twilio-whatsapp-manage-senders

name	twilio-whatsapp-manage-senders
description	Create, configure, and manage WhatsApp Business senders via Twilio's Channels Senders API. Covers programmatic sender registration, profile setup, webhook configuration, sender lifecycle statuses, and ISV flows. Use this skill to register and manage production WhatsApp senders at scale.

Overview

A WhatsApp sender is a phone number registered with WhatsApp Business through Twilio. Registration goes through a lifecycle of statuses before becoming ONLINE. Sandbox testing does not require a registered sender — see twilio-whatsapp-send-message.

---

Prerequisites

• Upgraded Twilio account (trial accounts cannot register production senders) — See twilio-account-setup for signup and upgrade steps
• A phone number capable of receiving SMS or voice verification
• Number must not already be registered with WhatsApp
• Environment variables:
  • TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID
  • TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN — See twilio-iam-auth-setup for credential setup and best practices
• SDK: pip install twilio / npm install twilio

---

Quickstart

Python

import os
from twilio.rest import Client

client = Client(os.environ["TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID"], os.environ["TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN"])

# Step 1: Initiate registration
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create(
    sender_id="whatsapp:[phone]",
    verification_method="sms"
)
print(sender.sid)     # XExxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
print(sender.status)  # CREATING

# Step 2: Submit the OTP Twilio sends to the number
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update(
    verification_code="123456"
)
print(sender.status)  # ONLINE (may pass through TWILIO_REVIEW first)

Node.js

const twilio = require("twilio");
const client = twilio(process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);

// Step 1: Initiate registration
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create({
    senderId: "whatsapp:[phone]",
    verificationMethod: "sms",
});
console.log(sender.sid, sender.status);

// Step 2: Submit the OTP
const verified = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update({
    verificationCode: "123456",
});
console.log(verified.status);

---

Sender Lifecycle Statuses

Status	Meaning
CREATING	Registration initiated
PENDING_VERIFICATION	Awaiting OTP submission
VERIFYING	OTP being validated
TWILIO_REVIEW	Under Twilio/Meta review
ONLINE	Active and ready to send
OFFLINE	Inactive — check offlineReasons
DRAFT	Incomplete registration

---

Key Patterns

Set Business Profile

Python

sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update(
    profile_name="Acme Support",
    profile_about="Official support channel for Acme Corp",
    profile_address="123 Main St, San Francisco, CA",
    profile_vertical="PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES",
    profile_logo_url="https://acme.com/logo.png",
    profile_websites=["https://acme.com"]
)

Node.js

const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update({
    profileName: "Acme Support",
    profileAbout: "Official support channel for Acme Corp",
    profileAddress: "123 Main St, San Francisco, CA",
    profileVertical: "PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES",
    profileLogoUrl: "https://acme.com/logo.png",
    profileWebsites: ["https://acme.com"],
});

Configure Webhooks

Python

sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update(
    callback_url="https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/inbound",
    callback_method="POST",
    status_callback_url="https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/status"
)

Node.js

await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update({
    callbackUrl: "https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/inbound",
    callbackMethod: "POST",
    statusCallbackUrl: "https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/status",
});

Retrieve and List Senders

Python

sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).fetch()
print(sender.status)

for s in client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.list():
    print(s.sid, s.status)

Node.js

const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).fetch();
const senders = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.list();
senders.forEach(s => console.log(s.sid, s.status));

If a sender is OFFLINE, check the offlineReasons array in the response (e.g. code 63020 means business hasn't accepted Twilio's Meta invitation).

Migrate an Existing WhatsApp Number

If a number is already registered on WhatsApp (personal or business):

1. Check: https://wa.me/<PHONE_NUMBER>?text=hi
2. Delete the existing WhatsApp account on the device, or disable 2FA on the competing platform
3. Proceed with registration above

ISV / Tech Provider Flow

Register senders under a client's WhatsApp Business Account (WABA):

Python

sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create(
    sender_id="whatsapp:[phone]",
    waba_id="client-waba-id"
)

Node.js

const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create({
    senderId: "whatsapp:[phone]",
    wabaId: "client-waba-id",
});

The client must accept Twilio's invitation in their Meta Business Manager.

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CANNOT

• Cannot register a phone number to multiple WABAs — Each number belongs to one WABA at a time
• Cannot exceed 2 senders without Meta Business Verification — Unverified accounts are limited to 2
• Cannot exceed 20 senders without exception — Verified Meta Business Manager: max 20 (50 with exception request)
• Cannot verify phone number only via SMS — Voice verification is available if SMS cannot be received

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Next Steps

• Send WhatsApp messages with this sender: twilio-whatsapp-send-message
• Create message templates: twilio-content-template-builder
• Send WhatsApp OTPs: twilio-verify-send-otp