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

# WhatsApp Channel

> Connect your WhatsApp Business account to handle automated chats via a Chat Agent

## Overview

A WhatsApp Channel connects your WhatsApp Business number to a Chat Agent. When a customer messages your WhatsApp number, the linked agent receives the message and responds automatically — just like a human agent would.

WhatsApp channels use your WhatsApp Business API credentials to authorize sending and receiving messages. These credentials are stored securely in encrypted form.

**When to use a WhatsApp Channel:**

* You want to automate customer support or FAQs over WhatsApp
* You need a conversational agent available 24/7 on WhatsApp
* You want to qualify leads or handle bookings via WhatsApp messaging

***

## How to Set Up

<img style={{ borderRadius: '0.5rem' }} src="https://mintcdn.com/subverse-611dde60/Zexg3flUqmmV-dK_/images/communication-channels/add-whatsapp-channel.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Zexg3flUqmmV-dK_&q=85&s=69f431e846029e652a22b44062d2aa3c" width="1172" height="1482" data-path="images/communication-channels/add-whatsapp-channel.png" />

1. Navigate to **Channels** in the left sidebar.
2. Click **Add Channel** and select **WhatsApp**.
3. Fill in the channel details (see configuration below).
4. Select or create a **WhatsApp Credential**.
5. Under **Agent Configuration**, link a Chat Agent.
6. Click **Save**.

Once saved, messages sent to the configured WhatsApp number are routed to the linked Chat Agent.

***

## Configuration

| Field               | Type         | Required | Description                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------- | ------------ | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Name                | Text         | Yes      | A friendly name for this channel (e.g. `Support WhatsApp`).                                                                  |
| Description         | Text         | No       | Internal description for this channel.                                                                                       |
| Number              | Phone number | Yes      | The WhatsApp Business phone number that will receive messages (with country code).                                           |
| WhatsApp Credential | Dropdown     | Yes      | Select a saved WhatsApp credential to authorize this channel. Click **Create new credentials** to add one under Credentials. |
| Chat Agent          | Dropdown     | No       | The Chat Agent that will handle incoming WhatsApp messages.                                                                  |

***

## Credentials

WhatsApp channels require a **WhatsApp API credential** containing your WhatsApp Business API token and configuration. Credentials are stored encrypted and never exposed in plaintext after saving.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="WhatsApp API Credential" icon="key" href="/credentials/types/whatsapp-api">
    Create and manage WhatsApp API credentials
  </Card>

  <Card title="All Credentials" icon="shield" href="/credentials/overview">
    Overview of all credential types in Subverse
  </Card>
</CardGroup>