How to integrate Release0 with WhatsApp (BETA)
Learn how to integrate and test Release0 agents in WhatsApp, including limitations and preview options. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up your agent in WhatsApp, including configuration options and testing methods.
Preview
You can preview and test your bot by clicking the Preview button in the editor and changing the runtime to “WhatsApp”.
WhatsApp Preview Dropdown
- Select “WhatsApp” from the runtime options to simulate the bot’s behavior in the WhatsApp environment.
Limitations
When building your bot for WhatsApp, consider the following restrictions:
-
Unsupported Media:
- GIF and SVG image files are not supported.
- Only .mp4 videos are supported. Refer to the Supported Media Types for more details.
-
Button Limitations:
- Button content cannot exceed 20 characters. Content exceeding this limit will be truncated.
- WhatsApp displays only 3 buttons at a time. To include more buttons, the system adds ”…” messages to show additional options.
-
Skipped Blocks: Certain blocks are incompatible with WhatsApp and will be ignored:
- Payment input block
- Chatwoot block
- Text input block configured as a password field
- Script or Set Variable block with
Execute on client
option enabled - Google Analytics block
- Meta Pixel block
- Cal.com block
Contact Information
To assign contact details such as name and phone number to variables, use a Set Variable block with dedicated system values. These variables can automatically store:
- Contact name
- Phone number
Deploy on Your Phone Number
To integrate your agent with WhatsApp:
- Go to the Integrations tab of your agent’s flow editor.
- Click the WhatsApp button.
- Follow the provided instructions to complete the integration.
Configuration
Session Expiration Timeout
- Define a timeout value (from 0 to 48 hours) for the session.
- If a user remains inactive beyond this timeout, their session expires, and a new conversation starts upon their next message.
- Default: 4 hours.
Start Bot Condition
- Configure a condition to trigger the bot when a user starts a conversation.
- If the condition is unmet, the bot will not be activated.
Collect Position
You can request the user’s location with a basic Text input block. The collected position will be saved as a variable in the format:
Example Flow
Validation and Testing
Before deployment, ensure:
- All limitations are addressed (e.g., button length, media types).
- The Set Variable block is properly configured for contact details.
- The bot operates seamlessly in WhatsApp’s runtime environment.
Note: Always test your bot thoroughly in the WhatsApp Preview mode to verify compatibility and performance.
FAQ
How many WhatsApp numbers can I use?
How many WhatsApp numbers can I use?
You can integrate as many numbers as you’d like. Keep in mind that Release0 does not provide those numbers. We work as a “Bring your own Meta application” and we give you clear instructions on how to set up your Meta app.
Can I link multiple Agents to the same WhatsApp number?
Can I link multiple Agents to the same WhatsApp number?
Yes, you can. You will have to add a “Start bot condition” to each of your bots to make sure that the right bot is triggered when a user starts a conversation.
Does the integration with WhatsApp requires any paid API?
Does the integration with WhatsApp requires any paid API?
You integrate your agents with your own WhatsApp Business Platform which is the official service from Meta. At the moment, the first 1,000 Service conversations each month are free. For more information, refer to their documentation
I receive the preview initial message but then the bot doesn't respond
I receive the preview initial message but then the bot doesn't respond
This can be due to a mismatch between the WhatsApp number displayed in your WhatsApp application profile settings and the number you have typed in your Agent configuration.
For example, in Argentina they have 2 numbers, 1 with 8 digits, the other with 9 digits. In Release0, you need to type the number that is displayed in your WhatsApp application profile settings to make sure the bot works properly.