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

# WhatsApp

> Connect your AI assistant to WhatsApp Business for automated, AI-powered customer conversations.

<Note>
  **External numbers supported** — You can now bring your own mobile number to WhatsApp. Use a platform number or connect your existing mobile number with SMS or voice verification.
</Note>

WhatsApp Business integration lets your AI assistant send and receive messages through the world's most popular messaging platform. Once connected, customers can message your WhatsApp number and receive instant, AI-generated replies around the clock.

## How it works

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Customer] -->|Sends WhatsApp message| B[Your WhatsApp sender]
    B -->|Routes to| C[AI assistant]
    C -->|Generates response| B
    B -->|Replies to| A
```

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a WhatsApp sender">
    Register a phone number with the WhatsApp Business API. You can use a platform number purchased through DialogBot or bring your own mobile number.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect an AI assistant">
    Link an assistant to your sender so incoming messages are handled automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create message templates">
    Submit pre-approved templates to Meta for outbound conversations. Approval typically takes minutes to 24 hours.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start messaging">
    Your sender is live. Customers message you and receive AI-powered replies instantly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key components

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="WhatsApp senders" icon="phone" href="/whatsapp/senders">
    Phone numbers registered for WhatsApp Business messaging.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Message templates" icon="file-lines" href="/whatsapp/templates">
    Pre-approved message formats for business-initiated conversations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conversations" icon="messages" href="/whatsapp/conversations">
    Full history of AI-powered customer interactions via WhatsApp.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Understanding WhatsApp messaging rules

### The 24-hour messaging window

<Info>
  When a customer messages you, a **24-hour window** opens. During this window you can send free-form replies. Once the window closes, you must use an approved template to re-engage the customer.
</Info>

| Scenario                                   | What you can send               |
| ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| Within 24 hours of customer's last message | Any free-form message           |
| After 24 hours                             | Approved template messages only |
| Starting a new conversation                | Approved template messages only |

### Quality rating and messaging limits

Meta monitors your messaging quality and adjusts your daily send limits accordingly. New senders start with a low limit that increases as you maintain a good quality rating.

| Quality level  | Daily message limit |
| -------------- | ------------------- |
| New sender     | \~250 messages      |
| Low quality    | 1,000 messages      |
| Medium quality | 10,000 messages     |
| High quality   | 100,000+ messages   |

<Warning>
  High block rates or spam reports will lower your quality rating and reduce your messaging limits. Only send relevant, expected content.
</Warning>

## Supported features

### Messaging

* Platform numbers — purchase numbers directly through DialogBot with automated verification
* External numbers — bring your own mobile number and verify via SMS or voice call
* AI-powered automated replies
* Template messages (Utility, Marketing, Authentication)
* Voice Call Request templates — request permission to call via WhatsApp

### Media and vision

* **Image analysis** — When a customer sends an image, your AI assistant can analyze it using vision-capable models (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini) and respond to the image content.
* **Voice message transcription** — Incoming voice notes are automatically transcribed based on your assistant's language settings. The transcribed text is sent to the AI just like a regular message.
* **Media attachments** — All inbound media (images, audio, video, documents) are stored as attachments on the conversation and accessible from your dashboard.

### Coming soon

* WhatsApp voice calls

## Next steps

* [Create a WhatsApp sender](/whatsapp/senders) to register your number
* [Set up message templates](/whatsapp/templates) for outbound conversations
* [View conversation history](/whatsapp/conversations) to monitor AI performance