A Python-based virtual office hours application is built using Flask, Twilio's Rooms API, and TinyDB. The app allows users to create a new video room with a customized timeout window and receive an SMS notification when a participant joins the room. The application uses environment variables to store sensitive information such as Twilio account credentials, and it verifies that incoming requests are coming from Twilio before sending notifications. The app can be tested using an ngrok tunnel, which forwards incoming requests to the Flask server. Once set up, users can enter their name, phone number, and room name, and create a new office hours chat. When another participant joins the room, they receive an SMS notification with details about the participant who joined. The app's video rooms can be customized with timeouts that allow the room creator to join when another participant is present.