Getting started

This page takes you from an invite request to your first message sent through the API. It takes about ten minutes.

Before you beginCopy Anchor Link

• A WhatsApp account on a phone you control. A dedicated number is strongly recommended; see Using WhatsApp.
• An email address you can read, to confirm your account.
• A terminal with curl, for the first API call.

1. Request an inviteCopy Anchor Link

WaFine is invite-only. Join the waitlist from the WaFine website with your email and, optionally, the WhatsApp number you plan to use and a short note on your use case. When your invite is approved, that number is added to the allowlist.

2. Sign up with your invited numberCopy Anchor Link

1. Open the WaFine web app and choose Sign up.
2. Enter your email, a password and the invited WhatsApp number in international format, for example +212 6XX XX XX XX.
3. Confirm your email from the link you receive, then sign in.

Sign-up is refused if the number is not on the allowlist, or if it is already used by another account.

3. Link WhatsApp by QRCopy Anchor Link

1. In the web app, open WhatsApp and create your session.
2. A QR code appears. On your phone, open WhatsApp, go to Linked devices, choose Link a device and scan the code.
3. Wait until the session shows as connected.

The linked number must be the one you signed up with. If you scan with a different number, WaFine logs that device out and the session reports a phone mismatch.

4. Create an API keyCopy Anchor Link

1. On the WhatsApp page, create an API key.
2. Copy it immediately. It is shown once; store it in a password manager.

The same page shows your session ID, the REST base URL and the MCP endpoint.

5. Send your first messageCopy Anchor Link

Replace the placeholders with your own values. The chat ID is the recipient's number in international format without + or spaces, followed by @c.us.

curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/wa/sessions/<session-id>/messages/send-text" \
  -H "X-API-Key: <your-key>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"chatId":"2126XXXXXXXX@c.us","text":"Hello from WaFine"}'

Start by messaging yourself or someone who expects your message.

Next stepsCopy Anchor Link

• API keys and sessions: read chats and manage keys.
• MCP and Claude: connect Claude to your number.
• Workflows: turn on paced auto-replies.