Get Started

This tutorial provides information on how to set up your WhatsApp Business API client, register your phone number, update your settings, and send a test message.

The process of getting started with this API can be divided into 3 main parts:

1. Prepare assets — Before you start, you must set up the assets required to complete your API integration, including a WhatsApp Business Account.
2. Install the WhatsApp Business API Client — Install your API client. Once your client is working, you can update your application settings.
3. Start using the client — Register your phone number with an API call to /account and send a test message with a call to /messages.

Before You Start

Step 1: Install the WhatsApp Business API Client

Environment

At its core, the WhatsApp Business API client is based on Docker.

Equipment

The WhatsApp Business API client will run on any internet-connected machine that can run Docker for Linux, either in a virtual machine, or on Linux server. For more information see the FAQ. For instance, simple testing can be done on a laptop. For a production environment server, we recommend at least 250 GB SSD, 16 GB RAM, and 4 core CPU. HDD is not recommended as the I/O speeds will become bottlenecks under load.

In most cases, you should run the database on a separate physical server from the Coreapp and Webapp containers. The database server should only be a few milliseconds of latency away from the compute machine(s).

Installation

There are two ways to get started with the WhatsApp Business API:

• On-premise installation — You can set up the Docker containers on your own using the Installation guide. We recommend beginning with one of the Developer Setups to get familiar with the setup process and sending messages.
  This on-premise type solution can be used on your computer before migrating to a production environment.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS): If you use AWS or would like a more standalone solution, see the AWS guide. The AWS solution sets up a whole WhatsApp Business API solution with backups, recovery, and more in an AWS cloud you manage and own.

Update Your Settings

You can make changes to the Application Settings once the WhatsApp Business API client is working. However, you don't get access to your WhatsApp Business API client's different profile settings until registration is complete.

• The Application Settings pertain to how the client works — callback settings, Webhooks, on-call pager, sent status, media download behavior, etc. Note: It is strongly recommended you set up a Webhook URL in order to receive notifications about incoming messages or errors.
• The Business Profile Settings and Profile Settings cover your business's information such as address, email, website, industry, about information, and profile photo.

Step 2: Start Using the Client

Registration

Once you have the WhatsApp Business API client up and running, you can register your phone number by sending an API call to the account endpoint.

Send A Test Message

You can send test messages using the messages endpoint. First, check the status of the phone number you are using for testing. You will need to send your WhatsApp account a message from the test phone number to enable the Customer Service window, which allows you to send any type of message within the 24-hours window (See Cut-off Control for details). Then, send a text message to your test phone number. If the message arrives it means that the installation has been successful. If it doesn't arrive, check your Webhook for notifications that may indicate any problems.

Additional Suggestions

DO Start sending and receiving messages with internal employees first to check that the system is working. Respond to all customers within 24 hours. Abide by our policies outlined in the WhatsApp Business Policy and WhatsApp Commerce Policy. Use multiple phone numbers for development, testing, and production. Check the FAQ before opening a Direct Support ticket. Provide product feedback. Direct Support is the best channel for that. Provide details to reproduce your issue such as logs, support info from the health and support nodes, WADebug data, API calls to reproduce, etc.

DON'T Send duplicate notifications to multiple channels. Send spam. Use 1-800 numbers for testing. Create a Business Manager only for WhatsApp integrations. Use an existing one if available.

If we detect that you have violated any of our guidelines or policies, we reserve the right to limit or remove your access to WhatsApp.

Learn More

• Getting Opt-in
• Postman Collection
• Advanced Setup