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Step 3: Get a message template - AWS End User Messaging

Step 3: Get a message template

WhatsApp business messaging is template-first: to open a conversation with a customer you must send a message built from a template that Meta has approved. Create a template and submit it for approval before you send. After the template is approved, you can use it to open conversations with opted-in recipients, and then exchange free-form messages within the open conversation window.

You can create and submit a template from the AWS End User Messaging Social console or with the social messaging API.

Console
To create a message template

  1. Open the AWS End User Messaging console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/end-user-messaging/.

  2. Choose Business account, and then choose a WABA.

  3. On the Message templates tab, choose Create template.

  4. Configure the template:

    • Template name: a unique name (lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only).

    • Category: Marketing, Utility, or Authentication.

    • Language: the language for the template content.

    • Body: the message text. Use {{1}}, {{2}}, and so on for variables. Add an optional header, footer, and buttons.

  5. Choose Create template, and then submit the template for review. Meta reviews most templates within a few minutes.

AWS CLI

Use the create-whatsapp-message-template command. Pass the WABA ID and a template definition that sets the name, language, category, and components. The following example creates a basic English utility template with variable placeholders in the body.

aws socialmessaging create-whatsapp-message-template --region us-east-1 \\
--id WABA_ID \\
--template-definition '{
    "name": "order_update_basic",
    "language": "en_US",
    "allow_category_change": true,
    "category": "UTILITY",
    "components": [
        {
            "type": "BODY",
            "text": "Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} has been shipped. Track your delivery below.",
            "example": { "body_text": [ [ "Jane", "12345" ] ] }
        }
    ]
}'

After the request succeeds, submit the template for review with WhatsApp. You can send with it once Meta approves it.

For the full set of template operations – creating, editing, checking approval status, and deleting templates, with more component examples – see WhatsApp Message Templates.