> ## 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.

# Senders

> Create and manage WhatsApp Business senders — the phone numbers your AI assistant uses to send and receive messages.

A WhatsApp sender is a phone number registered with the WhatsApp Business API and connected to an AI assistant. Senders handle all inbound and outbound WhatsApp messaging for your account.

## Number type options

When creating a sender, choose between two number types:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Platform numbers" icon="building">
    Purchase a number through DialogBot . Verification is handled automatically using AI-assisted voice verification.

    **Best for:** Businesses that want a dedicated business line with automated setup.
  </Card>

  <Card title="External numbers" icon="mobile">
    Use your own existing mobile number. You verify ownership by receiving an SMS or voice call with a 6-digit code.

    **Best for:** Businesses that want to use a number they already own.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Creating a sender

Navigate to **WhatsApp Senders** → **Create Sender** and select your number type to begin.

### Platform number setup

<Warning>
  **Call interception during verification** — During the verification step, ALL inbound calls to the selected number will be intercepted for up to 5 minutes. Your AI assistant will not answer calls during this time. Do not run verification on a production number that is actively receiving customer calls.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pre-verify your number">
    1. Select an available phone number (only "normal" type numbers not already used for WhatsApp are shown).
    2. Enter a **Display Name** for your business — this is what customers will see.
    3. Optionally add business profile information (about, description, address, category).
    4. Click **Start Verification**.

    The system automatically verifies your number with Meta using AI-assisted voice verification. This typically takes 1–2 minutes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your verified number">
    Once verification completes, your number appears in the "Verified Numbers Ready" section. Select it and click **Continue to WhatsApp Connection**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect to WhatsApp Business">
    This step connects your verified number through Meta's Embedded Signup flow.

    <Warning>
      **Create a new account** — In the Facebook signup popup, you must create a brand-new WhatsApp Business Account. Do not select an existing account — this will cause the integration to fail.
    </Warning>

    1. When the Meta popup appears, click **Add new number** — do not enter a number manually.
    2. Select your pre-verified number from the dropdown.
    3. Complete the remaining steps in Facebook's flow (business verification, permissions, etc.).
    4. You will be redirected back automatically when finished.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### External number setup

<Info>
  Before you begin, make sure you have:

  * Your phone nearby to receive a verification code
  * SMS or calls enabled on the number
  * A number not currently registered with WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app
  * A Facebook account to complete the setup
</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enter your phone number">
    1. Enter your number in international format (e.g., +1 555 123 4567).
    2. Enter a **Display Name** for your business.
    3. Click **Continue**.

    <Tip>
      Enter your number starting with `+` and your country code. Examples: `+14155551234` (US), `+447911123456` (UK), `+4915112345678` (Germany).
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Login with Facebook">
    Click **Login with Facebook**. A popup will open — make sure popups are allowed for this site.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a WhatsApp Business Account">
    Follow the prompts to create a **new** WhatsApp Business Account. Do not select an existing account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your phone number in Meta's flow">
    When prompted, enter the same number you provided in step 1.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify with SMS or voice call">
    You will receive a 6-digit code via SMS or voice call. Enter it to verify your number.

    <Tip>
      If you don't receive an SMS within 60 seconds, choose the voice call option instead.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete setup">
    Grant the required permissions and close the popup when finished. You will be redirected automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Troubleshooting external numbers

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Popup blocked">
    Allow popups for this site in your browser settings, then try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Not receiving verification code">
    Wait 60 seconds, then switch to the voice call option. Make sure your phone has signal.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Number already registered with WhatsApp">
    If this number is currently active on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app, you must delete that account first before using the number with WhatsApp Business API.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Facebook login issues">
    Make sure you are logged into the correct Facebook account, or try a different browser.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Sender status

| Status         | Meaning                                                 |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Online**     | Fully operational. You can send and receive messages.   |
| **Connecting** | Being initialized. Usually resolves in a few seconds.   |
| **Pending**    | Awaiting verification or Meta approval.                 |
| **Offline**    | Manually disabled. Messages cannot be sent or received. |
| **Suspended**  | Suspended by Meta due to policy violations.             |
| **Failed**     | Setup failed. Check the error message for details.      |

## Sender configuration

### Connect an AI assistant

Once your sender is online, link an AI assistant to handle incoming messages automatically:

1. Edit your WhatsApp sender.
2. Select an assistant from the dropdown.
3. Enable the **AI Enabled** toggle.
4. Save changes.

All incoming messages will be routed to your AI assistant.

### Business profile

Customize how your business appears to customers in WhatsApp:

| Field                   | Description                                           |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Display Name**        | Your business name shown in chats                     |
| **About**               | Short description (max 139 characters)                |
| **Description**         | Detailed description of your business                 |
| **Address**             | Business address                                      |
| **Business Category**   | Industry category (Automotive, Medical, Retail, etc.) |
| **Logo**                | Business logo image                                   |
| **Banner**              | Banner image for your profile                         |
| **Websites**            | Links to your websites                                |
| **Contact Information** | Additional email and phone contacts                   |

## Quality rating and messaging limits

Meta tracks your messaging quality and adjusts your daily limits based on how customers respond to your messages.

### What affects your quality rating

* Block rates (customers blocking your number)
* Spam reports
* Response rates
* Customer feedback

### Messaging tiers

| Tier   | Daily limit       | How to reach it             |
| ------ | ----------------- | --------------------------- |
| Tier 1 | \~250 messages    | New sender                  |
| Tier 2 | 1,000 messages    | Maintain quality for 7 days |
| Tier 3 | 10,000 messages   | Consistent high quality     |
| Tier 4 | 100,000+ messages | Enterprise-level quality    |

<Tip>
  Focus on quality conversations before scaling. Send relevant, expected content to build your sender reputation.
</Tip>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Verification failed">
    Meta may have temporarily blocked requests. Wait a few minutes before retrying, or try a different phone number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sender stuck in Pending">
    1. Confirm you completed the Meta signup flow.
    2. Ensure you selected the correct pre-verified number.
    3. Contact support if the issue persists after a few minutes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sender suspended">
    1. Review the suspension reason in your sender details.
    2. Address any policy violations.
    3. Contact Meta support to submit an appeal.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

* [Create message templates](/whatsapp/templates) for outbound messaging
* [Review conversation history](/whatsapp/conversations) to monitor AI performance