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

# WhatsApp

> Connect WhatsApp Business numbers with Meta embedded signup, and understand the 24-hour window.

Shortext uses the official WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API). You connect your numbers by logging in to Meta from Shortext: no token to copy, no webhook to configure.

## Before you start

* A Facebook account with access to your company's **Meta Business** portfolio (or the right to create one).
* A phone number that can receive an SMS or a call to verify it, and that is **not** registered in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app (or that you are ready to migrate).
* A payment method in Meta Business for the conversations Meta bills.

## Connect a number

**1. Start the connection**

Open **Communication > Channels > WhatsApp Business** and click **Connect WhatsApp Business account**.

**2. Log in to Meta**

A Shortext page opens the Meta signup window. Log in with Facebook, choose or create your business portfolio and your WhatsApp Business account, then add and verify your number.

**3. Back to Shortext**

When Meta is done, you come back to the dashboard. Your numbers are listed in the WhatsApp channels, and Shortext syncs their templates.

**4. Choose the agent**

Open the number and choose the agent that answers on it.

> [!TIP]
>
> Your clients can connect **their own** numbers to your Shortext company through the same Meta flow, from your product, with a [hosted session](https://docs.shortext.ny-corp.io/api-reference/hosted-sessions.md).

## The 24-hour window

WhatsApp protects users from unsolicited messages:

* When a contact writes to you, a **24-hour window** opens. During that window, your agent and your team can send any message: text, media, interactive.
* Outside the window, a business can only send an **approved template**. This is also how you write first to a contact.

In practice:

| Situation | What you can send |
| - | - |
| The contact wrote less than 24 hours ago | Anything |
| The contact never wrote, or wrote more than 24 hours ago | An approved template only |

When your team replies from the Inbox outside the window, Shortext sends the reply as a notification template so it still reaches the contact. Through the API, starting a conversation with free text outside the window is refused: use a template. See [Start a conversation](https://docs.shortext.ny-corp.io/api-reference/guides/start-a-conversation.md).

## Templates

Templates are created and approved per WhatsApp Business account. See [WhatsApp templates](https://docs.shortext.ny-corp.io/channels/whatsapp-templates.md).


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