingView: (context, group) {
// return trailing view
},
)
ListItemView
With this function, you can assign a custom ListItem to the CometChatGroups
Widget.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
listItemView: (group) {
return Placeholder(); // Replace this placeholder with your custom widget.
},
)
Example
Here is the complete example for reference:
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
listItemView: (group) {
return ListTile(
title: Text(
group.name,
style: TextStyle(
fontSize: 16,
fontWeight: FontWeight.w500,
),
),
subtitle: Text(
"${group.membersCount} Members • ${group.description}",
overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
style: TextStyle(
fontSize: 14,
fontWeight: FontWeight.w400,
color: Color(0XFF727272),
),
),
trailing: ElevatedButton(
onPressed: () {
CometChat.joinGroup(
group.guid,
group.type,
onSuccess: (group) {
//handle success, for example, show a toast or navigate to a new screen
},
onError: (excep) {
//handle exception, for example, show an error toast or dialog
},
);
},
child: Text(
"JOIN",
style: TextStyle(
color: Color(0xFF6852D6),
fontSize: 12,
fontWeight: FontWeight.w500,
letterSpacing: 0),
),
style: ElevatedButton.styleFrom(
backgroundColor: Color(0xFFEDEAFA),
elevation: 0,
padding: EdgeInsets.symmetric(horizontal: 12, vertical: 4),
visualDensity: VisualDensity.compact,
shape: RoundedRectangleBorder(
borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(1000),
),
)),
);
},
);

SubtitleView
You can customize the subtitle view for each item to meet your specific preferences and needs.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
subtitleView: (context, group) {
return Text(
"${group.membersCount} Members • ${group.description}",
overflow: TextOverflow.ellipsis,
style: TextStyle(
fontSize: 14,
fontWeight: FontWeight.w400,
color: Color(0XFF727272),
),
);
},
)

AppBarOptions
You can set the Custom appBarOptions
to the CometChatGroups
widget.
- Dart
CometChatGroups(
appBarOptions: (context) {
return [
IconButton(
onPressed: () {},
icon: Icon(
Icons.group_add,
color: Color(0xFF6852D6),
),
),
];
},
)
