Create & Build Any WhatsApp Bot Free Template

This WhatsApp bot creation template provides a starting point for building a free WhatsApp bot using Twilio's API. The bot will send a welcome message to users who interact with it via WhatsApp. This template provides a Flask web application that handles incoming messages and sends automated responses. It is an ideal starting point for less experienced developers who want to learn how to build Whatsapp bots. It simplifies the process by offering a step-by-step guide on setting up Twilio credentials, configuring a WhatsApp Sandbox, and deploying a basic bot that can send automated messages. With clear instructions, even beginners can understand the core concepts of bot development, including how to handle incoming requests and automate responses, allowing them to gradually gain proficiency in building bots. Lazy AI provides free access to its WhatsApp bot templates to lower the barrier for entry, enabling developers of all experience levels to experiment with automation tools. By offering these templates on a free plan, Lazy AI encourages developers to learn and explore bot creation without upfront costs, fostering a community of innovation. The goal is to streamline app development by replacing manual coding with simple prompts, making it accessible to a broader audience and encouraging more widespread use of automation.

Introduction to the WhatsApp Bot Creation Template

This template provides a starting point for creating a WhatsApp bot using Twilio's API. The bot will send a welcome message to users who interact with it via WhatsApp. The template includes a Flask web application, which handles incoming requests and sends messages using Twilio.

Clicking Start with this Template

To get started with the WhatsApp Bot template, click the "Start with this Template" button.

Initial Setup

This template requires setting up environment secrets for Twilio credentials. Follow these steps to obtain and set the required environment secrets:

1. **Set up Twilio Account** - If you haven't already, sign up for a Twilio account at https://www.twilio.com.

2. **Get Twilio Credentials** - Navigate to the Twilio Console to find your Account SID and Auth Token.

3. **Set Environment Variables** - In the Lazy Builder, go to the Environment Secrets tab. - Add the following environment secrets: - `TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID`: Your Twilio Account SID. - `TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN`: Your Twilio Auth Token.

Test

Press the "Test" button to deploy the app. The Lazy CLI will handle the deployment process.

Using the App

Once the app is deployed, navigate to the provided server link to access the setup guide. The guide will help you ensure that your Twilio credentials are correctly set.

Integrating the App

To integrate the WhatsApp bot with Twilio, follow these steps:

1. **Configure Twilio WhatsApp Sandbox** - In the Twilio Console, navigate to the WhatsApp Sandbox and set up your sandbox number.

2. **Set Webhook URL** - In the Twilio WhatsApp Sandbox settings, set the "When a message comes in" webhook URL to: https://your-app-url.com/wa - Replace "your-app-url.com" with the actual URL of your deployed app.

3. **Test Your Bot** - Send a message to your Twilio WhatsApp Sandbox number. You should receive a welcome message in response.

Sample Code

Here is the sample code provided in the template:

`main.py:
import os
from flask import Flask, render_template, request
from twilio.rest import Client
from gunicorn.app.base import BaseApplication

app = Flask(name)

@app.route("/", methods=['GET'])
def home():
    twilio_account_sid = os.environ.get('TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID', 'Not Set')
    twilio_auth_token = os.environ.get('TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN', 'Not Set')

    return render_template('index.html', 
                           twilio_account_sid=twilio_account_sid if twilio_account_sid != 'Not Set' else None, 
                           twilio_auth_token=twilio_auth_token if twilio_auth_token != 'Not Set' else None)

@app.route("/wa", methods=['POST'])
def wa_hello():
    account_sid = os.environ.get('TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID')
    auth_token = os.environ.get('TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN')

    if not account_sid or not auth_token:
        return "Twilio credentials are not set. Please set them in the Env Secrets tab.", 200

    client = Client(account_sid, auth_token)

    from_number = request.form.get("From")
    to_number = request.form.get("To")

    # Send welcome message
    try:
        client.messages.create(
            body="Welcome to our WhatsApp Bot!",
            from_=to_number,
            to=from_number
        )
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error sending message: {str(e)}")

    return "", 200

class StandaloneApplication(BaseApplication):
    def init(self, app, options=None):
        self.application = app
        self.options = options or {}
        super().init()

def load_config(self):
        config = {
            key: value
            for key, value in self.options.items()
            if key in self.cfg.settings and value is not None
        }
        for key, value in config.items():
            self.cfg.set(key.lower(), value)

def load(self):
        return self.application

if name == "main":
    options = {"bind": "%s:%s" % ("0.0.0.0", "8080"), "workers": 4, "loglevel": "info", "accesslog": "-", "timeout": 600}
    StandaloneApplication(app, options).run()

index.html:

    
    
    
    

    

WhatsApp Bot Setup Guide

                  

Step 1: Set up Twilio Account

        

If you haven't already, sign up for a Twilio account at https://www.twilio.com.