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

# WhatsApp bots

> Build a bot for your WhatsApp number.

DogeBot can also run a bot on a **WhatsApp number**. This is great for a shop, a club or a small business. Your bot can answer questions, take bookings, send order updates and hand the chat to a real person when needed.

WhatsApp bots use **flows** instead of commands and events. A flow starts when something happens (like a new message) and then follows your blocks, just like the Discord builders.

## First: connect a number

If you have not connected a number yet, start with [Connect a WhatsApp number](/getting-started/connect-a-whatsapp-number).

## The pages for a WhatsApp number

Pick your number in the bot picker. The sidebar changes to show only WhatsApp pages:

| Page | What it is for |
| - | - |
| **Overview** | Is the bot answering or paused, is the connection to WhatsApp working, the last message, and how many people wrote. |
| **Flows** | All your flows, plus ready-made flows to copy. See [Your first flow](/whatsapp-bots/your-first-flow). |
| **Inbox** | Read and answer chats yourself. See [The Inbox](/whatsapp-bots/the-inbox). |
| **Apps and services** | Web addresses that start flows, plus help for Zapier, Make and Google Sheets. See [Apps and services](/whatsapp-bots/apps-and-services). |
| **Database** | Your variables, with WhatsApp ideas like customer name, orders, cart and loyalty points, and **Look up a contact**. See [Variables](/variables). |
| **Analytics** | How many runs and messages your flows had. |
| **Settings** | Your number, keys and webhook, and the **Registration** box. Keys are kept locked away and only the owner can change them. |

## The 24-hour rule (important!)

WhatsApp has a rule to stop spam:

* After a customer writes to you, you have **24 hours** to send them any message you like.
* After 24 hours, you can only send **templates**: messages that Meta approved first.

DogeBot follows this rule for you. Use the **approved template** block to reach people after the 24 hours. The **Inbox** shows how much time is left to reply and tells you when the window has closed.

## WhatsApp variables

In a flow, the **\{ } Variables** list only shows values that work on WhatsApp, like `\{wa_name\}` (the customer's name), `\{wa_from\}` (their number) and `\{wa_text\}` (what they wrote). Nothing from Discord shows up. Give names a backup like `Hi \{wa_name|there\}` in case someone has no profile name.

## Things that work the same as Discord

**Error Logs** (with WhatsApp errors in plain words), **Replays**, **Collaborators**, **If something breaks**, variables, checks, loops and web requests all work in WhatsApp flows too.

<Info>
  If WhatsApp sends the same message twice, your bot answers only once. A paused number stays quiet.
</Info>

## In this section

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Your first flow" icon="git-branch" href="/whatsapp-bots/your-first-flow">
    Build a WhatsApp flow step by step.
  </Card>

  <Card title="The Inbox" icon="inbox" href="/whatsapp-bots/the-inbox">
    Read and answer WhatsApp chats yourself.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Apps and services" icon="plug-zap" href="/whatsapp-bots/apps-and-services">
    Connect your WhatsApp bot to forms, shops, Zapier, Make and Google Sheets.
  </Card>
</Columns>


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