Realtime migrationChecklist5 min

Plan a beta-to-GA Realtime migration

A migration checklist for teams moving voice or realtime experiences onto the current OpenAI Realtime API shape.

Real example

Example: migrate a call-center prototype without breaking calls

A team built on a beta Realtime event shape. The app works in demos but production migration changes session configuration and event handling.

Create a compatibility checklist: session creation, audio input, audio output, transcript events, tool events, interruption handling, and error paths. Test both the old and new flow against the same call scripts.

The migration becomes a controlled release instead of a risky rewrite hidden inside audio code.

Tutorial path

How to implement it

Step 01

Inventory current session creation, event listeners, audio handling, and transcript storage.

Step 02

Map renamed or changed events into a compatibility layer while testing.

Step 03

Verify session configuration for audio input, audio output, model, and tools.

Step 04

Run browser, headset, interruption, network-loss, and handoff tests.

Step 05

Roll out behind a flag and watch connection failures separately from model quality.

Checklist

Ready when these are true

Event map documented

Audio paths verified

Network fallback tested

Rollout flag exists

Connection metrics tracked

Field notes

What matters in practice

Realtime migrations are risky because they affect connection setup, event handling, and user experience.

Keep the old and new event paths comparable until call quality is verified.

A session schema change should be tested against browser and server assumptions.

Avoid these mistakes

Common failure modes

Do not update event names without testing every listener.

Do not validate only the first successful connection.

Do not roll out without metrics for connection failure and dropped sessions.

Practical tip

Record short test calls before migration. They become the fastest way to compare user experience after changes.

Apply this to a build