diff --git a/sdk/SdkArchitecture.md b/sdk/SdkArchitecture.md
index 9b28ae2c5..6a6df9f42 100644
--- a/sdk/SdkArchitecture.md
+++ b/sdk/SdkArchitecture.md
@@ -131,18 +131,18 @@ participation split in
 [`client-into-slot-session-split-plan.md`](./client-into-slot-session-split-plan.md);
 the sections below still describe `MatrixRTCClient` until that lands.
 
-| Word                        | Meaning here                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Elsewhere                                                                                                   |
-| --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| slot                        | an `RTCSlot`: the namespace in a room that memberships join into, `application` plus `id`. It exists while the room does, with nobody in it too. Holds `members$`, its open or closed `status$`, and `join()`                  | the js-sdk `MatrixRTCSession` is one per slot; the MSC4143 slot event                                       |
-| participation               | an `RTCParticipation`: the span between our `join()` of a slot and our `leave()`. Holds the connection and its `status$`, `localMember$`, `remoteMembers$`, the connected transports and the data channel. Made by `slot.join()`, never reused | "session" is not used here, because in the js-sdk it means the slot                                         |
-| member                      | an `RTCMember`: one membership in a slot with what the SDK derives from it, `rtcBackendIdentity`, `userId`, `deviceId`, `memberId`, `displayName$`, `avatarUrl$`, `transport$` and `applicationData$`. No media. What the slot hands out in `members$`         | the js-sdk `CallMembership` behind it, which never leaves the SDK; Element Call's old "matrixLivekitMember" |
-| local member, remote member | `LocalRTCMember` and `RemoteRTCMember`: an `RTCMember` plus its `MemberMedia`, which only a participation can carry. The local one's tracks carry the controls. What the participation hands out in `localMember$` and `remoteMembers$`        | LiveKit `LocalParticipant` and `RemoteParticipant`, which never leave the SDK                               |
-| media                       | a `MemberMedia`: what a member sends once it has arrived on its transport, `tracks$`, null while waiting, and `encryptionError$` beside it. The media backend supplies exactly these two fields per member                                     | Element Call's `MediaViewModel` is a view of it                                                             |
-| track                       | a `MediaTrack`: one publication of a member, audio or video, with `source`, `kind`, `id` and the behaviors on it. `LocalAudioMediaTrack` and `LocalVideoMediaTrack` add the controls over our own                                              | LiveKit `TrackPublication` and `Track`, which never leave the SDK                                           |
-| publish request             | a `PublishRequest`: a source, where to capture it from and how to encode it. Given at the join in `publish`, or later to `publish` on the participation                                                                                        |                                                                                                             |
-| attach, detach              | handing a `<video>` or `<audio>` element to a track and taking it back. The SDK owns the stream and the observers on the element                                                                                                               | LiveKit `Track.attach`                                                                                      |
-| transport                   | an `RTCTransport`: where media is exchanged, a LiveKit service url today. Carries the raw js-sdk `Transport` from the membership and, in `resolved$`, what the backend fetched to connect to it                                                | MSC4143 "focus"                                                                                             |
-| media backend               | a `MediaBackend`: what carries the media, behind `sdk/src/media-backend/api.ts`. One per participation, chosen with `backend` in the join options; LiveKit under `sdk/src/media-backend/livekit/` is the one that exists                       | "SFU", a LiveKit room, a peer connection                                                                    |
+| Word                        | Meaning here                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Elsewhere                                                                                                   |
+| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| slot                        | an `RTCSlot`: the namespace in a room that memberships join into, `application` plus `id`. It exists while the room does, with nobody in it too. Holds `members$`, its open or closed `status$`, and `join()`                                          | the js-sdk `MatrixRTCSession` is one per slot; the MSC4143 slot event                                       |
+| participation               | an `RTCParticipation`: the span between our `join()` of a slot and our `leave()`. Holds the connection and its `status$`, `localMember$`, `remoteMembers$`, the connected transports and the data channel. Made by `slot.join()`, never reused         | "session" is not used here, because in the js-sdk it means the slot                                         |
+| member                      | an `RTCMember`: one membership in a slot with what the SDK derives from it, `rtcBackendIdentity`, `userId`, `deviceId`, `memberId`, `displayName$`, `avatarUrl$`, `transport$` and `applicationData$`. No media. What the slot hands out in `members$` | the js-sdk `CallMembership` behind it, which never leaves the SDK; Element Call's old "matrixLivekitMember" |
+| local member, remote member | `LocalRTCMember` and `RemoteRTCMember`: an `RTCMember` plus its `MemberMedia`, which only a participation can carry. The local one's tracks carry the controls. What the participation hands out in `localMember$` and `remoteMembers$`                | LiveKit `LocalParticipant` and `RemoteParticipant`, which never leave the SDK                               |
+| media                       | a `MemberMedia`: what a member sends once it has arrived on its transport, `tracks$`, null while waiting, and `encryptionError$` beside it. The media backend supplies exactly these two fields per member                                             | Element Call's `MediaViewModel` is a view of it                                                             |
+| track                       | a `MediaTrack`: one publication of a member, audio or video, with `source`, `kind`, `id` and the behaviors on it. `LocalAudioMediaTrack` and `LocalVideoMediaTrack` add the controls over our own                                                      | LiveKit `TrackPublication` and `Track`, which never leave the SDK                                           |
+| publish request             | a `PublishRequest`: a source, where to capture it from and how to encode it. Given at the join in `publish`, or later to `publish` on the participation                                                                                                |                                                                                                             |
+| attach, detach              | handing a `<video>` or `<audio>` element to a track and taking it back. The SDK owns the stream and the observers on the element                                                                                                                       | LiveKit `Track.attach`                                                                                      |
+| transport                   | an `RTCTransport`: where media is exchanged, a LiveKit service url today. Carries the raw js-sdk `Transport` from the membership and, in `resolved$`, what the backend fetched to connect to it                                                        | MSC4143 "focus"                                                                                             |
+| media backend               | a `MediaBackend`: what carries the media, behind `sdk/src/media-backend/api.ts`. One per participation, chosen with `backend` in the join options; LiveKit under `sdk/src/media-backend/livekit/` is the one that exists                               | "SFU", a LiveKit room, a peer connection                                                                    |
 
 Names use `RTC` in capitals, as the js-sdk does: `RTCSlot`, `RTCParticipation`,
 `RTCMember`, `matrixRTCMode`.
@@ -263,20 +263,26 @@ export function createMatrixRTCClient(
   room: Room,
   options: MatrixRTCClientOptions,
 ): MatrixRTCClient;
-````
+```
 
 ### The client
 
 ```ts
-export type ConnectionStatus =
-  | "waitingForTransport"
-  | "connecting"
-  | "connected"
-  | "reconnecting"
-  | "disconnected";
+/** The homeserver link that is down, in the order they depend on each other. */
+export type MatrixDisconnectReason = "sync" | "membership" | "probablyLeft";
 
-/** Why the client is not connected: the first failing of its three links. */
-export type DisconnectReason = "sync" | "membership" | "probablyLeft" | "media";
+/** Why the participation is not connected: the first failing link, in dependency order. */
+export type DisconnectReason = MatrixDisconnectReason | "media";
+
+export type ParticipationState =
+  | { kind: "waitingForTransport" }
+  | { kind: "connecting" }
+  | { kind: "connected" }
+  | { kind: "reconnecting"; reason: DisconnectReason }
+  /** A failed publication is not fatal: the member can still receive, so it stays on the local member's media. */
+  | { kind: "failed"; error: MatrixRTCError }
+  /** `leave()` was called. Terminal. */
+  | { kind: "left" };
 
 /**
  * An error raised by the client. `code` and `category` say what went wrong in
@@ -290,21 +296,12 @@ export class MatrixRTCError extends Error {
 export interface MatrixRTCClient {
   join(): void;
   leave(): void;
-  /** The local member's state machine, collapsed to what a host shows. */
-  status$: Behavior<ConnectionStatus>;
-  /** Connected to the homeserver, the session and the local transport, all three. */
-  connected$: Behavior<boolean>;
-  /** Connected once, and currently not. */
-  reconnecting$: Behavior<boolean>;
-  /** Null while connected, the first failing link otherwise. */
-  disconnectReason$: Behavior<DisconnectReason | null>;
-
   /**
-   * A transport, Matrix or connection error that stops the session. Null
-   * while fine. A failed publication is not fatal: the member can still
-   * receive, so it stays on the local member's media.
+   * The Matrix membership combined with the local media connection. One
+   * value: a reason exists only while `reconnecting`, an error only once
+   * `failed`.
    */
-  fatalError$: Behavior<MatrixRTCError | null>;
+  state$: Behavior<ParticipationState>;
 
   /** Null until our own membership has been seen in the room. */
   localMember$: Behavior<LocalRTCMember | null>;
@@ -749,9 +746,10 @@ public API only.
   join; creating the tracks earlier, for a lobby preview, is still missing.
 - **`applicationData` after the join.** The option is read once; there is no
   way to update it on a live membership yet.
-- **Raw local state.** The local member's state machine (`LocalMemberState`) stays
-  internal; `status$`, `disconnectReason$` and `fatalError$` are its public view.
-  A developer panel may want it as `LocalRTCMember.state$`.
+- **Raw membership state.** The Matrix side's own state machine
+  (`MembershipState` in `LocalMembership.ts`) stays internal; `state$` on the
+  participation is its public view combined with the media connection. A
+  developer panel may want it as `LocalRTCMember.membershipState$`.
 - **Developer panel.** `resolved$` on each connected transport covers what the
   panel shows today. Anything beyond that (LiveKit room state, connection
   quality) needs an opaque `debug$` per transport.
diff --git a/sdk/dev/main.ts b/sdk/dev/main.ts
index 00ad59219..0753cd7fc 100644
--- a/sdk/dev/main.ts
+++ b/sdk/dev/main.ts
@@ -77,11 +77,9 @@ async function start(
     const rtcParticipation = slot.join({
       publish: [{ source: "microphone" }, { source: "camera" }],
     });
-    rtcParticipation.status$.pipe(scope.bind()).subscribe((s) => {
-      status.textContent = s;
-    });
-    rtcParticipation.fatalError$.pipe(scope.bind()).subscribe((error) => {
-      if (error !== null) status.textContent = `Error: ${error.message}`;
+    rtcParticipation.state$.pipe(scope.bind()).subscribe((state) => {
+      status.textContent =
+        state.kind === "failed" ? `Error: ${state.error.message}` : state.kind;
     });
     showMembers(scope, rtcParticipation);
     showMessages(scope, rtcParticipation);
@@ -179,7 +177,10 @@ function showMembers(
   rtcParticipation: RTCParticipation,
 ): void {
   const tiles = new Map<string, HTMLElement>();
-  combineLatest([rtcParticipation.localMember$, rtcParticipation.remoteMembers$])
+  combineLatest([
+    rtcParticipation.localMember$,
+    rtcParticipation.remoteMembers$,
+  ])
     .pipe(scope.bind())
     .subscribe(([local, remote]) => {
       const current = local === null ? remote : [local, ...remote];
diff --git a/sdk/src/RTCParticipation.ts b/sdk/src/RTCParticipation.ts
index 5c563236f..46bd5a608 100644
--- a/sdk/src/RTCParticipation.ts
+++ b/sdk/src/RTCParticipation.ts
@@ -14,15 +14,17 @@ import {
 } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/matrixrtc";
 import { type IMembershipManager } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/matrixrtc/IMembershipManager";
 import { type CallMembershipIdentityParts } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/matrixrtc/EncryptionManager";
+import { deepCompare } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/utils";
 import { v4 as uuidv4 } from "uuid";
 import {
-  BehaviorSubject,
   combineLatest,
+  distinctUntilChanged,
   filter,
   from,
   fromEvent,
   map,
   Observable,
+  scan,
 } from "rxjs";
 
 import { defaultSessionTimings, MatrixRTCMode } from "./config";
@@ -34,6 +36,7 @@ import { mapScoped } from "./utils/mapScoped";
 import {
   type DataMessage,
   type LocalRTCMember,
+  type ParticipationState,
   type RemoteRTCMember,
   type RTCMember,
   type RTCParticipation,
@@ -59,8 +62,8 @@ import {
   createRemoteRTCMember,
 } from "./matrixrtc/Members";
 import { createKeyRotationSuppressed$ } from "./matrixrtc/JsRtcSessionBehaviors";
-import { fatalError, participationStatus } from "./matrixrtc/status";
 import { type TransportRegistry } from "./matrixrtc/Transports";
+import { participationState } from "./participationState";
 
 /** What the slot lends a participation. */
 export interface ParticipationDeps {
@@ -124,7 +127,7 @@ export function createRTCParticipation(
     mediaKeys$: mediaKeys$(jsSdkSession),
     timings,
     logger,
-    });
+  });
 
   const preparedTransport$ = from(
     discoverLocalTransport(client, backend.transportType, options, logger).then(
@@ -137,7 +140,6 @@ export function createRTCParticipation(
 
   const localMembership = createLocalMembership$({
     scope,
-    local: backend.local,
     delegateDelayedLeave: async (delayId) =>
       backend.delegateDelayedLeave(delayId),
     preparedTransport$,
@@ -228,22 +230,32 @@ export function createRTCParticipation(
     filter((message) => message !== null),
   );
 
-  const left$ = new BehaviorSubject(false);
-  const status$ = scope.behavior(
-    combineLatest(
-      [
-        localMembership.state$,
-        localMembership.connected$,
-        localMembership.reconnecting$,
-        left$,
-      ],
-      participationStatus,
+  // Nothing leaves this device while it may already have been dropped from
+  // the session: the member would show as away while still being heard
+  localMembership.state$
+    .pipe(
+      map((membership) => membership.kind === "joined"),
+      distinctUntilChanged(),
+      scope.bind(),
+    )
+    .subscribe((publish) => backend.local.setPublishing(publish));
+
+  const state$ = scope.behavior<ParticipationState>(
+    combineLatest([
+      localMembership.state$,
+      backend.local.connectionState$,
+    ]).pipe(
+      scan(
+        (previous, [membership, media]) =>
+          participationState(previous, membership, media),
+        { kind: "waitingForTransport" } as ParticipationState,
+      ),
+      distinctUntilChanged(deepCompare),
     ),
   );
 
   const leave = (): void => {
-    if (left$.value) return;
-    left$.next(true);
+    if (state$.value.kind === "left") return;
     localMembership.leave();
     scope.end();
   };
@@ -253,11 +265,7 @@ export function createRTCParticipation(
     participation: {
       slot,
       leave,
-      status$,
-      connected$: localMembership.connected$,
-      reconnecting$: localMembership.reconnecting$,
-      disconnectReason$: localMembership.disconnectReason$,
-      fatalError$: scope.behavior(localMembership.state$.pipe(map(fatalError))),
+      state$,
       localMember$,
       remoteMembers$,
       publish: async (request) => backend.local.publish(request),
diff --git a/sdk/src/api.ts b/sdk/src/api.ts
index 80df023d8..5353e8ee4 100644
--- a/sdk/src/api.ts
+++ b/sdk/src/api.ts
@@ -121,31 +121,44 @@ export interface RTCParticipationOptions {
   backend?: MediaBackendFactory;
 }
 
-export type ParticipationStatus =
-  | "waitingForTransport"
-  | "connecting"
-  | "connected"
-  | "reconnecting"
-  | "disconnected"
-  /** `leave()` was called; the participation is over and stays so. */
-  | "left";
+/**
+ * The homeserver link that is down, in the order they depend on each other:
+ * without sync the membership is unknowable, and without a confirmed
+ * membership the delayed leave cannot be refreshed.
+ */
+export type MatrixDisconnectReason = "sync" | "membership" | "probablyLeft";
 
-/** Why the participation is not connected: the first failing of its three links. */
-export type DisconnectReason = "sync" | "membership" | "probablyLeft" | "media";
+/**
+ * Why the participation is not connected: the first failing link, in the
+ * order they depend on each other. The media connection comes last because
+ * it is worth little while the Matrix side is down.
+ */
+export type DisconnectReason = MatrixDisconnectReason | "media";
+
+export type ParticipationState =
+  /** Asking the homeserver for a transport, or preparing it. */
+  | { kind: "waitingForTransport" }
+  /** Transport known; joining the session and connecting the media for the first time. */
+  | { kind: "connecting" }
+  /** Membership joined and the local media connection up. */
+  | { kind: "connected" }
+  /** Was connected and one link is down. Back to `connected` or on to `failed`. */
+  | { kind: "reconnecting"; reason: DisconnectReason }
+  /**
+   * The membership or the media connection ended with an error. Terminal
+   * unless `left`. A failed publication is not fatal: the member can still
+   * receive, so it stays on the local member's media.
+   */
+  | { kind: "failed"; error: MatrixRTCError }
+  /** `leave()` was called. Terminal. */
+  | { kind: "left" };
 
 /** The span between our `join()` of a slot and our `leave()`. */
 export interface RTCParticipation {
   readonly slot: RTCSlot;
   /** Sends the leave, tears the connections down and ends the participation. */
   leave(): void;
-  /** Collapsed view of the local member's state machine. */
-  status$: Behavior<ParticipationStatus>;
-  connected$: Behavior<boolean>;
-  reconnecting$: Behavior<boolean>;
-  /** Null while connected, the first failing link otherwise. */
-  disconnectReason$: Behavior<DisconnectReason | null>;
-  /** A transport, Matrix or connection error that stops the participation. */
-  fatalError$: Behavior<MatrixRTCError | null>;
+  state$: Behavior<ParticipationState>;
 
   /** Null until our own membership has been seen in the room. */
   localMember$: Behavior<LocalRTCMember | null>;
diff --git a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.test.ts b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.test.ts
index 85daf53ed..c58b8e6d1 100644
--- a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.test.ts
+++ b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.test.ts
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ describe("createHomeserverConnected$", () => {
   // Note: gracePeriodMs is set to 0 to avoid debouncing delays in tests
   it("reports syncing reason when sync state is not Syncing", () => {
     const hsConnected = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "sync"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("sync");
   });
 
   it("reports membership reason when sync is Syncing but membership is not Connected", () => {
     const hsConnected = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "membership"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("membership");
   });
 
   it("reports probablyLeft reason when membership transitions to Connected but ProbablyLeft is true", () => {
@@ -116,17 +116,17 @@ describe("createHomeserverConnected$", () => {
     // Indicate probable leave before connection
     session.setProbablyLeft(true);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "probablyLeft"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("probablyLeft");
   });
 
   it("becomes null (connected) only when all three conditions are satisfied", () => {
     const hsConnected = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
     // 1. Sync loop connected
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "membership"]); // not yet membership connected
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("membership"); // not yet membership connected
     // 2. Membership connected
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]); // probablyLeft is false
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null); // probablyLeft is false
   });
 
   it("returns syncing reason when sync loop leaves Syncing", () => {
@@ -134,76 +134,76 @@ describe("createHomeserverConnected$", () => {
     // Reach connected state
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
 
     // Sync loop error => should report syncing reason
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Error);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "sync"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("sync");
   });
 
   it("returns membershipConnected reason when membership status becomes disconnected", () => {
     const hsConnected = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
 
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Disconnected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "membership"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("membership");
   });
 
   it("returns certainlyConnected reason when ProbablyLeft is emitted", () => {
     const hsConnected = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
 
     session.setProbablyLeft(true);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "probablyLeft"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("probablyLeft");
   });
 
   it("recovers to null (connected) if ProbablyLeft becomes false again while other conditions remain true", () => {
     const hsConnected = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
 
     session.setProbablyLeft(true);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "probablyLeft"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("probablyLeft");
 
     // Simulate clearing the flag (in realistic scenario membership manager would update)
     session.setProbablyLeft(false);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
   });
 
   it("composite sequence reflects each individual failure reason", () => {
     const hsConnected = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
 
     // Initially: sync error + membership disconnected → syncing wins (highest priority)
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "sync"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("sync");
 
     // Fix sync only → membershipConnected is now the blocker
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "membership"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("membership");
 
     // Fix membership → all conditions satisfied
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
 
     // Introduce probablyLeft → certainlyConnected
     session.setProbablyLeft(true);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "probablyLeft"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("probablyLeft");
 
     // Restore notProbablyLeft → connected again
     session.setProbablyLeft(false);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
 
     // Drop sync → syncing reason
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Error);
-    expect(hsConnected.combined$.value).toEqual([false, "sync"]);
+    expect(hsConnected.disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("sync");
   });
 });
 
-describe("createHomeserverConnected$ - combined$ reason values", () => {
+describe("createHomeserverConnected$ - disconnectReason$ reason values", () => {
   let scope: ObservableScope;
   let client: MockMatrixClient;
   let session: MockMatrixRTCSession;
@@ -222,57 +222,87 @@ describe("createHomeserverConnected$ - combined$ reason values", () => {
     scope.end();
   });
 
-  it("is [true, null] when all three conditions are satisfied", () => {
-    const { combined$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
+  it("is null when all three conditions are satisfied", () => {
+    const { disconnectReason$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(
+      scope,
+      client,
+      session,
+      0,
+    );
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
   });
 
   it("reports syncing when sync loop is not Syncing", () => {
-    const { combined$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
+    const { disconnectReason$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(
+      scope,
+      client,
+      session,
+      0,
+    );
     // client starts with SyncState.Error, membership also disconnected
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([false, "sync"]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("sync");
   });
 
   it("reports membershipConnected when sync is fine but membership is not Connected", () => {
-    const { combined$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
+    const { disconnectReason$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(
+      scope,
+      client,
+      session,
+      0,
+    );
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
     // session still Status.Disconnected
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([false, "membership"]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("membership");
   });
 
   it("reports certainlyConnected when probablyLeft is true", () => {
-    const { combined$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
+    const { disconnectReason$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(
+      scope,
+      client,
+      session,
+      0,
+    );
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
     session.setProbablyLeft(true);
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([false, "probablyLeft"]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("probablyLeft");
   });
 
   it("prioritises syncing over membershipConnected when both fail", () => {
-    const { combined$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
+    const { disconnectReason$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(
+      scope,
+      client,
+      session,
+      0,
+    );
     // Both sync (Error) and membership (Disconnected) are failing
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([false, "sync"]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("sync");
   });
 
   it("updates reason as conditions change", () => {
-    const { combined$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(scope, client, session, 0);
+    const { disconnectReason$ } = createHomeserverConnected$(
+      scope,
+      client,
+      session,
+      0,
+    );
     // Initially: syncing fails
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([false, "sync"]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("sync");
 
     // Fix sync → membershipConnected is now the blocker
     client.setSyncState(SyncState.Syncing);
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([false, "membership"]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("membership");
 
     // Fix membership → probablyLeft makes certainlyConnected fail
     session.setProbablyLeft(true);
     session.setMembershipStatus(Status.Connected);
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([false, "probablyLeft"]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual("probablyLeft");
 
     // Clear probablyLeft → all conditions satisfied
     session.setProbablyLeft(false);
-    expect(combined$.value).toEqual([true, null]);
+    expect(disconnectReason$.value).toEqual(null);
   });
 });
 
@@ -303,10 +333,13 @@ describe("createHomeserverConnected$ - Grace Period", () => {
         session,
         GRACE_PERIOD,
       );
-      expectObservable(hsConnected.combined$).toBe(expectedConnectedMarbles, {
-        y: [true, null],
-        n: [false, "sync"],
-      });
+      expectObservable(hsConnected.disconnectReason$).toBe(
+        expectedConnectedMarbles,
+        {
+          y: null,
+          n: "sync",
+        },
+      );
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.ts b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.ts
index efcf4cc7d..a1edaf6ea 100644
--- a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.ts
+++ b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/HomeserverConnected.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import { logger as rootLogger } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/logger";
 import { type ObservableScope } from "../reactive/ObservableScope";
 import { type Behavior } from "../reactive/Behavior";
 import { defaultSessionTimings } from "../config";
+import { type MatrixDisconnectReason } from "../api";
 
 type NodeEventHandler = (...args: unknown[]) => void;
 
@@ -37,22 +38,16 @@ interface NodeStyleEventEmitter {
   removeListener(eventName: string | symbol, handler: NodeEventHandler): this;
 }
 
-export type HomeserverDisconnectReason = "sync" | "membership" | "probablyLeft";
-
 export interface HomeserverConnected {
-  /**
-   * Emits `[true, null]` when the homeserver connection is healthy, or
-   * `[false, reason]` when one of the three sub-conditions fails.
-   */
-  combined$: Behavior<[boolean, HomeserverDisconnectReason | null]>;
-  rtsSession$: Behavior<Status>;
+  /** Null while the homeserver connection is healthy, the first failing link otherwise. */
+  disconnectReason$: Behavior<MatrixDisconnectReason | null>;
 }
 
 /**
  * Behavior representing whether we consider ourselves connected to the Matrix homeserver
  * for the purposes of a MatrixRTC session.
  *
- * `combined$` emits `null` when all conditions are satisfied, or the first failing
+ * `disconnectReason$` emits `null` when all conditions are satisfied, or the first failing
  * reason (priority: syncing > membershipConnected > certainlyConnected):
  * 1. Sync loop is not in SyncState.Syncing (after grace period) → "sync"
  * 2. membershipStatus !== Status.Connected → "membership"
@@ -118,26 +113,19 @@ export function createHomeserverConnected$(
     map(() => matrixRTCSession.probablyLeft !== true),
   );
 
-  const combined$ = scope.behavior(
+  const disconnectReason$ = scope.behavior(
     combineLatest([syncing$, membershipConnected$, certainlyConnected$]).pipe(
-      map(
-        ([syncing, membership, certainly]): [
-          boolean,
-          HomeserverDisconnectReason | null,
-        ] => {
-          if (!syncing) return [false, "sync"];
-          if (!membership) return [false, "membership"];
-          if (!certainly) return [false, "probablyLeft"];
-          return [true, null];
-        },
-      ),
-      tap(([connected, reason]) => {
-        logger.info(
-          `Homeserver connected update: ${connected ? "connected" : reason}`,
-        );
+      map(([syncing, membership, certainly]): MatrixDisconnectReason | null => {
+        if (!syncing) return "sync";
+        if (!membership) return "membership";
+        if (!certainly) return "probablyLeft";
+        return null;
+      }),
+      tap((reason) => {
+        logger.info(`Homeserver connected update: ${reason ?? "connected"}`);
       }),
     ),
   );
 
-  return { combined$, rtsSession$ };
+  return { disconnectReason$ };
 }
diff --git a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.test.ts b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.test.ts
index 77ea070a6..0805d1084 100644
--- a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.test.ts
+++ b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.test.ts
@@ -5,77 +5,57 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
 Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
 */
 
-import { logger } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/logger";
-import { Status, type Transport } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/matrixrtc";
-import {
-  BehaviorSubject,
-  EMPTY,
-  type Observable,
-  Subject,
-  throwError,
-} from "rxjs";
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { type Transport } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/matrixrtc";
+import { logger } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/logger";
+import { BehaviorSubject, type Observable, Subject, throwError } from "rxjs";
 
 import { defaultSessionTimings } from "../config";
 import { MatrixRTCError } from "../errors";
-import {
-  type LocalMediaBackend,
-  MediaConnectionState,
-} from "../media-backend/api";
 import { type HomeserverConnected } from "./HomeserverConnected";
 import {
   createLocalMembership$,
   type LocalMembership,
   type PreparedTransport,
-  PublishState,
-  TransportState,
 } from "./LocalMembership";
 import { flushPromises, testScope } from "../utils/test";
 
 const transport: Transport = { type: "livekit", livekit_service_url: "u" };
 
 describe("createLocalMembership$", () => {
-  it("waits for the transport, then reports the media connection and the join", async () => {
-    const { membership, local, prepared$ } = setup();
-    expect(membership.state$.value).toBe(TransportState.Waiting);
+  it("waits for the transport, joins, and leaves on leave()", async () => {
+    const { membership, homeserver, prepared$ } = setup();
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "waitingForTransport" });
 
+    homeserver.disconnectReason$.next("membership");
     prepared$.next({ transport, canDelegateDelayedLeave: false });
-    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({
-      media: { connection: MediaConnectionState.Initialized },
-      matrix: Status.Connected,
-    });
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "joining" });
 
-    local.connectionState$.next(MediaConnectionState.Connected);
-    await flushPromises();
-    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({
-      media: PublishState.Publishing,
-      matrix: Status.Connected,
-    });
-    expect(membership.connected$.value).toBe(true);
+    homeserver.disconnectReason$.next(null);
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "joined" });
 
     membership.leave();
-    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({
-      media: PublishState.WaitingForUser,
-      matrix: Status.Connected,
-    });
+    await flushPromises();
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "left" });
   });
 
-  it("publishes only while joined and the homeserver is reachable", async () => {
-    const { membership, local, homeserver } = setup();
-    expect(local.setPublishing).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(true);
+  it("reconnects only after it was joined once", () => {
+    const { membership, homeserver, prepared$ } = setup();
+    prepared$.next({ transport, canDelegateDelayedLeave: false });
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "joined" });
 
-    homeserver.combined$.next([false, "sync"]);
-    expect(local.setPublishing).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
-    homeserver.combined$.next([true, null]);
-    expect(local.setPublishing).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(true);
-
-    membership.leave();
-    expect(local.setPublishing).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
-    // A sync outage after leaving must not bring the media back
-    homeserver.combined$.next([false, "sync"]);
-    homeserver.combined$.next([true, null]);
-    expect(local.setPublishing).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(false);
-    await flushPromises();
+    homeserver.disconnectReason$.next("sync");
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({
+      kind: "reconnecting",
+      reason: "sync",
+    });
+    homeserver.disconnectReason$.next("probablyLeft");
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({
+      kind: "reconnecting",
+      reason: "probablyLeft",
+    });
+    homeserver.disconnectReason$.next(null);
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "joined" });
   });
 
   it("joins with the delegated timings and hands over each delay id where the backend can", async () => {
@@ -107,57 +87,54 @@ describe("createLocalMembership$", () => {
     expect(delegate).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
-  it("reports a transport that could not be prepared as fatal", () => {
+  it("reports a transport that could not be prepared as failed", () => {
     const error = new MatrixRTCError("no token");
     const { membership } = setup(throwError(() => error));
-    expect(membership.state$.value).toBe(error);
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "failed", error });
   });
 
-  it("reports a connection loss and a publish failure in the media state", () => {
-    const { membership, local, prepared$ } = setup();
+  it("reports the membership manager giving up as failed, and stays failed", () => {
+    const { membership, homeserver, prepared$, membershipManagerError$ } =
+      setup();
     prepared$.next({ transport, canDelegateDelayedLeave: false });
-    local.connectionState$.next(MediaConnectionState.Connected);
-
-    local.connectionState$.next(MediaConnectionState.Reconnecting);
-    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({
-      media: { connection: MediaConnectionState.Reconnecting },
-      matrix: Status.Connected,
-    });
-    expect(membership.disconnectReason$.value).toBe("media");
-    expect(membership.reconnecting$.value).toBe(true);
-
-    const failure = new MatrixRTCError("no camera");
-    local.publishError$.next(failure);
+    membershipManagerError$.next(new Error("gave up"));
     const state = membership.state$.value;
-    expect(typeof state === "object" && "media" in state && state.media).toBe(
-      failure,
-    );
+    expect(state.kind).toBe("failed");
+
+    homeserver.disconnectReason$.next("sync");
+    homeserver.disconnectReason$.next(null);
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toBe(state);
+  });
+
+  it("is left after a failure once leave() is called", () => {
+    const { membership } = setup(throwError(() => new MatrixRTCError("x")));
+    membership.leave();
+    expect(membership.state$.value).toEqual({ kind: "left" });
   });
 });
 
 function setup(preparedTransportWithErrors$?: Observable<PreparedTransport>): {
   membership: LocalMembership;
-  local: FakeLocalMediaBackend;
   homeserver: FakeHomeserverConnected;
   prepared$: Subject<PreparedTransport>;
   delayId$: BehaviorSubject<string | null>;
+  membershipManagerError$: Subject<unknown>;
   joinMatrixRTC: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
   delegate: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>;
 } {
   const prepared$ = new Subject<PreparedTransport>();
-  const local = fakeLocalMediaBackend();
   const homeserver = fakeHomeserverConnected();
   const delayId$ = new BehaviorSubject<string | null>(null);
+  const membershipManagerError$ = new Subject<unknown>();
   const joinMatrixRTC = vi.fn();
   const delegate = vi.fn(async () => Promise.resolve());
   const membership = createLocalMembership$({
     scope: testScope(),
-    local,
     delegateDelayedLeave: delegate,
     preparedTransport$: preparedTransportWithErrors$ ?? prepared$,
     homeserverConnected: homeserver,
     joinMatrixRTC,
-    membershipManagerError$: new Subject(),
+    membershipManagerError$,
     matrixRTCSession: {
       leaveRoomSession: vi.fn(async () => Promise.resolve(true)),
     },
@@ -167,48 +144,25 @@ function setup(preparedTransportWithErrors$?: Observable<PreparedTransport>): {
   });
   return {
     membership,
-    local,
     homeserver,
     prepared$,
     delayId$,
+    membershipManagerError$,
     joinMatrixRTC,
     delegate,
   };
 }
 
-type FakeLocalMediaBackend = Omit<
-  LocalMediaBackend,
-  "connectionState$" | "publishError$" | "setPublishing"
-> & {
-  connectionState$: BehaviorSubject<MediaConnectionState | Error>;
-  publishError$: BehaviorSubject<Error | null>;
-  setPublishing: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn<LocalMediaBackend["setPublishing"]>>;
-};
-
-function fakeLocalMediaBackend(): FakeLocalMediaBackend {
-  return {
-    connectionState$: new BehaviorSubject<MediaConnectionState | Error>(
-      MediaConnectionState.Initialized,
-    ),
-    tracks$: new BehaviorSubject(null),
-    encryptionError$: EMPTY,
-    setPublishing: vi.fn<LocalMediaBackend["setPublishing"]>(),
-    publishError$: new BehaviorSubject<Error | null>(null),
-    publish: vi.fn<LocalMediaBackend["publish"]>(),
-    unpublish: vi.fn<LocalMediaBackend["unpublish"]>(),
-  };
-}
-
-type FakeHomeserverConnected = Omit<HomeserverConnected, "combined$"> & {
-  combined$: BehaviorSubject<HomeserverConnected["combined$"]["value"]>;
+type FakeHomeserverConnected = {
+  disconnectReason$: BehaviorSubject<
+    HomeserverConnected["disconnectReason$"]["value"]
+  >;
 };
 
 function fakeHomeserverConnected(): FakeHomeserverConnected {
   return {
-    combined$: new BehaviorSubject<HomeserverConnected["combined$"]["value"]>([
-      true,
-      null,
-    ]),
-    rtsSession$: new BehaviorSubject(Status.Connected),
+    disconnectReason$: new BehaviorSubject<
+      HomeserverConnected["disconnectReason$"]["value"]
+    >(null),
   };
 }
diff --git a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.ts b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.ts
index 1b64e7bdb..aa142c425 100644
--- a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.ts
+++ b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/LocalMembership.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
 import { type Logger } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/logger";
 import {
   type MatrixRTCSession as JsSdkRTCSession,
-  type Status as RTCSessionStatus,
   type Transport,
 } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/matrixrtc";
 import { deepCompare } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/utils";
@@ -16,53 +15,40 @@ import {
   BehaviorSubject,
   catchError,
   combineLatest,
-  concat,
   distinctUntilChanged,
-  map,
   NEVER,
   type Observable,
-  of,
-  pairwise,
-  race,
-  Subject,
-  switchMap,
+  scan,
 } from "rxjs";
 
 import { type Behavior } from "../reactive/Behavior";
 import { type ObservableScope } from "../reactive/ObservableScope";
 import { type DelayedLeaveTimings, type SessionTimings } from "../config";
-import { type DisconnectReason } from "../api";
+import { type MatrixDisconnectReason } from "../api";
 import {
   type MatrixRTCError,
   MembershipManagerError,
   toMatrixRTCError,
 } from "../errors";
 import {
-  type LocalMediaBackend,
   type MediaBackend,
-  MediaConnectionState,
   type TransportCapabilities,
 } from "../media-backend/api";
 import { type HomeserverConnected } from "./HomeserverConnected";
 
-export enum TransportState {
-  Waiting = "transport_waiting",
-}
-
-export enum PublishState {
-  WaitingForUser = "publish_waiting_for_user",
-  Publishing = "publish_publishing",
-}
-
-export type LocalMemberMediaState =
-  | { connection: MediaConnectionState | MatrixRTCError }
-  | PublishState
-  | MatrixRTCError;
-
-export type LocalMemberState =
-  | MatrixRTCError
-  | TransportState.Waiting
-  | { media: LocalMemberMediaState; matrix: MatrixRTCError | RTCSessionStatus };
+export type MembershipState =
+  /** Asking the homeserver for a transport, or preparing it. */
+  | { kind: "waitingForTransport" }
+  /** Transport known; sending the membership for the first time. */
+  | { kind: "joining" }
+  /** Syncing, membership confirmed by the server, delayed leave still being refreshed. */
+  | { kind: "joined" }
+  /** Was joined and one homeserver link is down; the membership manager is retrying. */
+  | { kind: "reconnecting"; reason: MatrixDisconnectReason }
+  /** A transport, join or membership manager error ended the membership. Terminal unless `left`. */
+  | { kind: "failed"; error: MatrixRTCError }
+  /** `leave()` was called. Terminal. */
+  | { kind: "left" };
 
 /** The local transport, found and prepared, with what the join needs to know about it. */
 export interface PreparedTransport extends TransportCapabilities {
@@ -71,7 +57,6 @@ export interface PreparedTransport extends TransportCapabilities {
 
 interface Props {
   scope: ObservableScope;
-  local: LocalMediaBackend;
   delegateDelayedLeave: MediaBackend["delegateDelayedLeave"];
   preparedTransport$: Observable<PreparedTransport>;
   homeserverConnected: HomeserverConnected;
@@ -89,23 +74,18 @@ interface Props {
 }
 
 export interface LocalMembership {
-  /** Sends the leave and stops publishing. Final: there is no joining again. */
+  /** Sends the leave. Final: there is no joining again. */
   leave: () => void;
-  state$: Behavior<LocalMemberState>;
-  /** Fully connected: to the homeserver, the session and the transport. */
-  connected$: Behavior<boolean>;
-  /** Connected once, and currently not. */
-  reconnecting$: Behavior<boolean>;
-  disconnectReason$: Behavior<DisconnectReason | null>;
+  state$: Behavior<MembershipState>;
 }
 
 /**
- * The local member's state machine: waits for the transport, then publishes
- * and enters the MatrixRTC session, and leaves both in step on `leave()`.
+ * The Matrix side of the local member: waits for the transport, enters the
+ * MatrixRTC session, keeps the delayed leave delegated, and leaves on
+ * `leave()`. Knows nothing about the media.
  */
 export function createLocalMembership$({
   scope,
-  local,
   delegateDelayedLeave,
   preparedTransport$: preparedTransportWithErrors$,
   homeserverConnected,
@@ -118,30 +98,20 @@ export function createLocalMembership$({
 }: Props): LocalMembership {
   const logger = parentLogger.getChild("[LocalMembership]");
 
-  const fatalTransportError$ = new Subject<MatrixRTCError>();
-  const preparedTransport$ = preparedTransportWithErrors$.pipe(
-    catchError((e: unknown) => {
-      fatalTransportError$.next(toMatrixRTCError(e));
-      return NEVER;
-    }),
-  );
+  const transportError$ = new BehaviorSubject<MatrixRTCError | null>(null);
   const transport$ = scope.behavior<PreparedTransport | null>(
-    preparedTransport$,
+    preparedTransportWithErrors$.pipe(
+      catchError((e: unknown) => {
+        transportError$.next(toMatrixRTCError(e));
+        return NEVER;
+      }),
+    ),
     null,
   );
 
   const joined$ = new BehaviorSubject(true);
   const matrixError$ = new BehaviorSubject<MatrixRTCError | null>(null);
 
-  // Nothing leaves this device while it may already have been dropped from
-  // the session: the member would show as away while still being heard
-  combineLatest(
-    [joined$, homeserverConnected.combined$],
-    (joined, [connected]) => joined && connected,
-  )
-    .pipe(distinctUntilChanged(), scope.bind())
-    .subscribe((publish) => local.setPublishing(publish));
-
   scope.reconcile(
     scope.behavior(combineLatest([transport$, joined$])),
     async ([prepared, joined]) => {
@@ -189,78 +159,52 @@ export function createLocalMembership$({
       );
   });
 
-  const mediaState$ = scope.behavior<LocalMemberMediaState>(
-    combineLatest([local.connectionState$, joined$]).pipe(
-      map(([connectionState, joined]) => {
-        if (connectionState !== MediaConnectionState.Connected)
-          return {
-            connection:
-              connectionState instanceof Error
-                ? toMatrixRTCError(connectionState)
-                : connectionState,
-          };
-        return joined ? PublishState.Publishing : PublishState.WaitingForUser;
-      }),
+  const state$ = scope.behavior<MembershipState>(
+    combineLatest([
+      joined$,
+      transportError$,
+      matrixError$,
+      transport$,
+      homeserverConnected.disconnectReason$,
+    ]).pipe(
+      scan(
+        (previous, [joined, transportError, matrixError, transport, reason]) =>
+          membershipState(previous, {
+            joined,
+            error: transportError ?? matrixError,
+            hasTransport: transport !== null,
+            reason,
+          }),
+        { kind: "waitingForTransport" } as MembershipState,
+      ),
       distinctUntilChanged(deepCompare),
     ),
   );
 
-  const state$ = scope.behavior<LocalMemberState>(
-    concat(
-      of(TransportState.Waiting),
-      race(
-        fatalTransportError$,
-        preparedTransport$.pipe(
-          switchMap(() =>
-            combineLatest(
-              [
-                mediaState$,
-                homeserverConnected.rtsSession$,
-                matrixError$,
-                local.publishError$,
-              ],
-              (media, sessionStatus, matrixError, publishError) => ({
-                matrix: matrixError ?? sessionStatus,
-                media: publishError ? toMatrixRTCError(publishError) : media,
-              }),
-            ),
-          ),
-        ),
-      ),
-    ),
-  );
-
-  const disconnectReason$ = scope.behavior(
-    combineLatest(
-      [homeserverConnected.combined$, local.connectionState$],
-      (
-        [homeserverConnected, reason],
-        connectionState,
-      ): DisconnectReason | null => {
-        if (!homeserverConnected) return reason ?? "sync";
-        if (connectionState !== MediaConnectionState.Connected) return "media";
-        return null;
-      },
-    ),
-  );
-
-  const connected$ = scope.behavior(
-    disconnectReason$.pipe(map((reason) => reason === null)),
-  );
-
-  const reconnecting$ = scope.behavior(
-    connected$.pipe(
-      pairwise(),
-      map(([was, is]) => was && !is),
-    ),
-    false,
-  );
-
   return {
     leave: () => joined$.next(false),
     state$,
-    connected$,
-    reconnecting$,
-    disconnectReason$,
   };
 }
+
+interface MembershipInputs {
+  joined: boolean;
+  error: MatrixRTCError | null;
+  hasTransport: boolean;
+  reason: MatrixDisconnectReason | null;
+}
+
+/** The next state, in priority order; `left` and `failed` are absorbing. */
+function membershipState(
+  previous: MembershipState,
+  { joined, error, hasTransport, reason }: MembershipInputs,
+): MembershipState {
+  if (!joined) return { kind: "left" };
+  if (previous.kind === "failed") return previous;
+  if (error !== null) return { kind: "failed", error };
+  if (!hasTransport) return { kind: "waitingForTransport" };
+  if (reason === null) return { kind: "joined" };
+  const wasJoined =
+    previous.kind === "joined" || previous.kind === "reconnecting";
+  return wasJoined ? { kind: "reconnecting", reason } : { kind: "joining" };
+}
diff --git a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/status.test.ts b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/status.test.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 12444cfac..000000000
--- a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/status.test.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,85 +0,0 @@
-/*
-Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
-
-SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
-Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
-*/
-
-import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
-import { Status } from "matrix-js-sdk/lib/matrixrtc";
-
-import { MediaConnectionState } from "../media-backend/api";
-import { MatrixRTCError } from "../api";
-import {
-  type LocalMemberState,
-  PublishState,
-  TransportState,
-} from "./LocalMembership";
-import { fatalError, participationStatus } from "./status";
-
-const publishing: LocalMemberState = {
-  media: PublishState.Publishing,
-  matrix: Status.Connected,
-};
-const connecting: LocalMemberState = {
-  media: { connection: MediaConnectionState.Connecting },
-  matrix: Status.Connecting,
-};
-const error = new MatrixRTCError("gone");
-
-describe("participationStatus", () => {
-  it.each<[string, LocalMemberState, boolean, boolean, boolean, string]>([
-    [
-      "no transport yet",
-      TransportState.Waiting,
-      false,
-      false,
-      false,
-      "waitingForTransport",
-    ],
-    ["joining", connecting, false, false, false, "connecting"],
-    ["connected", publishing, true, false, false, "connected"],
-    [
-      "dropped after connecting",
-      connecting,
-      false,
-      true,
-      false,
-      "reconnecting",
-    ],
-    ["a transport error", error, false, false, false, "disconnected"],
-    [
-      "a matrix error",
-      { ...publishing, matrix: error },
-      true,
-      false,
-      false,
-      "disconnected",
-    ],
-    ["left", publishing, true, false, true, "left"],
-    ["left after an error", error, false, false, true, "left"],
-  ])("%s", (_name, state, connected, reconnecting, left, expected) => {
-    expect(participationStatus(state, connected, reconnecting, left)).toBe(
-      expected,
-    );
-  });
-});
-
-describe("fatalError", () => {
-  it("is null while nothing is wrong", () => {
-    expect(fatalError(TransportState.Waiting)).toBeNull();
-    expect(fatalError(publishing)).toBeNull();
-  });
-
-  it("finds the error wherever the state holds it", () => {
-    expect(fatalError(error)).toBe(error);
-    expect(fatalError({ ...publishing, matrix: error })).toBe(error);
-    expect(
-      fatalError({ media: { connection: error }, matrix: Status.Connected }),
-    ).toBe(error);
-  });
-
-  it("does not treat a publish error as fatal", () => {
-    expect(fatalError({ media: error, matrix: Status.Connected })).toBeNull();
-  });
-});
diff --git a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/status.ts b/sdk/src/matrixrtc/status.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index f4de21e47..000000000
--- a/sdk/src/matrixrtc/status.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,38 +0,0 @@
-/*
-Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
-
-SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
-Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
-*/
-
-import { type MatrixRTCError, type ParticipationStatus } from "../api";
-import { type LocalMemberState, TransportState } from "./LocalMembership";
-
-/** The local member's state, collapsed to what a host shows. */
-export function participationStatus(
-  state: LocalMemberState,
-  connected: boolean,
-  reconnecting: boolean,
-  left: boolean,
-): ParticipationStatus {
-  if (left) return "left";
-  if (fatalError(state) !== null) return "disconnected";
-  if (state === TransportState.Waiting) return "waitingForTransport";
-  if (connected) return "connected";
-  if (reconnecting) return "reconnecting";
-  return "connecting";
-}
-
-/** The error that stops the participation, if the state holds one. */
-export function fatalError(state: LocalMemberState): MatrixRTCError | null {
-  if (state === TransportState.Waiting) return null;
-  if (state instanceof Error) return state;
-  if (state.matrix instanceof Error) return state.matrix;
-  if (
-    typeof state.media === "object" &&
-    "connection" in state.media &&
-    state.media.connection instanceof Error
-  )
-    return state.media.connection;
-  return null;
-}
diff --git a/sdk/src/participationState.test.ts b/sdk/src/participationState.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..aded2f63a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/src/participationState.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+
+SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
+*/
+
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import { MatrixRTCError, type ParticipationState } from "./api";
+import { type MembershipState } from "./matrixrtc/LocalMembership";
+import { MediaConnectionState } from "./media-backend/api";
+import { participationState } from "./participationState";
+
+const error = new MatrixRTCError("gone");
+const waiting: ParticipationState = { kind: "waitingForTransport" };
+const connecting: ParticipationState = { kind: "connecting" };
+const connected: ParticipationState = { kind: "connected" };
+const reconnecting: ParticipationState = {
+  kind: "reconnecting",
+  reason: "media",
+};
+const joined: MembershipState = { kind: "joined" };
+
+describe("participationState", () => {
+  it.each<
+    [
+      string,
+      ParticipationState,
+      MembershipState,
+      MediaConnectionState | Error,
+      ParticipationState,
+    ]
+  >([
+    [
+      "no transport yet",
+      waiting,
+      { kind: "waitingForTransport" },
+      MediaConnectionState.Initialized,
+      waiting,
+    ],
+    [
+      "joining",
+      waiting,
+      { kind: "joining" },
+      MediaConnectionState.Connecting,
+      connecting,
+    ],
+    [
+      "joined, media still connecting",
+      connecting,
+      joined,
+      MediaConnectionState.Connecting,
+      connecting,
+    ],
+    [
+      "both links up",
+      connecting,
+      joined,
+      MediaConnectionState.Connected,
+      connected,
+    ],
+    [
+      "media dropped after connecting",
+      connected,
+      joined,
+      MediaConnectionState.Reconnecting,
+      reconnecting,
+    ],
+    [
+      "homeserver dropped after connecting",
+      connected,
+      { kind: "reconnecting", reason: "sync" },
+      MediaConnectionState.Connected,
+      { kind: "reconnecting", reason: "sync" },
+    ],
+    [
+      "the matrix side wins over the media side",
+      reconnecting,
+      { kind: "reconnecting", reason: "membership" },
+      MediaConnectionState.Reconnecting,
+      { kind: "reconnecting", reason: "membership" },
+    ],
+    [
+      "membership reconnecting before the media ever came up",
+      connecting,
+      { kind: "reconnecting", reason: "sync" },
+      MediaConnectionState.Connecting,
+      connecting,
+    ],
+    [
+      "back from a reconnect",
+      reconnecting,
+      joined,
+      MediaConnectionState.Connected,
+      connected,
+    ],
+    [
+      "a membership error",
+      connected,
+      { kind: "failed", error },
+      MediaConnectionState.Connected,
+      { kind: "failed", error },
+    ],
+    [
+      "a media connection error",
+      connected,
+      joined,
+      error,
+      { kind: "failed", error },
+    ],
+    [
+      "failed stays failed",
+      { kind: "failed", error },
+      joined,
+      MediaConnectionState.Connected,
+      { kind: "failed", error },
+    ],
+    [
+      "left",
+      connected,
+      { kind: "left" },
+      MediaConnectionState.Stopped,
+      { kind: "left" },
+    ],
+    [
+      "left after an error",
+      { kind: "failed", error },
+      { kind: "left" },
+      MediaConnectionState.Stopped,
+      { kind: "left" },
+    ],
+  ])("%s", (_name, previous, membership, media, expected) => {
+    expect(participationState(previous, membership, media)).toEqual(expected);
+  });
+
+  it("wraps a plain media error", () => {
+    const state = participationState(connected, joined, new Error("boom"));
+    expect(state.kind).toBe("failed");
+    if (state.kind === "failed") {
+      expect(state.error).toBeInstanceOf(MatrixRTCError);
+      expect(state.error.cause).toBeInstanceOf(Error);
+    }
+  });
+});
diff --git a/sdk/src/participationState.ts b/sdk/src/participationState.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0fbddc6b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sdk/src/participationState.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2026 Element Creations Ltd.
+
+SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only OR LicenseRef-Element-Commercial
+Please see LICENSE in the repository root for full details.
+*/
+
+import { type ParticipationState } from "./api";
+import { toMatrixRTCError } from "./errors";
+import { type MembershipState } from "./matrixrtc/LocalMembership";
+import { MediaConnectionState } from "./media-backend/api";
+
+/**
+ * The membership combined with the local media connection, in priority
+ * order; `left` and `failed` are absorbing. "Connected once" is tracked here
+ * rather than in the membership because `connected` needs both links.
+ */
+export function participationState(
+  previous: ParticipationState,
+  membership: MembershipState,
+  media: MediaConnectionState | Error,
+): ParticipationState {
+  if (membership.kind === "left") return { kind: "left" };
+  if (previous.kind === "failed") return previous;
+  if (membership.kind === "failed") return membership;
+  if (media instanceof Error)
+    return { kind: "failed", error: toMatrixRTCError(media) };
+  if (membership.kind === "waitingForTransport") return membership;
+  if (membership.kind === "joining") return { kind: "connecting" };
+  const reason =
+    membership.kind === "reconnecting"
+      ? membership.reason
+      : media === MediaConnectionState.Connected
+        ? null
+        : "media";
+  if (reason === null) return { kind: "connected" };
+  const wasConnected =
+    previous.kind === "connected" || previous.kind === "reconnecting";
+  return wasConnected
+    ? { kind: "reconnecting", reason }
+    : { kind: "connecting" };
+}