Quickstart

By the end of this guide you will have verified authentication, a connected session, one outgoing message and the webhook return path.

Already running ViperConnect?

You only need the API URL, token and a connected session. Otherwise, choose a deployment option first.

Before you start

Variable	Example	Meaning
API_URL	https://api.yourdomain.com	Public installation URL, without a trailing slash
TOKEN	your-token	Token configured in the API
SESSION	15551234567	Session number, digits only
TO	15557654321	Test recipient, including country code

export API_URL="https://api.yourdomain.com"
export TOKEN="your-token"
export SESSION="15551234567"
export TO="15557654321"

1. Verify access

curl --fail-with-body \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  "$API_URL/sessions"

Expect HTTP 200. A 401 means the token is missing or invalid. Resolve DNS, TLS or connection errors at the edge proxy before continuing.

2. Connect the session

For a new session, open Socket.IO before registration so you do not miss the QR code or pairing-code event. See Connect a session for the complete broadcast flow. Send traffic only after the session is connected.

3. Send the first message

curl --fail-with-body --request POST \
  --url "$API_URL/v15.0/$SESSION/messages" \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data "{
    \"messaging_product\": \"whatsapp\",
    \"to\": \"$TO\",
    \"type\": \"text\",
    \"text\": { \"body\": \"Hello from ViperConnect!\" }
  }"

An accepted request returns HTTP 200 and the message identifier:

{
  "messages": [{ "id": "wamid.HBg..." }]
}

This confirms acceptance, not final delivery. Delivery updates arrive through the webhook.

4. Validate the webhook

Your configured endpoint should accept HTTPS POST, validate its configured header token, answer 2xx quickly, deduplicate message/status IDs and move slow work outside the HTTP response.

your system -> POST /messages -> ViperConnect -> recipient
your system <- status webhook <- ViperConnect <- delivery update
your system <- message webhook <- ViperConnect <- reply

See Receive webhooks for full payloads and retry guidance.

5. Choose the next guide

I want to...	Continue with
send media, buttons, lists, polls or orders	Send messages
understand sessions, identities, queues and events	How the API works
query and synchronize contacts	Identities and contacts
try another endpoint in the browser	Interactive API
diagnose a failure	Errors and troubleshooting