WhatsApp Business

Access the WhatsApp Business API with managed OAuth authentication. Send messages, manage message templates, handle media, and interact with customers through WhatsApp.

Quick Start

# Send a text message
python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
data = json.dumps({'messaging_product': 'whatsapp', 'to': '1234567890', 'type': 'text', 'text': {'body': 'Hello from WhatsApp Business!'}}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request('https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Base URL

https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/{native-api-path}

Replace {native-api-path} with the actual WhatsApp Business API endpoint path. The gateway proxies requests to graph.facebook.com and automatically injects your OAuth token.

Authentication

All requests require the Maton API key in the Authorization header:

Authorization: Bearer $MATON_API_KEY

Environment Variable: Set your API key as MATON_API_KEY:

export MATON_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"

Getting Your API Key

Sign in or create an account at maton.ai
Go to maton.ai/settings
Copy your API key

Connection Management

Manage your WhatsApp Business OAuth connections at https://ctrl.maton.ai.

List Connections

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://ctrl.maton.ai/connections?app=whatsapp-business&status=ACTIVE')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Create Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
data = json.dumps({'app': 'whatsapp-business'}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request('https://ctrl.maton.ai/connections', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Get Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://ctrl.maton.ai/connections/{connection_id}')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "connection": {
    "connection_id": "21fd90f9-5935-43cd-b6c8-bde9d915ca80",
    "status": "ACTIVE",
    "creation_time": "2025-12-08T07:20:53.488460Z",
    "last_updated_time": "2026-01-31T20:03:32.593153Z",
    "url": "https://connect.maton.ai/?session_token=...",
    "app": "whatsapp-business",
    "metadata": {}
  }
}

Open the returned url in a browser to complete OAuth authorization.

Delete Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://ctrl.maton.ai/connections/{connection_id}', method='DELETE')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Specifying Connection

If you have multiple WhatsApp Business connections, specify which one to use with the Maton-Connection header:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
data = json.dumps({'messaging_product': 'whatsapp', 'to': '1234567890', 'type': 'text', 'text': {'body': 'Hello!'}}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request('https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Maton-Connection', '21fd90f9-5935-43cd-b6c8-bde9d915ca80')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

If omitted, the gateway uses the default (oldest) active connection.

API Reference

Messages

Send Text Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "text",
  "text": {
    "preview_url": true,
    "body": "Hello! Check out https://example.com"
  }
}

Send Template Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "template",
  "template": {
    "name": "hello_world",
    "language": {
      "code": "en_US"
    },
    "components": [
      {
        "type": "body",
        "parameters": [
          {"type": "text", "text": "John"}
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Send Image Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "image",
  "image": {
    "link": "https://example.com/image.jpg",
    "caption": "Check out this image!"
  }
}

Send Document Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "document",
  "document": {
    "link": "https://example.com/document.pdf",
    "caption": "Here's the document",
    "filename": "report.pdf"
  }
}

Send Video Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "video",
  "video": {
    "link": "https://example.com/video.mp4",
    "caption": "Watch this video"
  }
}

Send Audio Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "audio",
  "audio": {
    "link": "https://example.com/audio.mp3"
  }
}

Send Location Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "location",
  "location": {
    "latitude": 37.7749,
    "longitude": -122.4194,
    "name": "San Francisco",
    "address": "San Francisco, CA, USA"
  }
}

Send Contact Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "contacts",
  "contacts": [
    {
      "name": {
        "formatted_name": "John Doe",
        "first_name": "John",
        "last_name": "Doe"
      },
      "phones": [
        {"phone": "+1234567890", "type": "MOBILE"}
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Send Interactive Button Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "interactive",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "button",
    "body": {
      "text": "Would you like to proceed?"
    },
    "action": {
      "buttons": [
        {"type": "reply", "reply": {"id": "yes", "title": "Yes"}},
        {"type": "reply", "reply": {"id": "no", "title": "No"}}
      ]
    }
  }
}

Send Interactive List Message

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "1234567890",
  "type": "interactive",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "list",
    "header": {"type": "text", "text": "Select an option"},
    "body": {"text": "Choose from the list below"},
    "action": {
      "button": "View Options",
      "sections": [
        {
          "title": "Products",
          "rows": [
            {"id": "prod1", "title": "Product 1", "description": "First product"},
            {"id": "prod2", "title": "Product 2", "description": "Second product"}
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Mark Message as Read

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/messages
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "status": "read",
  "message_id": "wamid.xxxxx"
}

Media

Upload Media

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/media
Content-Type: multipart/form-data

file=@/path/to/file.jpg
type=image/jpeg
messaging_product=whatsapp

Get Media URL

GET /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{media_id}

Delete Media

DELETE /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{media_id}

Message Templates

List Templates

GET /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{whatsapp_business_account_id}/message_templates

Query parameters:

limit - Number of templates to return
status - Filter by status: APPROVED, PENDING, REJECTED

Create Template

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{whatsapp_business_account_id}/message_templates
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "order_confirmation",
  "language": "en_US",
  "category": "UTILITY",
  "components": [
    {
      "type": "HEADER",
      "format": "TEXT",
      "text": "Order Confirmation"
    },
    {
      "type": "BODY",
      "text": "Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} has been confirmed!"
    },
    {
      "type": "FOOTER",
      "text": "Thank you for your purchase"
    }
  ]
}

Template categories: AUTHENTICATION, MARKETING, UTILITY

Delete Template

DELETE /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{whatsapp_business_account_id}/message_templates?name=template_name

Phone Numbers

Get Phone Number

GET /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}

List Phone Numbers

GET /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{whatsapp_business_account_id}/phone_numbers

Business Profile

Get Business Profile

GET /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/whatsapp_business_profile?fields=about,address,description,email,profile_picture_url,websites,vertical

Update Business Profile

POST /whatsapp-business/v21.0/{phone_number_id}/whatsapp_business_profile
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "about": "Your trusted partner",
  "address": "123 Business St",
  "description": "We provide excellent services",
  "email": "contact@example.com",
  "websites": ["https://example.com"],
  "vertical": "RETAIL"
}

Code Examples

JavaScript

const headers = {
  'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.MATON_API_KEY}`,
  'Content-Type': 'application/json'
};

// Send text message
await fetch(
  'https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages',
  {
    method: 'POST',
    headers,
    body: JSON.stringify({
      messaging_product: 'whatsapp',
      to: '1234567890',
      type: 'text',
      text: { body: 'Hello from WhatsApp!' }
    })
  }
);

// Send template message
await fetch(
  'https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages',
  {
    method: 'POST',
    headers,
    body: JSON.stringify({
      messaging_product: 'whatsapp',
      to: '1234567890',
      type: 'template',
      template: {
        name: 'hello_world',
        language: { code: 'en_US' }
      }
    })
  }
);

Python

import os
import requests

headers = {
    'Authorization': f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}',
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}

# Send text message
response = requests.post(
    'https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages',
    headers=headers,
    json={
        'messaging_product': 'whatsapp',
        'to': '1234567890',
        'type': 'text',
        'text': {'body': 'Hello from WhatsApp!'}
    }
)

# Send template message
response = requests.post(
    'https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages',
    headers=headers,
    json={
        'messaging_product': 'whatsapp',
        'to': '1234567890',
        'type': 'template',
        'template': {
            'name': 'hello_world',
            'language': {'code': 'en_US'}
        }
    }
)

Notes

Phone numbers must be in international format without + or leading zeros (e.g., 1234567890)
messaging_product must always be set to whatsapp
Template messages are required for initiating conversations (24-hour messaging window)
Media files must be publicly accessible URLs or uploaded via the Media API
Interactive messages support up to 3 buttons or 10 list items
Message IDs (wamid) are used to track message status and replies
API version v21.0 is current; check Meta docs for latest version
IMPORTANT: When using curl commands, use curl -g when URLs contain brackets (fields[], sort[], records[]) to disable glob parsing
IMPORTANT: When piping curl output to jq or other commands, environment variables like $MATON_API_KEY may not expand correctly in some shell environments. You may get "Invalid API key" errors when piping.

Error Handling

Status	Meaning
400	Missing WhatsApp Business connection or invalid request
401	Invalid or missing Maton API key
404	Phone number or resource not found
429	Rate limited (10 req/sec per account)
4xx/5xx	Passthrough error from WhatsApp Business API

Common error codes from WhatsApp:

131030 - Phone number not registered
131031 - Message failed to send
132000 - Template not found or not approved
133010 - Phone number rate limit reached

Troubleshooting: API Key Issues

Check that the MATON_API_KEY environment variable is set:

echo $MATON_API_KEY

Verify the API key is valid by listing connections:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://ctrl.maton.ai/connections')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Troubleshooting: Invalid App Name

Ensure your URL path starts with whatsapp-business. For example:
Correct: https://gateway.maton.ai/whatsapp-business/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages
Incorrect: https://gateway.maton.ai/v21.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages

Resources

WhatsApp Business API Overview
Send Messages
Message Templates
Media
Phone Numbers
Business Profiles
Webhooks
Error Codes
Maton Community
Maton Support

WhatsApp Business

AI Skill Market Insights

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