The official WhatsApp Business API, for apps and AI agents
Send and receive WhatsApp messages from your product with Meta’s sanctioned business API — through Gambot, a Meta Business Solution Provider. No QR codes, no linked personal sessions.
What the WhatsApp Business API is
The WhatsApp Business API (officially the WhatsApp Business Platform) is how a company connects software to WhatsApp: your backend sends messages, and receives customer messages and delivery updates through webhooks. It is built for business use — approved message templates, customer opt-in, quality ratings and messaging limits — and runs on a verified business account.
You can reach it directly through Meta, or through a Business Solution Provider (BSP) such as Gambot, which operates the infrastructure around it so you integrate against one simple API.
Business API vs the Business app vs WhatsApp Web automation
| WhatsApp Business API | WhatsApp Business app | WhatsApp Web / QR automation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Software integrations, many agents, automation | A small business answering from one phone | Scripts that drive a personal session |
| How it connects | HTTPS API + webhooks | A phone app | A QR code scanned from a phone |
| Official channel | Yes: Meta-provided, via Meta or a BSP | Yes (the app itself) | No supported business channel |
| Templates and opt-in rules | Required and enforced | Not applicable | Not enforced, easy to violate |
| Production reliability | Designed for it | Manual | Sessions drop; accounts can be blocked |
Get access with Gambot
1. Create the account
In the browser, or let an AI agent do it through the MCP server (no API key needed).
2. Connect WhatsApp with Meta
A one-time Meta Embedded Signup in the browser links your business number. This step must be done by a person.
3. Get your token
Copy the API token from Settings → General into an environment variable, or sign in with OAuth on the hosted MCP.
4. Send the first message
Check the 24-hour window, send text or an approved template, and confirm delivery.
Send a message (REST)
Base URL https://api.gambot.co.il/api/v1. Phone numbers are digits with country code, no plus sign.
# 1) Is free text allowed right now? (24-hour customer-service window)
curl -s https://api.gambot.co.il/api/v1/conversations/12025550123/window \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $GAMBOT_TOKEN"
# 2a) Window open -> free text
curl -s -X POST https://api.gambot.co.il/api/v1/messages/send-text \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $GAMBOT_TOKEN" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"to":"12025550123","text":"Your order has shipped."}'
# 2b) Window closed -> approved template
curl -s -X POST https://api.gambot.co.il/api/v1/messages/send-template \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $GAMBOT_TOKEN" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"to":"12025550123","templateId":"order_update_0626","variables":["Dana","#1234"]}'
# 3) Did it arrive?
curl -s "https://api.gambot.co.il/api/v1/messages/<messageId>/status?phone=12025550123" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $GAMBOT_TOKEN"What you get
- Free-text messages inside the 24-hour window and approved templates anywhere.
- Webhooks for incoming messages, delivery status and template approvals — no Meta Graph subscription to manage.
- Machine-readable errors (
code,can_recover,required_tool) so agents recover instead of guessing. - An MCP server and an open Agent Skill so AI coding agents can do the integration for you.
- CRM, campaigns and bots on the same account when you outgrow single sends.
Next steps
- Connect an AI agent with the Gambot MCP server — Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Gemini CLI, VS Code and more.
- Read the REST API reference — auth, scopes, endpoints and error codes.
- Create a Gambot account and connect your WhatsApp number.
Related
- WhatsApp MCP — give an AI agent the official WhatsApp API (local npx or hosted OAuth).
- WhatsApp API for AI agents · WhatsApp API for developers
- WhatsApp Cloud API explained
- Gambot vs building on Meta’s Cloud API directly · Official API vs WhatsApp Web automation
- Gambot Agent Skill · REST API docs · GitHub · npm
Start with the official WhatsApp Business API
Create the account, connect with Meta, and send your first message today.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WhatsApp Business API?
It is the official way for companies to send and receive WhatsApp messages from software. Your system calls an HTTPS API to send messages and receives customer messages and delivery updates through webhooks, on a verified business account with approved templates.
Is Gambot the official WhatsApp Business API?
Gambot is a Meta Business Solution Provider. Messages go through Meta’s WhatsApp Business (Cloud) API, not through WhatsApp Web or a QR-code session.
How is it different from the WhatsApp Business app?
The app is used by a person on a phone. The API is for software: it supports automation, multiple agents, webhooks and templates, and is the channel to use for production integrations.
How do I get access?
Create a Gambot account, connect your WhatsApp number with Meta in the browser (Embedded Signup), then use the REST API or MCP server with your token.
Can an AI agent set it up for me?
Yes, except the Meta connection step. An agent using the Gambot MCP server can create the account, give you the Meta link, verify the connection and send the first message.