Going live on WhatsApp
Save your bot, open the Activate & test tab, pick a provider and paste its credentials. FlowBot stores them server-side, activates the bot, and shows you the webhook URL to paste back into the provider's dashboard. From then on, messages to your number run your flow in real time.
Which provider?
| Provider | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meta WhatsApp Cloud API | Production business bots | The official API. Free test number to start; user-initiated service conversations have a free tier. |
| Twilio | Fast demos, teams already on Twilio | The sandbox gets you chatting in minutes; per-message pricing. |
| Green API | Small businesses on a regular WhatsApp account | Pairs with your existing WhatsApp via QR. Unofficial — linked-device ban risk applies. |
| Whapi.cloud | Same as Green API, alternative vendor | QR pairing, free sandbox. Same unofficial-API caveat. |
Meta WhatsApp Cloud API (official)
- At developers.facebook.com, create an app and add the WhatsApp product. Meta gives you a free test number.
- From the WhatsApp → API Setup page, copy the access token and the phone number ID.
- In FlowBot's activation panel choose Meta, paste both, and activate. FlowBot shows your callback/webhook URL and a verify token.
- Back in Meta's dashboard (WhatsApp → Configuration → Webhook), paste the callback URL and verify token, then subscribe to the "messages" field.
- Message your test number — the flow answers. To go beyond test mode, connect a real business number and complete Meta's business verification.
Replies your bot sends to customers who message first count as service conversations. Business-initiated template messages are a separate, approval-based feature that FlowBot flows don't require.
Twilio
- From the Twilio Console copy your Account SID and Auth Token, and note your WhatsApp-enabled number (the sandbox number works: join it by sending its code phrase).
- In FlowBot choose Twilio, paste SID, token and the number, and activate. FlowBot shows the webhook URL.
- In Twilio (Messaging → WhatsApp sandbox settings, or your number's configuration) set "When a message comes in" to that URL (HTTP POST).
Green API
- Create an instance at green-api.com and copy the idInstance and apiTokenInstance.
- Pair your WhatsApp by scanning the QR from the Green API console.
- In FlowBot choose Green API, paste both values, activate, and set the webhook URL FlowBot gives you in the instance settings (incoming message notifications on).
Whapi.cloud
- At panel.whapi.cloud create a channel/sandbox and pair by QR; copy the API token.
- In FlowBot choose Whapi, paste the token, activate, and set FlowBot's webhook URL in the channel's webhook settings.
After activation
- The bot list marks the flow live; edits you save take effect on the next message.
- Use Deactivate to pause the bot; the flow and credentials stay saved.
- Conversations survive server restarts — a customer mid-order continues where they left off (12-hour idle timeout).
- Message volume shows up in analytics, per channel.