Whatsapp Automation

1---
2name: whatsapp-automation
3description: "Automate WhatsApp Business tasks via Rube MCP (Composio): send messages, manage templates, upload media, and handle contacts. Always search tools first for current schemas."
4requires:
5  mcp: [rube]
6---
7 
8# WhatsApp Business Automation via Rube MCP
9 
10Automate WhatsApp Business operations through Composio's WhatsApp toolkit via Rube MCP.
11 
12## Prerequisites
13 
14- Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available)
15- Active WhatsApp connection via `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `whatsapp`
16- Always call `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` first to get current tool schemas
17- WhatsApp Business API account required (not regular WhatsApp)
18 
19## Setup
20 
21**Get Rube MCP**: Add `https://rube.app/mcp` as an MCP server in your client configuration. No API keys needed — just add the endpoint and it works.
22 
23 
241. Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` responds
252. Call `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `whatsapp`
263. If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete WhatsApp Business setup
274. Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows
28 
29## Core Workflows
30 
31### 1. Send a Text Message
32 
33**When to use**: User wants to send a text message to a WhatsApp contact
34 
35**Tool sequence**:
361. `WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS` - List available business phone numbers [Prerequisite]
372. `WHATSAPP_SEND_MESSAGE` - Send a text message [Required]
38 
39**Key parameters**:
40- `to`: Recipient phone number in international format (e.g., '+14155551234')
41- `body`: Message text content
42- `phone_number_id`: Business phone number ID to send from
43 
44**Pitfalls**:
45- Phone numbers must be in international E.164 format with country code
46- Messages outside the 24-hour window require approved templates
47- The 24-hour window starts when the customer last messaged you
48- Business-initiated conversations require template messages first
49 
50### 2. Send Template Messages
51 
52**When to use**: User wants to send pre-approved template messages for outbound communication
53 
54**Tool sequence**:
551. `WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES` - List available templates [Prerequisite]
562. `WHATSAPP_GET_TEMPLATE_STATUS` - Check template approval status [Optional]
573. `WHATSAPP_SEND_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE` - Send the template message [Required]
58 
59**Key parameters**:
60- `template_name`: Name of the approved template
61- `language_code`: Template language (e.g., 'en_US')
62- `to`: Recipient phone number
63- `components`: Template variable values and parameters
64 
65**Pitfalls**:
66- Templates must be approved by Meta before use
67- Template variables must match the expected count and format
68- Sending unapproved or rejected templates returns errors
69- Language code must match an approved translation of the template
70 
71### 3. Send Media Messages
72 
73**When to use**: User wants to send images, documents, or other media
74 
75**Tool sequence**:
761. `WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA` - Upload media to WhatsApp servers [Required]
772. `WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID` - Send media using the uploaded media ID [Required]
78   OR
793. `WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA` - Send media using a public URL [Alternative]
80 
81**Key parameters**:
82- `media_url`: Public URL of the media (for SEND_MEDIA)
83- `media_id`: ID from upload response (for SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID)
84- `type`: Media type ('image', 'document', 'audio', 'video', 'sticker')
85- `caption`: Optional caption for the media
86 
87**Pitfalls**:
88- Uploaded media IDs are temporary and expire after a period
89- Media size limits vary by type (images: 5MB, videos: 16MB, documents: 100MB)
90- Supported formats: images (JPEG, PNG), videos (MP4, 3GPP), documents (PDF, etc.)
91- SEND_MEDIA requires a publicly accessible HTTPS URL
92 
93### 4. Reply to Messages
94 
95**When to use**: User wants to reply to an incoming WhatsApp message
96 
97**Tool sequence**:
981. `WHATSAPP_SEND_REPLY` - Send a reply to a specific message [Required]
99 
100**Key parameters**:
101- `message_id`: ID of the message being replied to
102- `to`: Recipient phone number
103- `body`: Reply text content
104 
105**Pitfalls**:
106- message_id must be from a message received within the 24-hour window
107- Replies appear as quoted messages in the conversation
108- The original message must still exist (not deleted) for the quote to display
109 
110### 5. Manage Business Profile and Templates
111 
112**When to use**: User wants to view or manage their WhatsApp Business profile
113 
114**Tool sequence**:
1151. `WHATSAPP_GET_BUSINESS_PROFILE` - Get business profile details [Optional]
1162. `WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS` - List registered phone numbers [Optional]
1173. `WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBER` - Get details for a specific number [Optional]
1184. `WHATSAPP_CREATE_MESSAGE_TEMPLATE` - Create a new template [Optional]
1195. `WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES` - List all templates [Optional]
120 
121**Key parameters**:
122- `phone_number_id`: Business phone number ID
123- `template_name`: Name for the new template
124- `category`: Template category (MARKETING, UTILITY, AUTHENTICATION)
125- `language`: Template language code
126 
127**Pitfalls**:
128- New templates require Meta review before they can be used
129- Template names must be lowercase with underscores (no spaces)
130- Category affects pricing and approval criteria
131- Templates have specific formatting requirements for headers, body, and buttons
132 
133### 6. Share Contacts
134 
135**When to use**: User wants to send contact information via WhatsApp
136 
137**Tool sequence**:
1381. `WHATSAPP_SEND_CONTACTS` - Send contact cards [Required]
139 
140**Key parameters**:
141- `to`: Recipient phone number
142- `contacts`: Array of contact objects with name, phone, email details
143 
144**Pitfalls**:
145- Contact objects must follow the WhatsApp Business API contact schema
146- At least a name field is required for each contact
147- Phone numbers in contacts should include country codes
148 
149## Common Patterns
150 
151### 24-Hour Messaging Window
152 
153- Customers must message you first to open a conversation window
154- Within 24 hours of their last message, you can send free-form messages
155- After 24 hours, only approved template messages can be sent
156- Template messages can re-open the conversation window
157 
158### Phone Number Resolution
159 
160```
1611. Call WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS
1622. Extract phone_number_id for your business number
1633. Use phone_number_id in all send operations
164```
165 
166### Media Upload Flow
167 
168```
1691. Call WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA with the file
1702. Extract media_id from response
1713. Call WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID with media_id
1724. OR use WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA with a public URL directly
173```
174 
175## Known Pitfalls
176 
177**Phone Number Format**:
178- Always use E.164 format: +[country code][number] (e.g., '+14155551234')
179- Do not include dashes, spaces, or parentheses
180- Country code is required; local numbers without it will fail
181 
182**Messaging Restrictions**:
183- Business-initiated messages require templates outside the 24-hour window
184- Template messages cost money per conversation
185- Rate limits apply per phone number and per account
186 
187**Media Handling**:
188- Uploaded media expires; use promptly after upload
189- Media URLs must be publicly accessible HTTPS
190- Stickers have specific requirements (WebP format, 512x512 pixels)
191 
192**Template Management**:
193- Template review can take up to 24 hours
194- Rejected templates need to be fixed and resubmitted
195- Template variables use double curly braces: {{1}}, {{2}}, etc.
196 
197## Quick Reference
198 
199| Task | Tool Slug | Key Params |
200|------|-----------|------------|
201| Send message | WHATSAPP_SEND_MESSAGE | to, body |
202| Send template | WHATSAPP_SEND_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE | template_name, to, language_code |
203| Upload media | WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA | (file params) |
204| Send media by ID | WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID | media_id, to, type |
205| Send media by URL | WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA | media_url, to, type |
206| Reply to message | WHATSAPP_SEND_REPLY | message_id, to, body |
207| Send contacts | WHATSAPP_SEND_CONTACTS | to, contacts |
208| Get media | WHATSAPP_GET_MEDIA | media_id |
209| List phone numbers | WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS | (none) |
210| Get phone number | WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBER | phone_number_id |
211| Get business profile | WHATSAPP_GET_BUSINESS_PROFILE | phone_number_id |
212| Create template | WHATSAPP_CREATE_MESSAGE_TEMPLATE | template_name, category, language |
213| List templates | WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES | (none) |
214| Check template status | WHATSAPP_GET_TEMPLATE_STATUS | template_id |
215