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

# WhatsApp overview

> Send approved WhatsApp templates through your own number, with the application's live key.

An approved application can connect its WhatsApp Business Account from the dashboard and send approved template messages through the API. Tawked validates the template against the number's live template list, charges the fee, sends through Meta on your behalf, records the message, mirrors it into your Tawked Chat inbox, and tracks delivery and read. Your code never holds a Meta token.

<Note>
  One-time codes are not sent here. Authentication templates are refused with `template_category_not_allowed`; use the [Verify API](/quickstart) for codes. This surface is for utility and marketing templates: order updates, reminders, receipts.
</Note>

## Getting started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect your number">
    Dashboard, then **Applications**, your approved application, **WhatsApp**, **Connect WhatsApp**. Meta opens a window where you pick or create the business and the number. Tawked registers it and sets up the inbox. You keep full access in WhatsApp Manager and pay Meta directly for conversations.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a template">
    On the application's **Templates** page, or in WhatsApp Manager. Meta reviews it, usually within minutes; only an approved template can be sent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the application's live key">
    WhatsApp sends need a `tk_live_` key of the application the number is connected to. A `tk_test_` key is refused with `403 live_key_required`; there is no WhatsApp sandbox.
  </Step>

  <Step title="List, then send">
    [`GET /v1/whatsapp/templates`](/api-reference/whatsapp/list-templates) shows every template with the placeholders it expects. [`POST /v1/whatsapp/messages`](/api-reference/whatsapp/send-a-template-message) sends one and answers `202` with an id. Read the status back with [`GET /v1/whatsapp/messages/{id}`](/api-reference/whatsapp/get-a-message), or receive `message.*` [webhooks](/webhooks).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What the API carries today

* Body placeholders, named (`{{name}}`) or positional (`{{1}}`), never mixed.
* A text header placeholder.
* The dynamic suffix of URL buttons.

Media headers and buttons that take a non-text parameter (copy code, flow, catalog, carousel, limited-time offer) are refused with `422 unsupported_template`.

## Billing

The fee, if any, is for the send. Delivery and read cost nothing more, and a failed send refunds the fee once. Meta bills you for conversations separately, on your own WhatsApp Business Account.