Feature request: Whatsapp Channel

[digitall-it]

The next big thing is the new WhatsApp Business API, just announced today:

https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api

as it is one of the biggest chat systems all over the world, and the number one in many countries, the ability to finally access an open API is something that really suits the spirit of Botpress.

Hereby, I kindly request consideration of the design of a new channel for WhatsApp.

[rnjailamba]

what is the status of this? @epaminond

[epaminond]

I don't think it's a priority currently.

[digitall-it]

I'm excited of the possibility myself. Unfortunately, the Whatsapp Business API is still available only as a limited public beta. This means that if you aren't a big actor, and you subscribe for using it, the queue is very long. We required access on launch day and are still waiting.

It is possible that in this phase, there could be delivery problems and changes to the API. The Botpress community is currently concentrating its efforts on the XX version, and the new features that are being cooked under the hood. Usually that means that the feature request queue is pushed back a little.

If you join those two news together, you'll understand that this feature could require a long time to surface, and would not be surprised if we would not hear back about it in a six to twelve months span.

[epaminond]

@digitall-it, thanks for much better explanation! :)

[rnjailamba]

@digitall-it if we use the Twilio Sandbox for WhatsApp as a basis for this feature(basically we use the endpoint that twilio provides us), then can this channel not be built? @epaminond

[digitall-it]

Sure! The current botpress/modules repository is read-only, but feel free to PR it to contribute. I would have a look here.

[epaminond]

Modules were moved to central repository (https://github.com/botpress/botpress)

[digitall-it]

Ah yes, it's now in the central repo.

[rnjailamba]

ok, will take a look. there is no ‘channel-messenger’ in the folder. do we get it from npm?

[digitall-it]

Please search for it in branch develop/x, folder "packages"

[rnjailamba]

There doesnt seem to be a branch with that name - @digitall-it

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[digitall-it]

Would remove the wontfix label that has been added by the stale bot?

[GlauberF]

How is the status of this?

[digitall-it]

I think the main problem is that it’s actually difficult to be accepted by Whatsapp to use their APIs and also it seems to be USA only during the testing phase.

[digitall-it]

@slvnperron would you readd the type/feature label?

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[A1iAshoor]

Good news people! The wait is over. I have integrated Twilio Wahtsapp API to Botpress v12 that worked perfectly fine in the sandbox.. I'm adding my final touches before PR.. stay tuned..

[robertsLando]

Any news on this?

[salvino72]

I'm interested too, is there any news?

[epaminond]

@salvino72 , @robertsLando , this is now supported via Smooch

[digitall-it]

Seems like Smooch costs much more than Twilio.

[A1iAshoor]

Instead of a PR I'm going to do a repo, will post it within few days

[A1iAshoor]

Sorry for keeping you waiting https://github.com/A1iAshoor/botpress-channel-twilio

[robertoandrade]

This Is awesome work @A1iAshoor thanks for sharing! Our more immediate needs right now is to use Twilio for SMS and soon to expand into WhatsApp. I suppose we can make this a bit more generic depending on the initial type of contact received from the Twilio API. We can fork your fork to collaborate or do it from yours if you grant us permission. What are your thoughts?

[A1iAshoor]

Hi @robertoandrade, thanks mate! 😊Happy that I'm helping in this awesome project. I've added you as a collaborator. If anyone interested, I'll add him to continue enhancing the plugin.

[robertoandrade]

we submitted a PR of a BP fork that includes the module @A1iAshoor has shared with our modifications for it to work for both SMS and WhatsApp which is closer to a final module BP can merge back since the other one was a module-only repo.

both me and @elanbibas are also stoked to be able to contribute back to this great project.

[yogendrahere]

hi, is there any plan for adding more whatsapp channels, 360dialog seems to be good one, docs here: https://docs.360dialog.com/ voyage and smooch are more enterprise focussed, 360dialog can be for who are just starting.

[estebanrvcielum]

Hello. How are they? I see that they posted earlier that they managed to integrate a chatbot with WhatsApp, I was wondering if you could help me, I am currently using V12 in Docker and I want to do the integration with my company's WhatsApp APIs. All this so that it enters the flow if you talk to that WhatsApp line or if a template is sent through an API Business, when answering a specific button it enters the flow. Thank you very much, if possible you can contact me at erestrepo@omnivida. org If you have any manual or instructions that I should follow I would appreciate it.

[zhoucrance]

Hello. Any update for whatsApp API and community botpress integration. Any help will be very much appreciated.