> ## 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 run a bot on a **WhatsApp number** too. This is great for a shop, a club or a small business.

Your WhatsApp bot can:

* answer questions
* take bookings
* send order updates
* hand the chat to a real person when needed

## Flows, not commands

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

> **Example**
>
> A customer writes "Hi" to your number. Your flow answers:
>
> ```text theme={null}
> Hi Sam! Thanks for your message. We will answer you soon.
> ```

## Start here

**1. Connect a number**

Connect your WhatsApp number to DogeBot. See [Connect a WhatsApp number](/whatsapp/connect-a-whatsapp-number).

**2. Make your first flow**

Pick what starts it, add blocks, and save. See [Flows and triggers](/whatsapp/flows-and-triggers).

**3. Answer chats yourself**

Use the Inbox when a real person needs to help. See [The Inbox](/whatsapp/the-inbox).

## The pages for a WhatsApp number

Pick your number in the bot picker at the top of the sidebar. 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. |
| **Inbox** | Read and answer chats yourself. |
| **Apps and services** | Web addresses that start flows, plus help for Zapier, Make and Google Sheets. |
| **Database** | Your variables, with WhatsApp ideas like customer name, orders, cart and loyalty points, and **Look up a contact**. |
| **Analytics** | How many runs and messages your flows had. |
| **Settings** | Your number, keys and webhook, and the **Registration** box. Keys are locked away safely, and only the owner can change them. |

## The 24-hour rule

> [!WARNING]
>
> 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.

## 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.

> [!NOTE]
>
> If WhatsApp sends the same message twice, your bot answers only once. A paused number stays quiet.

## In this section

> **[Connect a WhatsApp number](/whatsapp/connect-a-whatsapp-number)**
>
> Connect your number to DogeBot, step by step.

> **[Flows and triggers](/whatsapp/flows-and-triggers)**
>
> Make a flow and pick what starts it.

> **[WhatsApp blocks](/whatsapp/whatsapp-blocks)**
>
> Every block you can use in a flow.

> **[The Inbox](/whatsapp/the-inbox)**
>
> Read and answer WhatsApp chats yourself.

> **[Apps and services](/whatsapp/apps-and-services)**
>
> Forms, shops, Zapier, Make and Google Sheets.

> **[Ready-made flows](/whatsapp/ready-made-flows)**
>
> 10 flows you can copy and change.

> **[WhatsApp variables](/whatsapp/whatsapp-variables)**
>
> Values like the customer's name and number.


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