WhatsApp#

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: InstallStep 2: Pair AccountStep 3: Connect WhatsApp_App-specific connection GIF coming soon_Run the install command in OpenClawSign in and approve the deviceOpen the dashboard and connect WhatsApp

How It Works#

text

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐
│   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.

bash

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#

bash

# 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#

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

Connection Management#

List Connections#

bash

clawlink_list_integrations

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

Verify Connection#

bash

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:

1. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=whatsapp
2. After they confirm, call clawlink_list_integrations to verify
3. 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#

ToolDescriptionModewhatsapp_get_phone_numbersList all phone numbers on the WhatsApp Business accountReadwhatsapp_get_phone_numberGet details for a specific phone numberRead

Messages#

ToolDescriptionModewhatsapp_send_messageSend a text message to a WhatsApp numberWritewhatsapp_send_mediaSend an image, video, audio, or documentWritewhatsapp_send_media_by_idSend media using a previously uploaded media IDWritewhatsapp_send_locationSend a location message with coordinatesWritewhatsapp_send_contactsSend contact card(s) to a WhatsApp userWritewhatsapp_send_interactive_buttonsSend a message with up to 3 reply buttonsWritewhatsapp_send_interactive_listSend a list message with up to 10 optionsWritewhatsapp_send_template_messageSend an approved message templateWrite

Media#

ToolDescriptionModewhatsapp_upload_mediaUpload media (image, video, audio, document) to WhatsApp serversWritewhatsapp_get_media_infoGet metadata and download URL for uploaded mediaRead

Message Templates#

ToolDescriptionModewhatsapp_get_message_templatesList all message templatesReadwhatsapp_get_template_statusGet approval status of a specific templateReadwhatsapp_create_message_templateCreate a new message templateWritewhatsapp_delete_message_templateDelete a message templateWrite

Business Profile#

ToolDescriptionModewhatsapp_get_business_profileGet the business profile informationRead

Code Examples#

List phone numbers#

bash

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

Send a text message#

bash

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#

bash

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#

bash

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#

bash

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#

bash

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#

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

Execution Workflow#

text

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  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    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. For unfamiliar tools, ambiguous requests, or any write action, call clawlink_describe_tool first.
2. Use the returned guidance, schema, whenToUse, askBefore, safeDefaults, examples, and followups to shape the call.
3. Prefer read, list, and get operations before writes when that reduces ambiguity.
4. For writes or anything marked as requiring confirmation, call clawlink_preview_tool first.
5. Execute with clawlink_call_tool. Pass confirmation only after the preview matches the user's intent.
6. 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 / ErrorMeaningTool not foundThe tool name does not exist in the current catalog. Verify with clawlink_list_tools --integration whatsapp.Missing connectionWhatsApp is not connected. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=whatsapp.131026 — Message undeliverableThe recipient's phone number is not a valid WhatsApp account.133010 — Phone number not on WhatsAppThe recipient has not registered on WhatsApp.131047 — Outside 24-hour windowMust use a template message. Send a template instead.Template not foundThe template name does not exist or hasn't been approved.Template rejectedThe template is pending review or was rejected by WhatsApp.Media upload failedThe media URL is inaccessible or the format is unsupported.Write rejectedUser did not confirm a write action. Always confirm before executing writes.

Troubleshooting: Tools Not Visible#

1. Check that the ClawLink plugin is installed: bash

   openclaw plugins list
   
   

2. If the plugin is installed but tools are missing, tell the user to send /new as a standalone message to reload the catalog.

3. If a fresh chat does not help, run: bash

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

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

Troubleshooting: Message Send Fails#

1. Confirm the recipient phone number is correct and includes the country code.
2. Check if the 24-hour window has expired — use a template message instead.
3. Verify the template is approved before trying to send it.
4. 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

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