What is Waha

WAHA is a WhatsApp HTTP API (REST API) that allows users to configure and run it on their own server in less than 5 minutes. It supports three engines: WEBJS (browser-based), NOWEB (websocket nodejs), and GOWS (websocket go).

Use cases

Use cases for WAHA include sending automated notifications, managing customer inquiries through WhatsApp, and integrating WhatsApp messaging into existing applications for enhanced user engagement.

How to use

To use WAHA, you need to have Docker installed. After installation, you can download the WAHA image using Docker commands, run the WhatsApp HTTP API, start a new session, scan a QR code, and send your first text message.

Key features

Key features of WAHA include easy installation via Docker, multiple engine support (WEBJS, NOWEB, GOWS), and a user-friendly dashboard for managing and monitoring API interactions.

Where to use

WAHA can be used in various fields such as customer support, automated messaging services, and any application that requires integration with WhatsApp for communication.

WAHA

WAHA - WhatsApp HTTP API (REST API) that you can install on your own server and run in less than 5 minutes!

• Documentation: https://waha.devlike.pro/
• Dashboard Example: https://waha.devlike.pro/dashboard
• Swagger Example: https://waha.devlike.pro/swagger

Tables of Contents

• Quick start
  • Requirements
  • Send your first message
    • 1. Download image
    • 2. Run WhatsApp HTTP API
    • 3. Start a new session
    • 4. Get and scan QR
    • 5. Get the screenshot
    • 6. Send a text message
  • What is next?
• Development
  • Start the project

Quick start

Requirements

Only thing that you must have - installed docker. Please follow the original
instruction how to install docker ->.

When you are ready - come back and follows the below steps to send the first text message to WhatsApp via HTTP API!

Send your first message

Let’s go over steps that allow you to send your first text message via WhatsApp HTTP API!

1. Download image

Assuming you have installed Docker, let’s download the image.

docker pull devlikeapro/waha

docker login -u devlikeapro -p {KEY}
docker pull devlikeapro/waha-plus
docker logout

Read more about how to get PASSWORD for ➕ WAHA Plus

2. Run WhatsApp HTTP API

Run WhatsApp HTTP API:

docker run -it --rm -p 3000:3000/tcp --name waha devlikeapro/waha

# It prints logs and the last line must be
# WhatsApp HTTP API is running on: http://[::1]:3000

Open the link in your browser http://localhost:3000/ and you’ll see API documentation
(Swagger).

3. Start a new session

To start a new session you should have your mobile phone with installed WhatsApp application close to you.

Please go and read how what we’ll need to a bit
later:

How to log in - the instruction on WhatsApp site

When your ready - find POST /api/sessions, click on Try it out, then Execute a bit below.

The example payload:

{
  "name": "default"
}

By using the request with name values you can start multiple session (WhatsApp accounts) inside the single docker container in Plus

4. Get and scan QR

Find GET /api/screenshot and execute it, it shows you QR code.

Scan the QR with your cell phone’s WhatsApp app.

5. Get the screenshot

Execute GET /api/screenshot after a few seconds after scanning the QR - it’ll show you the screenshot of you Whatsapp
instance. If you can get the actual screenshot - then you’re ready to start sending messages!

6. Send a text message

Let’s send a text message - find POST /api/sendText in swagger and change chatId this
way: use a phone international phone number without + symbol and add @c.us at the end.

For phone number 12132132131 the chatId is [email protected].

The example payload:

{
  "chatId": "[email protected]",
  "text": "Hi there!",
  "session": "default"
}

Also, you can use curl and send POST request like this:

# Phone without +
export PHONE=12132132130
curl -d "{\"chatId\": \"${PHONE}@c.us\", \"text\": \"Hello from WhatsApp HTTP API\" }" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/sendText

What is next?

Go and read the full documentation!

Development

Start the project

1. Clone the repository
2. Make sure you’re using node>=22 (check .nvmrc to get the version)
3. Run the following commands:

# Install dependencies
yarn install
# Fetch and compile proto files
yarn gows:proto
# Run
yarn start
# open http://localhost:3000