> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bigbluebutton.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# BNX framework and feature enhancements

> Understand the BNX platform capabilities, extensibility architecture, feature evolution, and release history.

BNX (BigBlueButton BN Experience) is a foundational enhancement framework for BigBlueButton in Moodle. Rather than modifying Moodle core, BNX provides a layered extension architecture that improves usability, supports workflow customisation, and enables future innovation through a shared ecosystem of sidecars.

BNX is available as a Moodle plugin at [moodle.org/plugins/bbbext\_bnx](https://moodle.org/plugins/bbbext_bnx).

BNX provides:

* shared UX improvements across the activity interface
* an extensible enhancement architecture via sidecars
* advanced session management capabilities
* workflow customisation without intrusive core modifications
* shared infrastructure powering the BNX extension ecosystem

For the end-user activity interface changes introduced by BNX, see [BigBlueButton activity view with BNX](/integrations/moodle/bnx/activity-view).

## PreSession lobby access

BNX replaces the traditional **Wait for Moderator** behaviour with a moderated PreSession Lobby. Instead of being blocked at the join page, participants can enter the lobby and wait for a moderator to approve access.

Key aspects of the PreSession Lobby:

* participants are admitted to a waiting state rather than refused entry
* moderators review and approve access from within the session
* the workflow improves session readiness and coordination
* it removes the confusion caused by hard rejections in the core wait-for-moderator flow

## Enhanced recording experience

BNX replaces the legacy recordings table implementation with a modernised interface that scales better for activities with large recording collections.

Improvements include:

* searchable recordings table
* improved pagination and row-count controls
* inline editing for recording names and descriptions
* consistent playback format presentation
* better toolbar organisation and action clarity

For a full description of the recording interface, see [BigBlueButton activity view with BNX](/integrations/moodle/bnx/activity-view#enhanced-recordings-management).

## Integrated reminder management

Starting with BNX 1.1, the reminder functionality previously provided by the BN Reminders sidecar was consolidated into BNX. This gives administrators a single place to manage all reminder-related configuration.

Capabilities include:

* reminder scheduling tied to session dates
* email content customisation
* consolidated administration in the BNX activity settings

## Integrated lock settings controls

BNX 1.1 also absorbed the lock settings functionality previously managed by the `bnx_locksettings` sidecar.

Lock controls available through BNX include:

* webcam restrictions
* microphone restrictions
* chat controls
* shared notes restrictions
* lock-on-join behaviour

## Improved guest access workflow

BNX 1.0.1 introduced a dedicated guest access endpoint that replaces the Moodle core guest page in BNX contexts.

Improvements include:

* a dedicated `guest.php` endpoint with its own join form
* a custom URL builder for guest links
* improved logout and redirect handling after the session ends
* a cleaner guest experience consistent with the rest of the BNX activity presentation

## Smarter default configuration handling

BNX 1.0.1 added support for auto-applied defaults that are managed centrally rather than depending on individual sidecar configurations.

Benefits include:

* reduced repetitive manual configuration when creating activities
* consistent defaults applied across courses
* defaults managed independently of sidecar installation state

## Developer and extensibility improvements

BNX provides a shared foundation for sidecar development within the BNX extension ecosystem.

Developer-facing capabilities include:

* shared debug helpers for BNX sidecars
* reusable form customisation helpers for consistent mod form overrides
* sidecar architecture support enabling modular capability extensions
* improved maintainability through shared abstractions

## Release history

### BNX 1.1 — May 1, 2026

* Migrated BN Reminders functionality and reminder data into BNX, consolidating reminder settings and email customisation into the core BNX experience (MD-90, MD-104).
* Migrated lock settings controls from `bnx_locksettings` into BNX and absorbed the legacy sidecar configuration into BNX defaults (MD-107).
* Refactored mod form header label overrides into a reusable helper to simplify BNX-driven form customisations (MD-100).
* Added a shared developer debug helper for BNX sidecars.

### BNX 1.0.1 — April 1, 2026

* Added a BNX-specific guest access endpoint (`guest.php`) with its own join form, URL builder, and logout redirect flow, replacing the core guest page in BNX contexts (GIT-1).
* Hides BBB server setup instructions in the activity settings when credentials are pre-configured (MD-98).
* Improved recordings table UX (MD-94).
* Added support for auto-set default settings decoupled from sidecars (MD-95, MD-97).

### BNX 1.0 — March 11, 2026

* First stable open-source release of `bbbext_bnx`.
* Introduced the BNX Framework: BigBlueButton BN Experience is a foundational UX enhancement extension for BigBlueButton in Moodle, featuring moderator approval workflows and shared capabilities that power the BNX extension family.
* Added PreSession Lobby access, replacing the Wait for Moderator flow.
* Delivered an enhanced recording experience by improving the room recordings table and ensuring recording features work end-to-end.