API Tutorial
How to send WhatsApp messages via API
To send WhatsApp messages via API, connect WhatsApp through Modiva, then call `messages_send` with the recipient and text — read the conversation with `messages_list` to power inboxes and AI auto-replies.
Programmatic messaging on WhatsApp normally means navigating per-platform messaging APIs and approval. Modiva abstracts that into `messages_send`, `messages_list` and `messages_inbox`, so a unified inbox or AI responder works the same on WhatsApp as everywhere else.
Step by step
Create a Modiva account and MCP key
Sign up free and generate an MCP key (`mk_live_…`) from the dashboard. The same key authenticates both the hosted MCP server (for AI agents) and the REST API (for your backend), so you only manage one credential.
Connect your WhatsApp account
From the dashboard, click Connect and choose WhatsApp. Modiva runs the OAuth flow and requests the right scopes for you, then stores the access + refresh tokens in an encrypted vault and keeps them fresh — you never handle WhatsApp's raw API credentials. The connection gets a stable `connectionId` you reference in every call.
Send a message with messages_send
Call `messages_send` with the connection ID, a `recipient_id` and your text. Modiva delivers it through WhatsApp and returns the message ID, respecting WhatsApp's messaging windows and rules.
Build an inbox or AI responder
Use `messages_inbox` and `messages_list` to pull conversations into one view. Over MCP, an agent can read an incoming WhatsApp message, decide on a response and reply with `messages_send` — a full AI support loop.
Example request
Call the messages_send tool through Modiva’s REST API. The same tool is available to AI agents over the MCP server at https://mcp.modiva.ai/v1.
curl -X POST https://api.modiva.ai/v1/tools/invoke \
-H "Authorization: Bearer mk_live_…" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"tool": "messages_send",
"connectionId": "conn_…",
"args": { "recipient_id": "u_456", "text": "Hi! How can we help today?" }
}'Try it with WhatsApp
Start freeFAQ
Can I build a unified inbox that includes WhatsApp?
Yes. `messages_inbox` returns conversations from WhatsApp in the same shape as every other channel, so one inbox UI covers them all.
Does Modiva respect WhatsApp's messaging rules?
Yes — Modiva enforces WhatsApp's messaging windows and policy constraints so your sends stay compliant.