Create a WhatsApp agent

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Before you start

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Create the agent

1

Choose the WhatsApp tab

Go to Assistants, select Create agent, and choose the WhatsApp tab. Under Create from scratch, pick the single-prompt WhatsApp template; its prompt already carries WhatsApp’s formatting rules.

2

Fill in the basics

Enter the Agent Name, Primary Language and optional Secondary Language, and pick a voice (the form requires one; the agent speaks with it when a customer calls the number from WhatsApp). Select Next.

3

Describe the business and goal

Fill in the Call context fields: what the business is and what the chat should achieve. Ringg writes the first version of the prompt from them. Add any Custom variables and Knowledge Base the agent needs.

4

Select the WhatsApp number

Under Select WhatsApp Number, pick the registered number this agent answers on (which numbers are listed); an empty list reads No WhatsApp numbers connected. You can leave it empty and attach one later.

5

Create

Select Create Assistant.

The agent editor opens. On the Assistants page, set Channels to WhatsApp to find it again.

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Attach a WhatsApp number

1. In the agent editor’s left menu, expand Attach Number (in the top group, below WhatsApp Templates).
2. Open WhatsApp Number and choose a number. It saves as soon as you choose. The last option, Connect WhatsApp Number, takes you to add and register one.

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What’s different in the editor

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When a chat opens and closes

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Set the session timeouts

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Set the session timeouts with the API

curl --request PATCH "https://prod-api.ringg.ai/ca/api/v0/agent/v1" \
  --header "X-API-KEY: $RINGG_API_KEY" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data '{
    "operation": "edit_chat_settings",
    "agent_id": "your-agent-id",
    "chat_settings": {
      "whatsapp_session": { "idle_timeout_minutes": 1440, "max_duration_minutes": 4320 }
    }
  }'

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End the chat

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Write a prompt for WhatsApp

• Keep replies short, one to three small paragraphs. WhatsApp folds long messages behind “Read more”.
• Use WhatsApp formatting only: *bold*, _italic_, ~strike~, and lines starting with - or 1. for lists.
• Skip Markdown headings, tables and [label](url) links. Send the bare URL; WhatsApp makes it clickable.
• Don’t mention calls, audio, holding or keypad input. The customer is typing.
• Mention every on-call tool and template with @ where it should be used, and @||end_chat|| where the chat ends.

You are Neha, a WhatsApp assistant for Acme Insurance. You help customers renew
their health policy.

- Greet the customer by name if {{name}} is available, and ask how you can help.
- Answer plan questions from the knowledge base. Keep each reply under 80 words.
- When the customer is ready to renew, send the renewal link with
  @||send_renewal_reminder|| and tell them it has been sent.
- Use *bold* for plan names and prices. Never use headings or tables.
- When the customer says they're done, thank them and end the chat with
  @||end_chat||.

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Send a template during a chat

1

Select the templates

In the editor’s left menu, expand WhatsApp Templates and select Select Template. The list shows the approved templates of the attached number’s account; tick each one the agent may send. Manage templates opens Message templates.If the section says Attach a WhatsApp number to this assistant first, attach one. Rows the agent can’t send yet are disabled with the reason: Authentication templates, location headers, text headers with more than one variable, buttons with a variable link, copy-code and Flow buttons.

2

Fill in the variables

If the template has variables or a media header, a dialog asks what fills each variable:

• Static: fixed text, sent as written.
• Variable: a custom variable such as {{name}}, filled when the chat starts.
• Dynamic: the agent fills it from the conversation, for example the plan the customer chose.

For an image, video or document header, paste a public https:// link; the same file goes out on every send.

3

Tag the template in the prompt

Type @ in the prompt and pick the template under WhatsApp Templates. Its tool name is send_ plus the template name, for example @||send_renewal_reminder||; if that name is already taken, the language code is appended.

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Test from your phone

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Common questions

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Next steps