Room list: add custom section creation (#33155)

* feat: add creation section dialog

* feat: add in skip list a method to change filters

* feat: add helper to creation section

* feat: add custom sections data to Settings

* feat: add custom section to room list store v3

* feat: update header and room list item vms

* feat: add toast to room list vm

* feat: add new translation

* chore: move util functions of room list specs

* test: add custom section playwright tests

* chore: call loadCustomSections in RoomListStoreV3 ctor

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-custom-sections.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+ * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
+ */
+
+import { type Page } from "@playwright/test";
+
+import { expect, test } from "../../../element-web-test";
+import { getRoomList, getRoomListHeader, getSectionHeader } from "./utils";
+
+test.describe("Room list custom sections", () => {
+    test.use({
+        displayName: "Alice",
+        labsFlags: ["feature_new_room_list", "feature_room_list_sections"],
+        botCreateOpts: {
+            displayName: "BotBob",
+            autoAcceptInvites: true,
+        },
+    });
+
+    /**
+     * Create a custom section via the header compose menu and dialog.
+     * @param page
+     * @param sectionName The name of the section to create
+     */
+    async function createCustomSection(page: Page, sectionName: string): Promise<void> {
+        const composeMenu = getRoomListHeader(page).getByRole("button", { name: "New conversation" });
+        await composeMenu.click();
+        await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New section" }).click();
+
+        // Fill in the section name in the dialog
+        const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Create a section" });
+        await expect(dialog).toBeVisible();
+        await dialog.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Section name" }).fill(sectionName);
+        await dialog.getByRole("button", { name: "Create section" }).click();
+
+        // Wait for the dialog to close
+        await expect(dialog).not.toBeVisible();
+    }
+
+    test.beforeEach(async ({ page, app, user }) => {
+        // The notification toast is displayed above the search section
+        await app.closeNotificationToast();
+
+        // Focus the user menu to avoid hover decoration
+        await page.getByRole("button", { name: "User menu" }).focus();
+    });
+
+    test.describe("Section creation", () => {
+        test("should create a custom section via the header compose menu", async ({ page, app }) => {
+            await app.client.createRoom({ name: "my room" });
+
+            await createCustomSection(page, "Work");
+
+            // The custom section header should be visible (even though it is empty)
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Work")).toBeVisible();
+            // The Chats section should also be visible
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Chats")).toBeVisible();
+        });
+
+        test("should show 'Section created' toast after creating a section", async ({ page, app }) => {
+            await app.client.createRoom({ name: "my room" });
+
+            await createCustomSection(page, "Personal");
+
+            // The "Section created" toast should appear
+            await expect(page.getByText("Section created")).toBeVisible();
+        });
+
+        test("should create a custom section via the room option menu", async ({ page, app }) => {
+            await app.client.createRoom({ name: "my room" });
+
+            const roomList = getRoomList(page);
+            const roomItem = roomList.getByRole("option", { name: "Open room my room" });
+            await expect(roomItem).toBeVisible();
+
+            // Open the More Options menu
+            await roomItem.hover();
+            await roomItem.getByRole("button", { name: "More Options" }).click();
+
+            // Open the "Move to" submenu
+            await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Move to" }).hover();
+
+            // Click on "New section"
+            await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New section" }).click();
+
+            // Fill in the section name in the dialog
+            const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Create a section" });
+            await expect(dialog).toBeVisible();
+            await dialog.getByRole("textbox", { name: "Section name" }).fill("Projects");
+            await dialog.getByRole("button", { name: "Create section" }).click();
+
+            // Wait for the dialog to close
+            await expect(dialog).not.toBeVisible();
+
+            // The custom section should be created
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Projects")).toBeVisible();
+        });
+
+        test("should cancel section creation when dialog is dismissed", async ({ page, app }) => {
+            await app.client.createRoom({ name: "my room" });
+
+            const composeMenu = getRoomListHeader(page).getByRole("button", { name: "New conversation" });
+            await composeMenu.click();
+            await page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New section" }).click();
+
+            // The dialog should appear
+            const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Create a section" });
+            await expect(dialog).toBeVisible();
+
+            // Cancel the dialog
+            await dialog.getByRole("button", { name: "Cancel" }).click();
+
+            // The dialog should close
+            await expect(dialog).not.toBeVisible();
+
+            // No custom section should be created - should remain a flat list
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Chats")).not.toBeVisible();
+        });
+
+        test("should create multiple custom sections", async ({ page, app }) => {
+            await app.client.createRoom({ name: "my room" });
+
+            await createCustomSection(page, "Work");
+            await createCustomSection(page, "Personal");
+
+            // Both custom sections should be visible
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Work")).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Personal")).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Chats")).toBeVisible();
+        });
+    });
+
+    test.describe("Custom section display", () => {
+        test("should show empty custom sections", async ({ page, app }) => {
+            // Create a room so the Chats section has something
+            await app.client.createRoom({ name: "my room" });
+
+            await createCustomSection(page, "Empty Section");
+
+            // The custom section should be visible even with no rooms
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Empty Section")).toBeVisible();
+            // The room should still be in the Chats section
+            const roomList = getRoomList(page);
+            await expect(roomList.getByRole("row", { name: "Open room my room" })).toBeVisible();
+        });
+
+        test("should display custom sections between Favourites and Chats", async ({ page, app }) => {
+            // Create a favourite room
+            const favouriteId = await app.client.createRoom({ name: "favourite room" });
+            await app.client.evaluate(async (client, roomId) => {
+                await client.setRoomTag(roomId, "m.favourite");
+            }, favouriteId);
+
+            // Create a low priority room
+            const lowPrioId = await app.client.createRoom({ name: "low prio room" });
+            await app.client.evaluate(async (client, roomId) => {
+                await client.setRoomTag(roomId, "m.lowpriority");
+            }, lowPrioId);
+
+            // Create a regular room
+            await app.client.createRoom({ name: "regular room" });
+
+            // Create a custom section
+            await createCustomSection(page, "Work");
+
+            // All section headers should be visible
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Favourites")).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Work")).toBeVisible();
+            // Should be expanded by default
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Work")).toHaveAttribute("aria-expanded", "true");
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Chats")).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(getSectionHeader(page, "Low Priority")).toBeVisible();
+        });
+    });
+});

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-filter-sort.spec.ts

@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@
  */
 
 import { type Visibility } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/matrix";
-import { type Locator, type Page } from "@playwright/test";
+import { type Page } from "@playwright/test";
 
 import { expect, test } from "../../../element-web-test";
 import { SettingLevel } from "../../../../src/settings/SettingLevel";
+import { getFilterCollapseButton, getFilterExpandButton, getPrimaryFilters, getRoomOptionsMenu } from "./utils";
 
 test.describe("Room list filters and sort", () => {
     test.use({
@@ -21,22 +22,6 @@ test.describe("Room list filters and sort", () => {
         labsFlags: ["feature_new_room_list"],
     });
 
-    function getPrimaryFilters(page: Page): Locator {
-        return page.getByTestId("primary-filters");
-    }
-
-    function getRoomOptionsMenu(page: Page): Locator {
-        return page.getByRole("button", { name: "Room Options" });
-    }
-
-    function getFilterExpandButton(page: Page): Locator {
-        return getPrimaryFilters(page).getByRole("button", { name: "Expand filter list" });
-    }
-
-    function getFilterCollapseButton(page: Page): Locator {
-        return getPrimaryFilters(page).getByRole("button", { name: "Collapse filter list" });
-    }
-
     /**
      * Get the room list
      * @param page

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-header.spec.ts

@@ -6,21 +6,13 @@
  */
 
 import { test, expect } from "../../../element-web-test";
-import type { Page } from "@playwright/test";
+import { getHeaderSection } from "./utils";
 
 test.describe("Header section of the room list", () => {
     test.use({
         labsFlags: ["feature_new_room_list"],
     });
 
-    /**
-     * Get the header section of the room list
-     * @param page
-     */
-    function getHeaderSection(page: Page) {
-        return page.getByTestId("room-list-header");
-    }
-
     test.beforeEach(async ({ page, app, user }) => {
         // The notification toast is displayed above the search section
         await app.closeNotificationToast();

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-panel.spec.ts

@@ -5,23 +5,14 @@
  * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
  */
 
-import { type Page } from "@playwright/test";
-
 import { test, expect } from "../../../element-web-test";
+import { getRoomListView } from "./utils";
 
 test.describe("Room list panel", () => {
     test.use({
         labsFlags: ["feature_new_room_list"],
     });
 
-    /**
-     * Get the room list view
-     * @param page
-     */
-    function getRoomListView(page: Page) {
-        return page.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Room list" });
-    }
-
     test.beforeEach(async ({ page, app, user }) => {
         // The notification toast is displayed above the search section
         await app.closeNotificationToast();

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-search.spec.ts

@@ -5,23 +5,14 @@
  * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
  */
 
-import { type Page } from "@playwright/test";
-
 import { test, expect } from "../../../element-web-test";
+import { getSearchSection } from "./utils";
 
 test.describe("Search section of the room list", () => {
     test.use({
         labsFlags: ["feature_new_room_list"],
     });
 
-    /**
-     * Get the search section of the room list
-     * @param page
-     */
-    function getSearchSection(page: Page) {
-        return page.getByRole("search");
-    }
-
     test.beforeEach(async ({ page, app, user }) => {
         // The notification toast is displayed above the search section
         await app.closeNotificationToast();

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list-sections.spec.ts

@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@
  * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
  */
 
-import { type Locator, type Page } from "@playwright/test";
-
 import { expect, test } from "../../../element-web-test";
+import { getPrimaryFilters, getRoomList, getSectionHeader } from "./utils";
 
 test.describe("Room list sections", () => {
     test.use({
@@ -19,34 +18,6 @@ test.describe("Room list sections", () => {
         },
     });
 
-    /**
-     * Get the room list
-     * @param page
-     */
-    function getRoomList(page: Page): Locator {
-        return page.getByTestId("room-list");
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Get the primary filters
-     * @param page
-     */
-    function getPrimaryFilters(page: Page): Locator {
-        return page.getByTestId("primary-filters");
-    }
-
-    /**
-     * Get a section header toggle button by section name
-     * @param page
-     * @param sectionName The display name of the section (e.g. "Favourites", "Chats", "Low Priority")
-     * @param isUnread Whether to look for the unread version of the section header
-     */
-    function getSectionHeader(page: Page, sectionName: string, isUnread = false): Locator {
-        return getRoomList(page).getByRole("gridcell", {
-            name: isUnread ? `Toggle ${sectionName} section with unread room(s)` : `Toggle ${sectionName} section`,
-        });
-    }
-
     test.beforeEach(async ({ page, app, user }) => {
         // The notification toast is displayed above the search section
         await app.closeNotificationToast();

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/room-list.spec.ts

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import { type Page } from "@playwright/test";
 import { expect, test } from "../../../element-web-test";
 import { type Bot } from "../../../pages/bot";
 import { type ElementAppPage } from "../../../pages/ElementAppPage";
+import { getRoomList } from "./utils";
 
 test.describe("Room list", () => {
     test.use({
@@ -20,14 +21,6 @@ test.describe("Room list", () => {
         },
     });
 
-    /**
-     * Get the room list
-     * @param page
-     */
-    function getRoomList(page: Page) {
-        return page.getByTestId("room-list");
-    }
-
     test.beforeEach(async ({ page, app, user }) => {
         // The notification toast is displayed above the search section
         await app.closeNotificationToast();

apps/web/playwright/e2e/left-panel/room-list-panel/utils.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+ * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
+ */
+
+import { type Locator, type Page } from "@playwright/test";
+
+/**
+ * Get the room list
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getRoomList(page: Page): Locator {
+    return page.getByTestId("room-list");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the room list header
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getRoomListHeader(page: Page): Locator {
+    return page.getByTestId("room-list-header");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get a section header toggle button by section name
+ * @param page
+ * @param sectionName The display name of the section
+ * @param isUnread Whether to look for the unread version of the section header
+ */
+export function getSectionHeader(page: Page, sectionName: string, isUnread = false): Locator {
+    return getRoomList(page).getByRole("gridcell", {
+        name: isUnread ? `Toggle ${sectionName} section with unread room(s)` : `Toggle ${sectionName} section`,
+    });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the primary filters container
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getPrimaryFilters(page: Page): Locator {
+    return page.getByTestId("primary-filters");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the room options menu button in the room list header
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getRoomOptionsMenu(page: Page): Locator {
+    return page.getByRole("button", { name: "Room Options" });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the filter list expand button in the room list header
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getFilterExpandButton(page: Page): Locator {
+    return getPrimaryFilters(page).getByRole("button", { name: "Expand filter list" });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the filter list collapse button in the room list header
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getFilterCollapseButton(page: Page): Locator {
+    return getPrimaryFilters(page).getByRole("button", { name: "Collapse filter list" });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the header section of the room list
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getHeaderSection(page: Page) {
+    return page.getByTestId("room-list-header");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the room list view
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getRoomListView(page: Page) {
+    return page.getByRole("navigation", { name: "Room list" });
+}
+
+/**
+ * Get the search section of the room list
+ * @param page
+ */
+export function getSearchSection(page: Page) {
+    return page.getByRole("search");
+}

apps/web/res/css/_components.pcss

@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@
 @import "./views/dialogs/_ConfirmSpaceUserActionDialog.pcss";
 @import "./views/dialogs/_ConfirmUserActionDialog.pcss";
 @import "./views/dialogs/_CreateRoomDialog.pcss";
+@import "./views/dialogs/_CreateSectionDialog.pcss";
 @import "./views/dialogs/_CreateSubspaceDialog.pcss";
 @import "./views/dialogs/_Crypto.pcss";
 @import "./views/dialogs/_DeactivateAccountDialog.pcss";

apps/web/res/css/views/dialogs/_CreateSectionDialog.pcss

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+ * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
+ */
+
+.mx_CreateSectionDialog {
+    color: var(--cpd-color-text-primary);
+
+    &.mx_Dialog_fixedWidth {
+        /* 576px coming from Figma and remove external padding */
+        max-width: calc(576px - var(--cpd-space-20x));
+    }
+
+    .mx_CreateSectionDialog_content {
+        min-height: 346px;
+    }
+
+    .mx_CreateSectionDialog_form {
+        width: 100%;
+    }
+}

apps/web/src/components/views/dialogs/CreateSectionDialog.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+ * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
+ */
+
+import React, { useState, type JSX } from "react";
+import { Flex } from "@element-hq/web-shared-components";
+import { Form, Text } from "@vector-im/compound-web";
+
+import BaseDialog from "./BaseDialog";
+import DialogButtons from "../elements/DialogButtons";
+import { _t } from "../../../languageHandler";
+
+interface CreateSectionDialogProps {
+    /**
+     * Callback called when the dialog is closed.
+     * @param shouldCreateSection Whether a section should be created or not. This will be false if the user cancels the dialog.
+     * @param sectionName The name of the section to create.
+     */
+    onFinished: (shouldCreateSection: boolean, sectionName: string) => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Dialog shown to the user to create a new section in the room list.
+ */
+export function CreateSectionDialog({ onFinished }: CreateSectionDialogProps): JSX.Element {
+    const [value, setValue] = useState("");
+    const isInvalid = Boolean(value.trim().length === 0);
+
+    return (
+        <BaseDialog
+            className="mx_CreateSectionDialog"
+            onFinished={() => onFinished(false, value)}
+            title={_t("create_section_dialog|title")}
+            hasCancel={true}
+        >
+            <Flex gap="var(--cpd-space-6x)" direction="column" className="mx_CreateSectionDialog_content">
+                <Text as="span" weight="semibold">
+                    {_t("create_section_dialog|description")}
+                </Text>
+                <Form.Root
+                    className="mx_CreateSectionDialog_form"
+                    onSubmit={(e) => {
+                        onFinished(true, value);
+                        e.preventDefault();
+                    }}
+                >
+                    <Form.Field name="sectionName">
+                        <Form.Label> {_t("create_section_dialog|label")}</Form.Label>
+                        <Form.TextControl onChange={(evt) => setValue(evt.target.value)} required={true} />
+                    </Form.Field>
+                </Form.Root>
+            </Flex>
+            <DialogButtons
+                primaryButton={_t("create_section_dialog|create_section")}
+                primaryDisabled={isInvalid}
+                hasCancel={true}
+                onCancel={() => onFinished(false, "")}
+                onPrimaryButtonClick={() => onFinished(true, value)}
+            />
+        </BaseDialog>
+    );
+}

apps/web/src/i18n/strings/en_EN.json

@@ -681,6 +681,12 @@
         "unfederated_label_default_on": "You might disable this if the room will be used for collaborating with external teams who have their own homeserver. This cannot be changed later.",
         "unsupported_version": "The server does not support the room version specified."
     },
+    "create_section_dialog": {
+        "create_section": "Create section",
+        "description": "Sections are only for you",
+        "label": "Section name",
+        "title": "Create a section"
+    },
     "create_space": {
         "add_details_prompt": "Add some details to help people recognise it.",
         "add_details_prompt_2": "You can change these anytime.",

apps/web/src/settings/Settings.tsx

@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ import InviteRulesConfigController from "./controllers/InviteRulesConfigControll
 import { type ComputedInviteConfig } from "../@types/invite-rules.ts";
 import BlockInvitesConfigController from "./controllers/BlockInvitesConfigController.ts";
 import RequiresSettingsController from "./controllers/RequiresSettingsController.ts";
+import { type OrderedCustomSections, type CustomSectionsData } from "../stores/room-list-v3/section.ts";
 
 export const defaultWatchManager = new WatchManager();
 
@@ -373,6 +374,8 @@ export interface Settings {
     "inviteRules": IBaseSetting<ComputedInviteConfig>;
     "blockInvites": IBaseSetting<boolean>;
     "Developer.elementCallUrl": IBaseSetting<string>;
+    "RoomList.CustomSectionData": IBaseSetting<CustomSectionsData>;
+    "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections": IBaseSetting<OrderedCustomSections>;
 }
 
 export type SettingKey = keyof Settings;
@@ -1371,6 +1374,22 @@ export const SETTINGS: Settings = {
         supportedLevels: LEVELS_ACCOUNT_SETTINGS,
         default: {},
     },
+    /**
+     * Managed by the {@link RoomListStoreV3}
+     * Store the custom section data for the room list
+     */
+    "RoomList.CustomSectionData": {
+        supportedLevels: LEVELS_ACCOUNT_SETTINGS,
+        default: {},
+    },
+    /**
+     * Managed by the {@link RoomListStoreV3}
+     * Store the ordering of the custom sections for the room list
+     */
+    "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections": {
+        supportedLevels: LEVELS_ACCOUNT_SETTINGS,
+        default: [],
+    },
     [UIFeature.RoomHistorySettings]: {
         supportedLevels: LEVELS_UI_FEATURE,
         default: true,

apps/web/src/stores/room-list-v3/RoomListStoreV3.ts

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ import { DefaultTagID } from "./skip-list/tag";
 import { ExcludeTagsFilter } from "./skip-list/filters/ExcludeTagsFilter";
 import { TagFilter } from "./skip-list/filters/TagFilter";
 import { filterBoolean } from "../../utils/arrays";
+import { createSection } from "./section";
 
 /**
  * These are the filters passed to the room skip list.
@@ -59,6 +60,8 @@ export enum RoomListStoreV3Event {
     ListsUpdate = "lists_update",
     // The event which is called when the room list is loaded.
     ListsLoaded = "lists_loaded",
+    /** Fired when a new section is created in the room list. */
+    SectionCreated = "section_created",
 }
 
 // The result object for returning rooms from the store
@@ -89,6 +92,8 @@ export const CHATS_TAG = "chats";
 
 export const LISTS_UPDATE_EVENT = RoomListStoreV3Event.ListsUpdate;
 export const LISTS_LOADED_EVENT = RoomListStoreV3Event.ListsLoaded;
+export const SECTION_CREATED_EVENT = RoomListStoreV3Event.SectionCreated;
+
 /**
  * This store allows for fast retrieval of the room list in a sorted and filtered manner.
  * This is the third such implementation hence the "V3".
@@ -108,7 +113,7 @@ export class RoomListStoreV3Class extends AsyncStoreWithClient<EmptyObject> {
     /**
      * Defines the display order of sections.
      */
-    private readonly sortedTags: string[] = [DefaultTagID.Favourite, CHATS_TAG, DefaultTagID.LowPriority];
+    private sortedTags: string[] = [];
 
     private readonly msc3946ProcessDynamicPredecessor: boolean;
 
@@ -125,6 +130,8 @@ export class RoomListStoreV3Class extends AsyncStoreWithClient<EmptyObject> {
             this.onActiveSpaceChanged();
         });
         SpaceStore.instance.on(UPDATE_HOME_BEHAVIOUR, () => this.onActiveSpaceChanged());
+        SettingsStore.watchSetting("RoomList.OrderedCustomSections", null, () => this.onOrderedCustomSectionsChange());
+        this.loadCustomSections();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -463,6 +470,37 @@ export class RoomListStoreV3Class extends AsyncStoreWithClient<EmptyObject> {
             };
         });
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Handle changes to the order of custom sections.
+     * Reloads the custom sections, updates the skip list filters to reflect the new order and emits an update.
+     * Emit {@link LISTS_UPDATE_EVENT}.
+     */
+    private onOrderedCustomSectionsChange(): void {
+        this.loadCustomSections();
+        if (!this.roomSkipList) return;
+        this.roomSkipList.useNewFilters(this.getSkipListFilters());
+        this.scheduleEmit();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Create a new section.
+     * Emits {@link SECTION_CREATED_EVENT} and  {@link LISTS_UPDATE_EVENT} if the section was successfully created.
+     */
+    public async createSection(): Promise<void> {
+        const sectionIsCreated = await createSection();
+        if (!sectionIsCreated) return;
+        this.emit(SECTION_CREATED_EVENT);
+        this.scheduleEmit();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Load the custom sections from the settings store and update the sorted tags.
+     */
+    private loadCustomSections(): void {
+        const orderedCustomSections = SettingsStore.getValue("RoomList.OrderedCustomSections");
+        this.sortedTags = [DefaultTagID.Favourite, ...orderedCustomSections, CHATS_TAG, DefaultTagID.LowPriority];
+    }
 }
 
 export default class RoomListStoreV3 {

apps/web/src/stores/room-list-v3/section.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+ * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
+ */
+
+import { v4 as uuidv4 } from "uuid";
+
+import { SettingLevel } from "../../settings/SettingLevel";
+import SettingsStore from "../../settings/SettingsStore";
+import Modal from "../../Modal";
+import { CreateSectionDialog } from "../../components/views/dialogs/CreateSectionDialog";
+
+type Tag = string;
+
+/**
+ * Structure of the custom section stored in the settings. The tag is used as a unique identifier for the section, and the name is given by the user.
+ */
+type CustomSection = {
+    tag: Tag;
+    name: string;
+};
+
+/**
+ * The custom sections data is stored as a record in the settings, where the key is the section tag and the value is the section data (name and tag).
+ */
+export type CustomSectionsData = Record<Tag, CustomSection>;
+/**
+ * Ordered list of custom section tags.
+ */
+export type OrderedCustomSections = Tag[];
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new custom section by showing a dialog to the user to enter the section name.
+ * If the user confirms, it generates a unique tag for the section, saves the section data in the settings, and updates the ordered list of sections.
+ *
+ * @return A promise that resolves to true if the section was created, or false if the user cancelled the creation or if there was an error.
+ */
+export async function createSection(): Promise<boolean> {
+    const modal = Modal.createDialog(CreateSectionDialog);
+
+    const [shouldCreateSection, sectionName] = await modal.finished;
+    if (!shouldCreateSection || !sectionName) return false;
+
+    const tag = `element.io.section.${uuidv4()}`;
+    const newSection: CustomSection = { tag, name: sectionName };
+
+    // Save the new section data
+    const sectionData = SettingsStore.getValue("RoomList.CustomSectionData") || {};
+    sectionData[tag] = newSection;
+    await SettingsStore.setValue("RoomList.CustomSectionData", null, SettingLevel.ACCOUNT, sectionData);
+
+    // Add the new section to the ordered list of sections
+    const orderedSections = SettingsStore.getValue("RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") || [];
+    orderedSections.push(tag);
+    await SettingsStore.setValue("RoomList.OrderedCustomSections", null, SettingLevel.ACCOUNT, orderedSections);
+    return true;
+}

apps/web/src/stores/room-list-v3/skip-list/RoomSkipList.ts

@@ -76,6 +76,17 @@ export class RoomSkipList implements Iterable<Room> {
         this.seed(rooms);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Change the filters used by the skip list.
+     * This will apply the new filters to all existing nodes.
+     */
+    public useNewFilters(filters: Filter[]): void {
+        this.filters = filters;
+        for (const node of this.roomNodeMap.values()) {
+            node.applyFilters(this.filters);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Removes a given room from the skip list.
      */

apps/web/src/viewmodels/room-list/RoomListHeaderViewModel.ts

@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ export class RoomListHeaderViewModel
     };
 
     public createSection = (): void => {
-        // To be implemented when custom section creation is added in vms
+        RoomListStoreV3.instance.createSection();
     };
 }
 /**
@@ -275,6 +275,10 @@ function computeHeaderSpaceState(
     );
     const canAccessSpaceSettings = Boolean(activeSpace && shouldShowSpaceSettings(activeSpace));
 
+    const isSectionFeatureEnabled = SettingsStore.getValue("feature_room_list_sections");
+    const useComposeIcon = !isSectionFeatureEnabled;
+    const canCreateSection = isSectionFeatureEnabled;
+
     return {
         title,
         canCreateRoom,
@@ -283,8 +287,7 @@ function computeHeaderSpaceState(
         displaySpaceMenu,
         canInviteInSpace,
         canAccessSpaceSettings,
-        // To be implemented when custom section creation is added in vms
-        canCreateSection: false,
-        useComposeIcon: true,
+        canCreateSection,
+        useComposeIcon,
     };
 }

apps/web/src/viewmodels/room-list/RoomListItemViewModel.ts

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import { Action } from "../../dispatcher/actions";
 import type { ViewRoomPayload } from "../../dispatcher/payloads/ViewRoomPayload";
 import PosthogTrackers from "../../PosthogTrackers";
 import { type Call, CallEvent } from "../../models/Call";
+import RoomListStoreV3 from "../../stores/room-list-v3/RoomListStoreV3";
 
 interface RoomItemProps {
     room: Room;
@@ -276,6 +277,8 @@ export class RoomListItemViewModel
         const callType =
             call?.callType === CallType.Voice ? "voice" : call?.callType === CallType.Video ? "video" : undefined;
 
+        const canMoveToSection = SettingsStore.getValue("feature_room_list_sections");
+
         return {
             id: room.roomId,
             room,
@@ -303,8 +306,7 @@ export class RoomListItemViewModel
             canMarkAsRead,
             canMarkAsUnread,
             roomNotifState,
-            // To be implemented when custom section creation is added in vms
-            canMoveToSection: false,
+            canMoveToSection,
         };
     }
 
@@ -385,6 +387,6 @@ export class RoomListItemViewModel
     };
 
     public onCreateSection = (): void => {
-        // To be implemented when custom section creation is added in vms
+        RoomListStoreV3.instance.createSection();
     };
 }

apps/web/src/viewmodels/room-list/RoomListViewModel.ts

@@ -91,6 +91,11 @@ export class RoomListViewModel
     // Don't clear section vm because we want to keep the expand/collapse state even during space changes.
     private readonly roomSectionHeaderViewModels = new Map<string, RoomListSectionHeaderViewModel>();
 
+    /**
+     * Reference to the currently displayed toast, used to automatically close the toast after a timeout.
+     */
+    private toastRef?: number;
+
     public constructor(props: RoomListViewModelProps) {
         const activeSpace = SpaceStore.instance.activeSpaceRoom;
 
@@ -144,6 +149,13 @@ export class RoomListViewModel
             this.onListsLoaded,
         );
 
+        // Subscribe to section creation
+        this.disposables.trackListener(
+            RoomListStoreV3.instance,
+            RoomListStoreV3Event.SectionCreated as any,
+            this.onSectionCreated,
+        );
+
         // Subscribe to active room changes to update selected room
         const dispatcherRef = dispatcher.register(this.onDispatch);
         this.disposables.track(() => {
@@ -264,7 +276,8 @@ export class RoomListViewModel
     public getSectionHeaderViewModel(tag: string): RoomListSectionHeaderViewModel {
         if (this.roomSectionHeaderViewModels.has(tag)) return this.roomSectionHeaderViewModels.get(tag)!;
 
-        const title = TAG_TO_TITLE_MAP[tag] || tag;
+        const customSections = SettingsStore.getValue("RoomList.CustomSectionData");
+        const title = TAG_TO_TITLE_MAP[tag] || customSections[tag]?.name || tag;
         const viewModel = new RoomListSectionHeaderViewModel({
             tag,
             title,
@@ -573,7 +586,19 @@ export class RoomListViewModel
         }
     };
 
+    public onSectionCreated = (): void => {
+        clearTimeout(this.toastRef);
+        this.snapshot.merge({
+            toast: "section_created",
+        });
+        // Automatically close the toast after 15 seconds
+        this.toastRef = setTimeout(() => {
+            this.closeToast();
+        }, 15 * 1000);
+    };
+
     public closeToast: () => void = () => {
+        clearTimeout(this.toastRef);
         this.snapshot.merge({
             toast: undefined,
         });
@@ -590,9 +615,11 @@ function computeSections(
     roomsResult: RoomsResult,
     isSectionExpanded: (tag: string) => boolean,
 ): { sections: Section[]; isFlatList: boolean } {
+    const customSections = SettingsStore.getValue("RoomList.CustomSectionData");
+
     const sections = roomsResult.sections
-        // Only include sections that have rooms
-        .filter((section) => section.rooms.length > 0)
+        // Only include sections that have rooms or are custom sections (which may be empty but should still be shown)
+        .filter((section) => section.rooms.length > 0 || customSections[section.tag])
         // Remove roomIds for sections that are currently collapsed according to their section header view model
         .map((section) => ({
             ...section,

apps/web/test/unit-tests/components/views/dialogs/CreateSectionDialog-test.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+ * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
+ */
+
+import { render, screen } from "jest-matrix-react";
+import userEvent from "@testing-library/user-event";
+import React from "react";
+
+import { CreateSectionDialog } from "../../../../../src/components/views/dialogs/CreateSectionDialog";
+
+describe("CreateSectionDialog", () => {
+    const onFinished: jest.Mock = jest.fn();
+
+    beforeEach(() => {
+        jest.resetAllMocks();
+    });
+
+    function renderComponent(): void {
+        render(<CreateSectionDialog onFinished={onFinished} />);
+    }
+
+    it("renders the dialog", () => {
+        const { container } = render(<CreateSectionDialog onFinished={onFinished} />);
+        expect(container).toMatchSnapshot();
+    });
+
+    it("has the create section button disabled when the input is empty", () => {
+        renderComponent();
+        const createButton = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Create section" });
+        expect(createButton).toBeDisabled();
+    });
+
+    it("calls onFinished with true and the section name when create section is clicked", async () => {
+        renderComponent();
+        const input = screen.getByRole("textbox");
+        await userEvent.type(input, "My section");
+        const createButton = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Create section" });
+        await userEvent.click(createButton);
+        expect(onFinished).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true, "My section");
+    });
+
+    it("calls onFinished with false when the dialog is cancelled", async () => {
+        renderComponent();
+        const cancelButton = screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Cancel" });
+        await userEvent.click(cancelButton);
+        expect(onFinished).toHaveBeenCalledWith(false, "");
+    });
+
+    it("calls onFinished with true and the section name when the form is submitted", async () => {
+        renderComponent();
+        const input = screen.getByRole("textbox");
+        await userEvent.type(input, "My section");
+        await userEvent.keyboard("{Enter}");
+        expect(onFinished).toHaveBeenCalledWith(true, "My section");
+    });
+});

apps/web/test/unit-tests/components/views/dialogs/__snapshots__/CreateSectionDialog-test.tsx.snap

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+// Jest Snapshot v1, https://jestjs.io/docs/snapshot-testing
+
+exports[`CreateSectionDialog renders the dialog 1`] = `
+<div>
+  <div
+    data-focus-guard="true"
+    style="width: 1px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: fixed; top: 1px; left: 1px;"
+    tabindex="0"
+  />
+  <div
+    aria-labelledby="mx_BaseDialog_title"
+    class="mx_CreateSectionDialog mx_Dialog_fixedWidth"
+    data-focus-lock-disabled="false"
+    role="dialog"
+    tabindex="-1"
+  >
+    <div
+      class="mx_Dialog_header"
+    >
+      <h1
+        class="mx_Heading_h3 mx_Dialog_title"
+        id="mx_BaseDialog_title"
+      >
+        Create a section
+      </h1>
+    </div>
+    <div
+      class="_flex_4dswl_9 mx_CreateSectionDialog_content"
+      style="--mx-flex-display: flex; --mx-flex-direction: column; --mx-flex-align: start; --mx-flex-justify: start; --mx-flex-gap: var(--cpd-space-6x); --mx-flex-wrap: nowrap;"
+    >
+      <span
+        class="_typography_6v6n8_153 _font-body-md-semibold_6v6n8_55"
+      >
+        Sections are only for you
+      </span>
+      <form
+        class="_root_19upo_16 mx_CreateSectionDialog_form"
+      >
+        <div
+          class="_field_19upo_26"
+        >
+          <label
+            class="_label_19upo_59"
+            for="radix-_r_0_"
+          >
+             
+            Section name
+          </label>
+          <input
+            class="_control_sqdq4_10"
+            id="radix-_r_0_"
+            name="sectionName"
+            required=""
+            title=""
+          />
+        </div>
+      </form>
+    </div>
+    <div
+      class="mx_Dialog_buttons"
+    >
+      <span
+        class="mx_Dialog_buttons_row"
+      >
+        <button
+          data-testid="dialog-cancel-button"
+          type="button"
+        >
+          Cancel
+        </button>
+        <button
+          class="mx_Dialog_primary"
+          data-testid="dialog-primary-button"
+          disabled=""
+          type="button"
+        >
+          Create section
+        </button>
+      </span>
+    </div>
+    <div
+      aria-label="Close dialog"
+      class="mx_AccessibleButton mx_Dialog_cancelButton"
+      role="button"
+      tabindex="0"
+    >
+      <svg
+        fill="currentColor"
+        height="1em"
+        viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+        width="1em"
+        xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+      >
+        <path
+          d="M6.293 6.293a1 1 0 0 1 1.414 0L12 10.586l4.293-4.293a1 1 0 1 1 1.414 1.414L13.414 12l4.293 4.293a1 1 0 0 1-1.414 1.414L12 13.414l-4.293 4.293a1 1 0 0 1-1.414-1.414L10.586 12 6.293 7.707a1 1 0 0 1 0-1.414"
+        />
+      </svg>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+  <div
+    data-focus-guard="true"
+    style="width: 1px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: fixed; top: 1px; left: 1px;"
+    tabindex="0"
+  />
+</div>
+`;

apps/web/test/unit-tests/stores/room-list-v3/RoomListStoreV3-test.ts

@@ -14,9 +14,11 @@ import type { RoomNotificationState } from "../../../../src/stores/notifications
 import {
     CHATS_TAG,
     LISTS_UPDATE_EVENT,
+    SECTION_CREATED_EVENT,
     RoomListStoreV3Class,
     type Section,
 } from "../../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/RoomListStoreV3";
+import * as sectionModule from "../../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/section";
 import { AsyncStoreWithClient } from "../../../../src/stores/AsyncStoreWithClient";
 import { RecencySorter } from "../../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/skip-list/sorters/RecencySorter";
 import { mkEvent, mkMessage, mkSpace, mkStubRoom, stubClient, upsertRoomStateEvents } from "../../../test-utils";
@@ -830,6 +832,7 @@ describe("RoomListStoreV3", () => {
         function enableSections(): void {
             jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((setting: string) => {
                 if (setting === "feature_room_list_sections") return true;
+                if (setting === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") return [];
                 return false;
             });
         }
@@ -1007,6 +1010,84 @@ describe("RoomListStoreV3", () => {
             const favSection = findSection(sections, DefaultTagID.Favourite)!;
             expect(favSection.rooms).toContain(rooms[3]);
         });
+
+        describe("createSection", () => {
+            it("emits SECTION_CREATED_EVENT and LISTS_UPDATE_EVENT when section is created", async () => {
+                enableSections();
+                getClientAndRooms();
+                jest.spyOn(sectionModule, "createSection").mockResolvedValue(true);
+
+                const store = new RoomListStoreV3Class(dispatcher);
+                await store.start();
+
+                const sectionCreatedListener = jest.fn();
+                const listsUpdateListener = jest.fn();
+                store.on(SECTION_CREATED_EVENT, sectionCreatedListener);
+                store.on(LISTS_UPDATE_EVENT, listsUpdateListener);
+
+                await store.createSection();
+
+                expect(sectionCreatedListener).toHaveBeenCalled();
+                expect(listsUpdateListener).toHaveBeenCalled();
+            });
+
+            it("does not emit when section creation is cancelled", async () => {
+                enableSections();
+                getClientAndRooms();
+                jest.spyOn(sectionModule, "createSection").mockResolvedValue(false);
+
+                const store = new RoomListStoreV3Class(dispatcher);
+                await store.start();
+
+                const sectionCreatedListener = jest.fn();
+                store.on(SECTION_CREATED_EVENT, sectionCreatedListener);
+
+                await store.createSection();
+
+                expect(sectionCreatedListener).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+            });
+        });
+
+        it("updates sections when RoomList.OrderedCustomSections setting changes", async () => {
+            enableSections();
+            const { rooms } = getClientAndRooms();
+
+            let settingsWatcher: (settingName: string) => void = () => {};
+            jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "watchSetting").mockImplementation((settingName, _roomId, callback) => {
+                if (settingName === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") settingsWatcher = callback as () => void;
+                return "watcher-id";
+            });
+
+            const customTag = "element.io.section.custom";
+
+            jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((setting: string) => {
+                if (setting === "feature_room_list_sections") return true;
+                if (setting === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") return [];
+                return false;
+            });
+
+            const store = new RoomListStoreV3Class(dispatcher);
+            await store.start();
+
+            // Initial state: 3 sections (Favourite, Chats, LowPriority)
+            expect(store.getSortedRoomsInActiveSpace().sections).toHaveLength(3);
+
+            // Mark a room with the custom tag and update the settings
+            rooms[0].tags = { [customTag]: { order: 0 } };
+            jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((setting: string) => {
+                if (setting === "feature_room_list_sections") return true;
+                if (setting === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") return [customTag];
+                return false;
+            });
+
+            // Trigger the settings watcher
+            settingsWatcher("RoomList.OrderedCustomSections");
+
+            // Now there should be 4 sections (Favourite, custom, Chats, LowPriority)
+            expect(store.getSortedRoomsInActiveSpace().sections).toHaveLength(4);
+            const customSection = findSection(store.getSortedRoomsInActiveSpace().sections, customTag)!;
+            expect(customSection.rooms).toContain(rooms[0]);
+        });
     });
 
     describe("Muted rooms", () => {

apps/web/test/unit-tests/stores/room-list-v3/section-test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR GPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+ * Please see LICENSE files in the repository root for full details.
+ */
+
+import Modal from "../../../../src/Modal";
+import SettingsStore from "../../../../src/settings/SettingsStore";
+import { createSection } from "../../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/section";
+import { CreateSectionDialog } from "../../../../src/components/views/dialogs/CreateSectionDialog";
+
+describe("createSection", () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+        jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockReturnValue(null);
+        jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "setValue").mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    });
+
+    afterEach(() => {
+        jest.restoreAllMocks();
+    });
+
+    it.each([
+        [false, "", false],
+        [true, "", false],
+        [true, "My Section", true],
+    ])("returns %s when shouldCreate=%s and name='%s'", async (shouldCreate, name, expected) => {
+        jest.spyOn(Modal, "createDialog").mockReturnValue({
+            finished: Promise.resolve([shouldCreate, name]),
+            close: jest.fn(),
+        } as any);
+
+        const result = await createSection();
+        expect(result).toBe(expected);
+    });
+
+    it("opens the CreateSectionDialog", async () => {
+        const createDialogSpy = jest.spyOn(Modal, "createDialog").mockReturnValue({
+            finished: Promise.resolve([false, ""]),
+            close: jest.fn(),
+        } as any);
+
+        await createSection();
+        expect(createDialogSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(CreateSectionDialog);
+    });
+
+    it("saves section data and ordered sections at ACCOUNT level when confirmed", async () => {
+        const existingTag = "element.io.section.existing";
+        jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((setting) => {
+            if (setting === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") return [existingTag];
+            return null;
+        });
+        jest.spyOn(Modal, "createDialog").mockReturnValue({
+            finished: Promise.resolve([true, "My Section"]),
+            close: jest.fn(),
+        } as any);
+        const setValueSpy = jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "setValue").mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+
+        await createSection();
+
+        const customDataCall = setValueSpy.mock.calls.find(([name]) => name === "RoomList.CustomSectionData");
+        const savedSection = Object.values(customDataCall![3] as Record<string, { tag: string; name: string }>)[0];
+        expect(savedSection.name).toBe("My Section");
+        expect(savedSection.tag).toMatch(/^element\.io\.section\./);
+
+        const orderedCall = setValueSpy.mock.calls.find(([name]) => name === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections");
+        const savedOrder = orderedCall![3] as string[];
+        expect(savedOrder[0]).toBe(existingTag);
+        expect(savedOrder[1]).toMatch(/^element\.io\.section\./);
+    });
+});

apps/web/test/unit-tests/stores/room-list-v3/skip-list/RoomSkipList-test.ts

@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ import { getMockedRooms } from "./getMockedRooms";
 import SpaceStore from "../../../../../src/stores/spaces/SpaceStore";
 import { MetaSpace } from "../../../../../src/stores/spaces";
 import { RoomNotificationStateStore } from "../../../../../src/stores/notifications/RoomNotificationStateStore";
+import { FavouriteFilter } from "../../../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/skip-list/filters/FavouriteFilter";
+import { FilterEnum } from "../../../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/skip-list/filters";
+import { DefaultTagID } from "../../../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/skip-list/tag";
 
 describe("RoomSkipList", () => {
     function generateSkipList(roomCount?: number): {
@@ -99,6 +102,26 @@ describe("RoomSkipList", () => {
         expect(() => skipList.addNewRoom(room)).toThrow("Can't add room to skiplist");
     });
 
+    it("Filters are applied to existing nodes when useNewFilters is called", () => {
+        const { skipList, rooms } = generateSkipList(10);
+
+        // Mark some rooms as favourite
+        const favouriteRooms = [rooms[2], rooms[5], rooms[8]];
+        for (const room of favouriteRooms) {
+            room.tags = { [DefaultTagID.Favourite]: { order: 0 } };
+        }
+
+        // No filters yet — all rooms are in the list
+        expect(skipList.size).toEqual(10);
+
+        // Apply the favourite filter
+        skipList.useNewFilters([new FavouriteFilter()]);
+
+        // Only favourite rooms should be returned when filtering by favourite
+        const filteredRooms = Array.from(skipList.getRoomsInActiveSpace([FilterEnum.FavouriteFilter]));
+        expect(filteredRooms).toHaveLength(favouriteRooms.length);
+    });
+
     it("Re-sort works when sorter is swapped", () => {
         const { skipList, rooms, sorter } = generateSkipList();
         const sortedByRecency = [...rooms].sort((a, b) => sorter.comparator(a, b));

apps/web/test/viewmodels/room-list/RoomListHeaderViewModel-test.ts

@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ describe("RoomListHeaderViewModel", () => {
             if (settingName === "RoomList.preferredSorting") return SortingAlgorithm.Recency;
             if (settingName === "feature_video_rooms") return true;
             if (settingName === "feature_element_call_video_rooms") return true;
+            if (settingName === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") return [];
             return false;
         });
     });
@@ -159,6 +160,23 @@ describe("RoomListHeaderViewModel", () => {
             vm = new RoomListHeaderViewModel({ matrixClient, spaceStore: SpaceStore.instance });
             expect(vm.getSnapshot().isMessagePreviewEnabled).toBe(true);
         });
+
+        it.each([
+            [true, true, false],
+            [false, false, true],
+        ])(
+            "when feature_room_list_sections is %s: canCreateSection=%s, useComposeIcon=%s",
+            (featureEnabled, expectedCanCreateSection, expectedUseComposeIcon) => {
+                jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((settingName: string) => {
+                    if (settingName === "feature_room_list_sections") return featureEnabled;
+                    return false;
+                });
+
+                vm = new RoomListHeaderViewModel({ matrixClient, spaceStore: SpaceStore.instance });
+                expect(vm.getSnapshot().canCreateSection).toBe(expectedCanCreateSection);
+                expect(vm.getSnapshot().useComposeIcon).toBe(expectedUseComposeIcon);
+            },
+        );
     });
 
     describe("event listeners", () => {
@@ -296,6 +314,13 @@ describe("RoomListHeaderViewModel", () => {
             );
         });
 
+        it("should call createSection on RoomListStoreV3 when createSection is called", () => {
+            const createSectionSpy = jest.spyOn(RoomListStoreV3.instance, "createSection").mockResolvedValue();
+            vm = new RoomListHeaderViewModel({ matrixClient, spaceStore: SpaceStore.instance });
+            vm.createSection();
+            expect(createSectionSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        });
+
         it("should toggle message preview from enabled to disabled", () => {
             jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((settingName: string) => {
                 if (settingName === "RoomList.showMessagePreview") return true;

apps/web/test/viewmodels/room-list/RoomListItemViewModel-test.tsx

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import { Action } from "../../../src/dispatcher/actions";
 import { CallStore } from "../../../src/stores/CallStore";
 import { CallEvent, type Call } from "../../../src/models/Call";
 import { RoomListItemViewModel } from "../../../src/viewmodels/room-list/RoomListItemViewModel";
+import RoomListStoreV3 from "../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/RoomListStoreV3";
 
 jest.mock("../../../src/viewmodels/room-list/utils", () => ({
     hasAccessToOptionsMenu: jest.fn().mockReturnValue(true),
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@ describe("RoomListItemViewModel", () => {
 
         jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((setting) => {
             if (setting === "RoomList.showMessagePreview") return false;
+            if (setting === "RoomList.OrderedCustomSections") return [];
             return false;
         });
         jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "watchSetting").mockImplementation(() => "watcher-id");
@@ -501,6 +503,20 @@ describe("RoomListItemViewModel", () => {
         });
     });
 
+    describe("canMoveToSection", () => {
+        it.each([
+            [true, true],
+            [false, false],
+        ])("should be %s when feature_room_list_sections is %s", (featureEnabled, expected) => {
+            jest.spyOn(SettingsStore, "getValue").mockImplementation((setting) => {
+                if (setting === "feature_room_list_sections") return featureEnabled;
+                return false;
+            });
+            viewModel = new RoomListItemViewModel({ room, client: matrixClient });
+            expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().canMoveToSection).toBe(expected);
+        });
+    });
+
     describe("Actions", () => {
         it("should dispatch view room action on openRoom", () => {
             viewModel = new RoomListItemViewModel({ room, client: matrixClient });
@@ -572,6 +588,13 @@ describe("RoomListItemViewModel", () => {
                 room_id: "!room:server",
             });
         });
+
+        it("should call createSection on RoomListStoreV3 when onCreateSection is called", () => {
+            const createSectionSpy = jest.spyOn(RoomListStoreV3.instance, "createSection").mockResolvedValue();
+            viewModel = new RoomListItemViewModel({ room, client: matrixClient });
+            viewModel.onCreateSection();
+            expect(createSectionSpy).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        });
     });
 
     describe("Cleanup", () => {

apps/web/test/viewmodels/room-list/RoomListViewModel-test.tsx

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import { type MatrixClient, type Room } from "matrix-js-sdk/src/matrix";
 import { mocked } from "jest-mock";
 import { waitFor } from "jest-matrix-react";
 
-import { createTestClient, flushPromises, mkStubRoom, stubClient } from "../../test-utils";
+import { createTestClient, flushPromises, flushPromisesWithFakeTimers, mkStubRoom, stubClient } from "../../test-utils";
 import RoomListStoreV3, { CHATS_TAG, RoomListStoreV3Event } from "../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/RoomListStoreV3";
 import SpaceStore from "../../../src/stores/spaces/SpaceStore";
 import { FilterEnum } from "../../../src/stores/room-list-v3/skip-list/filters";
@@ -589,6 +589,14 @@ describe("RoomListViewModel", () => {
     });
 
     describe("Cleanup", () => {
+        beforeEach(() => {
+            jest.useFakeTimers();
+        });
+
+        afterEach(() => {
+            jest.useRealTimers();
+        });
+
         it("should dispose all room item view models on dispose", () => {
             viewModel = new RoomListViewModel({ client: matrixClient });
 
@@ -604,6 +612,51 @@ describe("RoomListViewModel", () => {
             expect(disposeSpy2).toHaveBeenCalled();
         });
 
+        describe("Toast", () => {
+            it("should show toast when SectionCreated event fires", () => {
+                viewModel = new RoomListViewModel({ client: matrixClient });
+                RoomListStoreV3.instance.emit(RoomListStoreV3Event.SectionCreated);
+                expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().toast).toBe("section_created");
+            });
+
+            it("should clear toast when closeToast is called", () => {
+                viewModel = new RoomListViewModel({ client: matrixClient });
+
+                RoomListStoreV3.instance.emit(RoomListStoreV3Event.SectionCreated);
+                expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().toast).toBe("section_created");
+
+                viewModel.closeToast();
+                expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().toast).toBeUndefined();
+            });
+
+            it("should auto-close toast after 15 seconds", () => {
+                viewModel = new RoomListViewModel({ client: matrixClient });
+
+                RoomListStoreV3.instance.emit(RoomListStoreV3Event.SectionCreated);
+                expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().toast).toBe("section_created");
+
+                jest.advanceTimersByTime(15 * 1000);
+                expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().toast).toBeUndefined();
+            });
+
+            it("should reset the auto-close timer when a new section is created", () => {
+                viewModel = new RoomListViewModel({ client: matrixClient });
+
+                RoomListStoreV3.instance.emit(RoomListStoreV3Event.SectionCreated);
+                jest.advanceTimersByTime(10 * 1000);
+
+                // Second section created — resets the timer
+                RoomListStoreV3.instance.emit(RoomListStoreV3Event.SectionCreated);
+                jest.advanceTimersByTime(10 * 1000);
+
+                // Toast should still be visible (only 10s since last emit)
+                expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().toast).toBe("section_created");
+
+                jest.advanceTimersByTime(5 * 1000);
+                expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().toast).toBeUndefined();
+            });
+        });
+
         describe("Sections (feature_room_list_sections)", () => {
             let favRoom1: Room;
             let favRoom2: Room;
@@ -922,7 +975,7 @@ describe("RoomListViewModel", () => {
                     action: Action.ActiveRoomChanged,
                     newRoomId: "!fav1:server",
                 });
-                await flushPromises();
+                await flushPromisesWithFakeTimers();
 
                 expect(viewModel.getSnapshot().roomListState.activeRoomIndex).toBe(0);