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

# WhatsApp On-call Tools

> Let an assistant send a WhatsApp template or text message while a call or chat is still live.

An on-call tool is one the assistant calls itself during a live conversation, at the point your prompt says. With WhatsApp Business connected, a voice assistant can send a brochure link while the customer is still on the call. A WhatsApp assistant can send an approved template in the middle of a chat.

Two WhatsApp tools are available on-call:

| Tool                       | Use it for                                              | Works outside the 24-hour window                                         |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Send WhatsApp Template** | Pre-approved messages: links, confirmations, documents. | Yes                                                                      |
| **Send WhatsApp Text**     | A free-form message the prompt writes.                  | No, it is only delivered within 24 hours of the customer's last message. |

<Note>
  You need a connected WhatsApp Business account with at least one **Ready** number, and for the template tool at least one **Ready** template. See [Connect WhatsApp Business](/whatsapp/onboarding).
</Note>

## Add the tool

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open On-call tools">
    In the agent editor, select **Tools** in the left menu, then the **On-call** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick WhatsApp Business">
    In the side panel select **Integration**, then **WhatsApp Business** with your account name beneath it. The picker lists the account's **Available Tools**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the sender and recipient">
    Expand **Send WhatsApp Template** (or **Send WhatsApp Text**):

    * **Send from**: a registered number on the account.
    * **Send to**: leave blank to message the customer in the conversation. To send elsewhere, set **Type** to **Variable** and pick a custom variable, or to **Static** and enter a number such as `+919876543210`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the content">
    * **Template** tool: pick a template. Its language and number of variables are shown beneath it. Then fill **Body variables**: one row per variable, set to **Variable** (a custom variable, filled when the conversation runs) or **Static** (a fixed value).
    * **Text** tool: write the **Message text**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test and import">
    **Add test value** under a variable gives it a sample for testing. **Run test** sends a real message with those values. When it looks right, select **Import**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="On-call → Integration → WhatsApp Business: choosing the sender, the template, and its body variables, then the Send WhatsApp Text tool.">
  <video autoPlay muted loop playsInline preload="metadata" poster="https://storage.googleapis.com/ringg-cdn/images/ringg-docs/whatsapp/07-on-call-tool.png" className="w-full rounded-lg">
    <source src="https://storage.googleapis.com/ringg-cdn/videos/ringg-docs/whatsapp/07-on-call-tool.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
  </video>
</Frame>

## Tell the assistant when to use it

The assistant only calls an on-call tool when its prompt says to. In the prompt editor, type `@` and choose the tool. It is inserted as `@||tool_name||`. Next to it, say in plain words when to send it and what to say afterwards:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Voice assistant">
    ```text theme={null}
    If the customer asks for the brochure, send it on WhatsApp with
    @||WhatsApp_send_template_message|| and tell them it is on its way to their WhatsApp.
    Don't read the link out loud.
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="WhatsApp assistant">
    ```text theme={null}
    When the customer confirms they want to renew, send the renewal link with
    @||WhatsApp_send_template_message||, then reply: "Done! I've sent your renewal link above."
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Filling template variables

Variables are filled from the conversation's custom variables, so declare them under **Custom Variables** in the agent. They can be passed when the call or chat starts, or set by a pre-call tool.

| Template body                      | Variable row | Type     | Value         |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------ | -------- | ------------- |
| `Hi {{1}}, your {{2}} link: {{3}}` | `{{1}}`      | Variable | `name`        |
|                                    | `{{2}}`      | Static   | `renewal`     |
|                                    | `{{3}}`      | Variable | `renewal_url` |

For a template with named variables (`{{customer_name}}`), the rows are labelled with those names instead of numbers.

## Check what was sent

Every send appears in the conversation's transcript under **Logs** as a tool call, showing the sender, recipient and template actually used and Meta's result.

| You see                                                                           | Where                     | What to do                                                                                                                    |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *Outside the 24-hour customer service window… send an approved template instead.* | The tool call in **Logs** | **Send WhatsApp Text** was used more than 24 hours after the customer's last message. Use **Send WhatsApp Template** instead. |
| *"template\_name" is no longer available. Pick another template.*                 | The tool editor           | The template was deleted or is no longer approved. Pick another and save.                                                     |
| *No registered WhatsApp numbers on this account.*                                 | The tool editor           | Register a number on the account first.                                                                                       |