---
name: whatsapp-automation
description: "Automate WhatsApp Business tasks via Rube MCP (Composio): send messages, manage templates, upload media, and handle contacts. Always search tools first for current schemas."
requires:
  mcp: [rube]
category: communication
---

# WhatsApp Business Automation via Rube MCP

Automate WhatsApp Business operations through Composio's WhatsApp toolkit via Rube MCP.

**Toolkit docs**: [composio.dev/toolkits/whatsapp](https://composio.dev/toolkits/whatsapp)

## Prerequisites

- Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available)
- Active WhatsApp connection via `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `whatsapp`
- Always call `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` first to get current tool schemas
- WhatsApp Business API account required (not regular WhatsApp)

## Setup

**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.


1. Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming `RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS` responds
2. Call `RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS` with toolkit `whatsapp`
3. If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete WhatsApp Business setup
4. Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows

## Core Workflows

### 1. Send a Text Message

**When to use**: User wants to send a text message to a WhatsApp contact

**Tool sequence**:
1. `WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS` - List available business phone numbers [Prerequisite]
2. `WHATSAPP_SEND_MESSAGE` - Send a text message [Required]

**Key parameters**:
- `to`: Recipient phone number in international format (e.g., '+14155551234')
- `body`: Message text content
- `phone_number_id`: Business phone number ID to send from

**Pitfalls**:
- Phone numbers must be in international E.164 format with country code
- Messages outside the 24-hour window require approved templates
- The 24-hour window starts when the customer last messaged you
- Business-initiated conversations require template messages first

### 2. Send Template Messages

**When to use**: User wants to send pre-approved template messages for outbound communication

**Tool sequence**:
1. `WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES` - List available templates [Prerequisite]
2. `WHATSAPP_GET_TEMPLATE_STATUS` - Check template approval status [Optional]
3. `WHATSAPP_SEND_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE` - Send the template message [Required]

**Key parameters**:
- `template_name`: Name of the approved template
- `language_code`: Template language (e.g., 'en_US')
- `to`: Recipient phone number
- `components`: Template variable values and parameters

**Pitfalls**:
- Templates must be approved by Meta before use
- Template variables must match the expected count and format
- Sending unapproved or rejected templates returns errors
- Language code must match an approved translation of the template

### 3. Send Media Messages

**When to use**: User wants to send images, documents, or other media

**Tool sequence**:
1. `WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA` - Upload media to WhatsApp servers [Required]
2. `WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID` - Send media using the uploaded media ID [Required]
   OR
3. `WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA` - Send media using a public URL [Alternative]

**Key parameters**:
- `media_url`: Public URL of the media (for SEND_MEDIA)
- `media_id`: ID from upload response (for SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID)
- `type`: Media type ('image', 'document', 'audio', 'video', 'sticker')
- `caption`: Optional caption for the media

**Pitfalls**:
- Uploaded media IDs are temporary and expire after a period
- Media size limits vary by type (images: 5MB, videos: 16MB, documents: 100MB)
- Supported formats: images (JPEG, PNG), videos (MP4, 3GPP), documents (PDF, etc.)
- SEND_MEDIA requires a publicly accessible HTTPS URL

### 4. Reply to Messages

**When to use**: User wants to reply to an incoming WhatsApp message

**Tool sequence**:
1. `WHATSAPP_SEND_REPLY` - Send a reply to a specific message [Required]

**Key parameters**:
- `message_id`: ID of the message being replied to
- `to`: Recipient phone number
- `body`: Reply text content

**Pitfalls**:
- message_id must be from a message received within the 24-hour window
- Replies appear as quoted messages in the conversation
- The original message must still exist (not deleted) for the quote to display

### 5. Manage Business Profile and Templates

**When to use**: User wants to view or manage their WhatsApp Business profile

**Tool sequence**:
1. `WHATSAPP_GET_BUSINESS_PROFILE` - Get business profile details [Optional]
2. `WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS` - List registered phone numbers [Optional]
3. `WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBER` - Get details for a specific number [Optional]
4. `WHATSAPP_CREATE_MESSAGE_TEMPLATE` - Create a new template [Optional]
5. `WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES` - List all templates [Optional]

**Key parameters**:
- `phone_number_id`: Business phone number ID
- `template_name`: Name for the new template
- `category`: Template category (MARKETING, UTILITY, AUTHENTICATION)
- `language`: Template language code

**Pitfalls**:
- New templates require Meta review before they can be used
- Template names must be lowercase with underscores (no spaces)
- Category affects pricing and approval criteria
- Templates have specific formatting requirements for headers, body, and buttons

### 6. Share Contacts

**When to use**: User wants to send contact information via WhatsApp

**Tool sequence**:
1. `WHATSAPP_SEND_CONTACTS` - Send contact cards [Required]

**Key parameters**:
- `to`: Recipient phone number
- `contacts`: Array of contact objects with name, phone, email details

**Pitfalls**:
- Contact objects must follow the WhatsApp Business API contact schema
- At least a name field is required for each contact
- Phone numbers in contacts should include country codes

## Common Patterns

### 24-Hour Messaging Window

- Customers must message you first to open a conversation window
- Within 24 hours of their last message, you can send free-form messages
- After 24 hours, only approved template messages can be sent
- Template messages can re-open the conversation window

### Phone Number Resolution

```
1. Call WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS
2. Extract phone_number_id for your business number
3. Use phone_number_id in all send operations
```

### Media Upload Flow

```
1. Call WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA with the file
2. Extract media_id from response
3. Call WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID with media_id
4. OR use WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA with a public URL directly
```

## Known Pitfalls

**Phone Number Format**:
- Always use E.164 format: +[country code][number] (e.g., '+14155551234')
- Do not include dashes, spaces, or parentheses
- Country code is required; local numbers without it will fail

**Messaging Restrictions**:
- Business-initiated messages require templates outside the 24-hour window
- Template messages cost money per conversation
- Rate limits apply per phone number and per account

**Media Handling**:
- Uploaded media expires; use promptly after upload
- Media URLs must be publicly accessible HTTPS
- Stickers have specific requirements (WebP format, 512x512 pixels)

**Template Management**:
- Template review can take up to 24 hours
- Rejected templates need to be fixed and resubmitted
- Template variables use double curly braces: {{1}}, {{2}}, etc.

## Quick Reference

| Task | Tool Slug | Key Params |
|------|-----------|------------|
| Send message | WHATSAPP_SEND_MESSAGE | to, body |
| Send template | WHATSAPP_SEND_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE | template_name, to, language_code |
| Upload media | WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA | (file params) |
| Send media by ID | WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID | media_id, to, type |
| Send media by URL | WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA | media_url, to, type |
| Reply to message | WHATSAPP_SEND_REPLY | message_id, to, body |
| Send contacts | WHATSAPP_SEND_CONTACTS | to, contacts |
| Get media | WHATSAPP_GET_MEDIA | media_id |
| List phone numbers | WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS | (none) |
| Get phone number | WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBER | phone_number_id |
| Get business profile | WHATSAPP_GET_BUSINESS_PROFILE | phone_number_id |
| Create template | WHATSAPP_CREATE_MESSAGE_TEMPLATE | template_name, category, language |
| List templates | WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES | (none) |
| Check template status | WHATSAPP_GET_TEMPLATE_STATUS | template_id |

---
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