| name | whatsapp-automation |
| description | Automate WhatsApp Business tasks via Rube MCP (Composio): send messages, manage templates, upload media, and handle contacts. Always search tools first for current schemas. |
| risk | unknown |
| source | community |
| date_added | 2026-02-27 |
WhatsApp Business Automation via Rube MCP
Automate WhatsApp Business operations through Composio's WhatsApp toolkit via Rube MCP.
Prerequisites
- Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available)
- Active WhatsApp connection via
RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS with toolkit whatsapp
- Always call
RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS first to get current tool schemas
- WhatsApp Business API account required (not regular WhatsApp)
Setup
Get Rube MCP: Add https://rube.app/mcp as an MCP server in your client configuration. No API keys needed — just add the endpoint and it works.
- Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming
RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS responds
- Call
RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS with toolkit whatsapp
- If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete WhatsApp Business setup
- Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows
Core Workflows
1. Send a Text Message
When to use: User wants to send a text message to a WhatsApp contact
Tool sequence:
WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS - List available business phone numbers [Prerequisite]WHATSAPP_SEND_MESSAGE - Send a text message [Required]
Key parameters:
to: Recipient phone number in international format (e.g., '+14155551234')body: Message text contentphone_number_id: Business phone number ID to send from
Pitfalls:
- Phone numbers must be in international E.164 format with country code
- Messages outside the 24-hour window require approved templates
- The 24-hour window starts when the customer last messaged you
- Business-initiated conversations require template messages first
2. Send Template Messages
When to use: User wants to send pre-approved template messages for outbound communication
Tool sequence:
WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES - List available templates [Prerequisite]WHATSAPP_GET_TEMPLATE_STATUS - Check template approval status [Optional]WHATSAPP_SEND_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE - Send the template message [Required]
Key parameters:
template_name: Name of the approved templatelanguage_code: Template language (e.g., 'en_US')to: Recipient phone numbercomponents: Template variable values and parameters
Pitfalls:
- Templates must be approved by Meta before use
- Template variables must match the expected count and format
- Sending unapproved or rejected templates returns errors
- Language code must match an approved translation of the template
3. Send Media Messages
When to use: User wants to send images, documents, or other media
Tool sequence:
WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA - Upload media to WhatsApp servers [Required]WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID - Send media using the uploaded media ID [Required]
ORWHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA - Send media using a public URL [Alternative]
Key parameters:
media_url: Public URL of the media (for SEND_MEDIA)media_id: ID from upload response (for SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID)type: Media type ('image', 'document', 'audio', 'video', 'sticker')caption: Optional caption for the media
Pitfalls:
- Uploaded media IDs are temporary and expire after a period
- Media size limits vary by type (images: 5MB, videos: 16MB, documents: 100MB)
- Supported formats: images (JPEG, PNG), videos (MP4, 3GPP), documents (PDF, etc.)
- SEND_MEDIA requires a publicly accessible HTTPS URL
4. Reply to Messages
When to use: User wants to reply to an incoming WhatsApp message
Tool sequence:
WHATSAPP_SEND_REPLY - Send a reply to a specific message [Required]
Key parameters:
message_id: ID of the message being replied toto: Recipient phone numberbody: Reply text content
Pitfalls:
- message_id must be from a message received within the 24-hour window
- Replies appear as quoted messages in the conversation
- The original message must still exist (not deleted) for the quote to display
5. Manage Business Profile and Templates
When to use: User wants to view or manage their WhatsApp Business profile
Tool sequence:
WHATSAPP_GET_BUSINESS_PROFILE - Get business profile details [Optional]WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS - List registered phone numbers [Optional]WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBER - Get details for a specific number [Optional]WHATSAPP_CREATE_MESSAGE_TEMPLATE - Create a new template [Optional]WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES - List all templates [Optional]
Key parameters:
phone_number_id: Business phone number IDtemplate_name: Name for the new templatecategory: Template category (MARKETING, UTILITY, AUTHENTICATION)language: Template language code
Pitfalls:
- New templates require Meta review before they can be used
- Template names must be lowercase with underscores (no spaces)
- Category affects pricing and approval criteria
- Templates have specific formatting requirements for headers, body, and buttons
6. Share Contacts
When to use: User wants to send contact information via WhatsApp
Tool sequence:
WHATSAPP_SEND_CONTACTS - Send contact cards [Required]
Key parameters:
to: Recipient phone numbercontacts: Array of contact objects with name, phone, email details
Pitfalls:
- Contact objects must follow the WhatsApp Business API contact schema
- At least a name field is required for each contact
- Phone numbers in contacts should include country codes
Common Patterns
24-Hour Messaging Window
- Customers must message you first to open a conversation window
- Within 24 hours of their last message, you can send free-form messages
- After 24 hours, only approved template messages can be sent
- Template messages can re-open the conversation window
Phone Number Resolution
1. Call WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS
2. Extract phone_number_id for your business number
3. Use phone_number_id in all send operations
Media Upload Flow
1. Call WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA with the file
2. Extract media_id from response
3. Call WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID with media_id
4. OR use WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA with a public URL directly
Known Pitfalls
Phone Number Format:
- Always use E.164 format: +[country code][number] (e.g., '+14155551234')
- Do not include dashes, spaces, or parentheses
- Country code is required; local numbers without it will fail
Messaging Restrictions:
- Business-initiated messages require templates outside the 24-hour window
- Template messages cost money per conversation
- Rate limits apply per phone number and per account
Media Handling:
- Uploaded media expires; use promptly after upload
- Media URLs must be publicly accessible HTTPS
- Stickers have specific requirements (WebP format, 512x512 pixels)
Template Management:
- Template review can take up to 24 hours
- Rejected templates need to be fixed and resubmitted
- Template variables use double curly braces: {{1}}, {{2}}, etc.
Quick Reference
| Task | Tool Slug | Key Params |
|---|
| Send message | WHATSAPP_SEND_MESSAGE | to, body |
| Send template | WHATSAPP_SEND_TEMPLATE_MESSAGE | template_name, to, language_code |
| Upload media | WHATSAPP_UPLOAD_MEDIA | (file params) |
| Send media by ID | WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA_BY_ID | media_id, to, type |
| Send media by URL | WHATSAPP_SEND_MEDIA | media_url, to, type |
| Reply to message | WHATSAPP_SEND_REPLY | message_id, to, body |
| Send contacts | WHATSAPP_SEND_CONTACTS | to, contacts |
| Get media | WHATSAPP_GET_MEDIA | media_id |
| List phone numbers | WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBERS | (none) |
| Get phone number | WHATSAPP_GET_PHONE_NUMBER | phone_number_id |
| Get business profile | WHATSAPP_GET_BUSINESS_PROFILE | phone_number_id |
| Create template | WHATSAPP_CREATE_MESSAGE_TEMPLATE | template_name, category, language |
| List templates | WHATSAPP_GET_MESSAGE_TEMPLATES | (none) |
| Check template status | WHATSAPP_GET_TEMPLATE_STATUS | template_id |
When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for enprojectnment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
