WhatsApp

Prompts

Send WhatsApp messages, manage templates, handle media, and automate WhatsApp Business messaging workflows via the WhatsApp Business API. Use this skill when users want to send messages, manage templates, or automate customer communication on WhatsApp.

Install

openclaw skills install whatsapp-messaging

Send WhatsApp messages, manage templates, handle media, and automate WhatsApp Business messaging workflows via the WhatsApp Business API.

This skill uses ClawLink for hosted connection flows and credentials so you do not need to configure WhatsApp API access yourself.

Setup in 3 Steps

Step 1: Install	Step 2: Pair Account	Step 3: Connect WhatsApp
		App-specific connection GIF coming soon
Run the install command in OpenClaw	Sign in and approve the device	Open the dashboard and connect WhatsApp

How It Works

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐
│   OpenClaw      │────▶│   ClawLink   │────▶│  WhatsApp Cloud  │
│   (User Chat)   │     │   (OAuth)    │     │      API         │
└─────────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └──────────────────┘
         │                       │                       │
         │  1. Install Plugin    │                       │
         │  2. Pair Device       │                       │
         │  3. Connect WhatsApp  │                       │
         │                       │  4. Secure Token      │
         │                       │  5. Proxy Requests   │
         │                       │                       │
         ▼                       ▼                       ▼
   ┌──────────┐           ┌──────────┐           ┌──────────┐
   │  SKILL   │           │ Dashboard│           │ WhatsApp│
   │  File    │           │ Auth     │           │ Business │
   └──────────┘           └──────────┘           └──────────┘

Install

Install the verified ClawLink plugin from ClawHub. After the user confirms, complete the full setup so ClawLink tools are visible in the next OpenClaw chat.

openclaw plugins install clawhub:clawlink-plugin
openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
openclaw gateway restart

Then tell the user: "OpenClaw has been restarted. Send /new as a standalone message to start a fresh chat, then ask for WhatsApp again."

Quick Start

# List phone numbers
clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_get_phone_numbers" --params '{}'

# Send a text message
clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_send_message" --params '{"phone_number": "+15551234567", "message": "Hello from OpenClaw!"}'

# List message templates
clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_get_message_templates" --params '{}'

Authentication

All WhatsApp tool calls are authenticated automatically by ClawLink using the user's connected WhatsApp Business account token.

No API token is required in chat. ClawLink stores the token securely and injects it into every WhatsApp Business API request on the user's behalf.

Getting Connected

Install the ClawLink plugin (see Install above).
Pair the plugin with clawlink_begin_pairing if it is not configured yet.
Open https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=whatsapp and connect WhatsApp.
Call clawlink_list_integrations to verify the connection is active.

Connection Management

List Connections

clawlink_list_integrations

Response: Returns all connected integrations. Look for whatsapp in the list.

Verify Connection

clawlink_list_tools --integration whatsapp

Response: Returns the live tool catalog for WhatsApp.

Reconnect

If WhatsApp tools are missing or the connection shows an error:

Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=whatsapp
After they confirm, call clawlink_list_integrations to verify
Then call clawlink_list_tools --integration whatsapp

Security & Permissions

Access is scoped to the WhatsApp Business account connected during OAuth setup.
All message send operations require explicit user confirmation. WhatsApp messages reach real users — confirm recipients and content.
Message templates must be pre-approved by WhatsApp before they can be used.
The 24-hour customer service window applies to free-form messages — outside this window, only approved templates can be sent.
Confirm recipient phone numbers before sending — messages cannot be recalled.

Tool Reference

Phone Numbers

Tool	Description	Mode
`whatsapp_get_phone_numbers`	List all phone numbers on the WhatsApp Business account	Read
`whatsapp_get_phone_number`	Get details for a specific phone number	Read

Messages

Tool	Description	Mode
`whatsapp_send_message`	Send a text message to a WhatsApp number	Write
`whatsapp_send_media`	Send an image, video, audio, or document	Write
`whatsapp_send_media_by_id`	Send media using a previously uploaded media ID	Write
`whatsapp_send_location`	Send a location message with coordinates	Write
`whatsapp_send_contacts`	Send contact card(s) to a WhatsApp user	Write
`whatsapp_send_interactive_buttons`	Send a message with up to 3 reply buttons	Write
`whatsapp_send_interactive_list`	Send a list message with up to 10 options	Write
`whatsapp_send_template_message`	Send an approved message template	Write

Media

Tool	Description	Mode
`whatsapp_upload_media`	Upload media (image, video, audio, document) to WhatsApp servers	Write
`whatsapp_get_media_info`	Get metadata and download URL for uploaded media	Read

Message Templates

Tool	Description	Mode
`whatsapp_get_message_templates`	List all message templates	Read
`whatsapp_get_template_status`	Get approval status of a specific template	Read
`whatsapp_create_message_template`	Create a new message template	Write
`whatsapp_delete_message_template`	Delete a message template	Write

Business Profile

Tool	Description	Mode
`whatsapp_get_business_profile`	Get the business profile information	Read

Code Examples

List phone numbers

clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_get_phone_numbers" \
  --params '{}'

Send a text message

clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_send_message" \
  --params '{
    "phone_number_id": "PHONE_NUMBER_ID",
    "recipient_phone": "+15551234567",
    "message": "Hi! Your order #12345 has shipped and is on its way."
  }'

Send an image

clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_send_media" \
  --params '{
    "phone_number_id": "PHONE_NUMBER_ID",
    "recipient_phone": "+15551234567",
    "media_url": "https://example.com/receipt.png",
    "caption": "Here is your receipt for order #12345"
  }'

Send interactive buttons

clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_send_interactive_buttons" \
  --params '{
    "phone_number_id": "PHONE_NUMBER_ID",
    "recipient_phone": "+15551234567",
    "header": "Order Update",
    "body": "Has your package arrived?",
    "buttons": [
      {"id": "yes", "title": "Yes"},
      {"id": "no", "title": "No"}
    ]
  }'

Send a template message

clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_send_template_message" \
  --params '{
    "phone_number_id": "PHONE_NUMBER_ID",
    "recipient_phone": "+15551234567",
    "template_name": "shipping_confirmation",
    "language_code": "en",
    "components": [
      {
        "type": "body",
        "parameters": [
          {"type": "text", "text": "John"},
          {"type": "text", "text": "#12345"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  }'

Upload media

clawlink_call_tool --tool "whatsapp_upload_media" \
  --params '{
    "phone_number_id": "PHONE_NUMBER_ID",
    "media_url": "https://example.com/image.png",
    "media_type": "image/png"
  }'

Discovery Workflow

Call clawlink_list_integrations to confirm WhatsApp is connected.
Call clawlink_list_tools --integration whatsapp to see the live catalog.
Treat the returned list as the source of truth. Do not guess or assume what tools exist.
If the user describes a capability but the exact tool is unclear, call clawlink_search_tools with a short query and integration whatsapp.
If no WhatsApp tools appear, direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=whatsapp.

Execution Workflow

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  READ OPERATIONS (Safe)                                     │
│  list → get → describe                                     │
│                                                             │
│  Example: List templates → Get template status → Report     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  WRITE OPERATIONS (Require Confirmation)                    │
│  describe → preview → confirm → call                       │
│                                                             │
│  Example: Preview message → User approves → Send message    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

For unfamiliar tools, ambiguous requests, or any write action, call clawlink_describe_tool first.
Use the returned guidance, schema, whenToUse, askBefore, safeDefaults, examples, and followups to shape the call.
Prefer read, list, and get operations before writes when that reduces ambiguity.
For writes or anything marked as requiring confirmation, call clawlink_preview_tool first.
Execute with clawlink_call_tool. Pass confirmation only after the preview matches the user's intent.
If the tool call fails, report the real error. Do not invent results or restate the failure as a missing capability unless the live catalog supports that conclusion.

Notes

You need a phone_number_id from whatsapp_get_phone_numbers to send messages.
The 24-hour customer service window: free-form messages can only be sent to users who have messaged you within the past 24 hours.
Outside the 24-hour window, you must use approved message templates.
Template deletion has a 30-day cooldown before the name can be reused.
Media downloads expire — use whatsapp_get_media_info to get a fresh download URL.
Recipient phone numbers must include country code (e.g., +1 for US).

Error Handling

Status / Error	Meaning
Tool not found	The tool name does not exist in the current catalog. Verify with `clawlink_list_tools --integration whatsapp`.
Missing connection	WhatsApp is not connected. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=whatsapp.
`131026` — Message undeliverable	The recipient's phone number is not a valid WhatsApp account.
`133010` — Phone number not on WhatsApp	The recipient has not registered on WhatsApp.
`131047` — Outside 24-hour window	Must use a template message. Send a template instead.
`Template not found`	The template name does not exist or hasn't been approved.
`Template rejected`	The template is pending review or was rejected by WhatsApp.
`Media upload failed`	The media URL is inaccessible or the format is unsupported.
Write rejected	User did not confirm a write action. Always confirm before executing writes.

Troubleshooting: Tools Not Visible

Check that the ClawLink plugin is installed:
```
openclaw plugins list
```
If the plugin is installed but tools are missing, tell the user to send /new as a standalone message to reload the catalog.

If a fresh chat does not help, run:

openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
openclaw gateway restart

After restart, tell the user to send /new again and retry.

Troubleshooting: Message Send Fails

Confirm the recipient phone number is correct and includes the country code.
Check if the 24-hour window has expired — use a template message instead.
Verify the template is approved before trying to send it.
Check the phone number ID is correct for the business account.

Resources

WhatsApp Business API Documentation
WhatsApp Business API Reference
Message Templates Guidelines
ClawLink: https://claw-link.dev/?utm_source=clawhub&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=whatsapp-messaging
ClawLink Docs: https://docs.claw-link.dev/openclaw
ClawLink Verification: https://claw-link.dev/verify

Powered by ClawLink — an integration hub for OpenClaw

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Install

WhatsApp

Setup in 3 Steps

How It Works

Install

Quick Start

Authentication

Getting Connected

Connection Management

List Connections

Verify Connection

Reconnect

Security & Permissions

Tool Reference

Phone Numbers

Messages

Media

Message Templates

Business Profile

Code Examples

List phone numbers

Send a text message

Send an image

Send interactive buttons

Send a template message

Upload media

Discovery Workflow

Execution Workflow

Notes

Error Handling

Troubleshooting: Tools Not Visible

Troubleshooting: Message Send Fails

Resources

Related skills