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

# WhatsApp

> Send and receive WhatsApp messages via the Cloud API.

WhatsApp is a **messaging-only** integration built on Meta's WhatsApp **Cloud
API**. No publishing, comments or analytics — it's a two-way conversation channel.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Messaging" icon="comments">Send & receive text messages.</Card>
  <Card title="Business info" icon="circle-info">Read WABA & phone numbers.</Card>
</CardGroup>

## Connect

Unlike the OAuth platforms, WhatsApp connects from **server-side credentials**
(phone number id, WhatsApp Business Account id, and an access token) configured
on your PlugKit deployment. One call links them to a profile:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST "https://api.plugkit.co/v1/connect/whatsapp/from-env?profileId=YOUR_PROFILE_ID" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_key"
```

<Note>
  This uses the `WHATSAPP_*` credentials (from Meta → WhatsApp → API Setup) set
  on the server. It's the fastest path for your own number; per-customer
  onboarding via Embedded Signup can be added later.
</Note>

## Send a message

WhatsApp models a thread as a **conversation**. Create/find one for a recipient,
then send:

```bash theme={null}
# create or find the conversation for a phone number (international format)
curl -X POST https://api.plugkit.co/v1/conversations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_key" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "accountId": "ACCOUNT_ID", "contactHandle": "33612345678", "externalConversationId": "33612345678" }'

# then send text into it
curl -X POST https://api.plugkit.co/v1/conversations/CONVERSATION_ID/messages \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_key" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "text": "Hello from PlugKit!" }'
```

<Warning>
  Meta's **24-hour window**: you can freely message a user who wrote to you in
  the last 24h. Outside that window you must send an approved **message
  template**.
</Warning>

## Read the inbox

Inbound messages arrive via [webhooks](/guides/webhooks). List conversations and
messages the same way as any platform:

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://api.plugkit.co/v1/conversations?accountId=ACCOUNT_ID" -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_key"
curl https://api.plugkit.co/v1/conversations/CONVERSATION_ID/messages -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_key"
```

## Business info

Inspect the WhatsApp Business Account and its phone numbers (name, quality
rating, status):

```bash theme={null}
curl https://api.plugkit.co/v1/accounts/ACCOUNT_ID/whatsapp-info \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_key"
```

## Permissions

Uses `whatsapp_business_messaging` (send/receive) and
`whatsapp_business_management` (business info).