WhatsApp

Use the whatsapp bridge to read and send WhatsApp messages via the wacli CLI.

When to Use

• User asks to send a WhatsApp message
• Reading WhatsApp conversation history
• Searching WhatsApp chats or messages

When NOT to Use

• Telegram messages -> reply normally (Ciana routes automatically)
• iMessage/SMS -> use the imessage bridge
• Any other messaging platform

Pre-flight: Ensure Sync is Running

Before any WhatsApp operation, check that wacli is connected and syncing:

1. Run wacli-daemon status to check if the sync daemon is running
2. If the status is "stopped", start it: wacli-daemon start
3. After starting, wait a few seconds, then verify with wacli doctor that CONNECTED is true
4. Only then proceed with the actual command

This ensures messages are always up-to-date without requiring the user to manually sync.

If wacli doctor shows AUTHENTICATED as false, tell the user they need to re-authenticate with wacli auth on the host (this requires scanning a QR code and cannot be done remotely).

Commands

All commands run via host_execute(bridge="whatsapp", command="...").

Sync Daemon Management

wacli-daemon status          # Check if sync is running
wacli-daemon start           # Start sync in background (idempotent)
wacli-daemon stop            # Stop background sync

List Chats

wacli chats list --limit 20
wacli chats list --limit 20 --query "John"

Search Messages

wacli messages search "query" --limit 20
wacli messages search "query" --limit 20 --chat <jid>
wacli messages search "query" --after 2025-01-01 --before 2025-02-01

Send Text

wacli send text --to "+14155551212" --message "Hello!"

For groups, use JID format:

wacli send text --to "[email protected]" --message "Hello group!"

Send File

wacli send file --to "+14155551212" --file /path/to/image.jpg --caption "Check this"

Auth & Diagnostics

wacli auth          # Interactive QR code authentication (host only)
wacli doctor        # Check auth/connection/store status

Contact Resolution

When the user asks to message someone by name (e.g. "send a message to Marco"), never say you don't have the number. Instead:

1. Search chats first: wacli chats list --query "Marco"
2. If found, use the JID or phone number from the result to send
3. If multiple matches, show the list and ask the user to pick
4. Only if no match is found, ask the user for the number

Safety Rules

1. Always confirm recipient and message content before sending
2. Never send to unknown numbers without explicit user approval
3. Rate limit - don't spam

Setup (on host)

• Install wacli: brew install steipete/tap/wacli
• Install daemon: ln -sf $(pwd)/scripts/wacli-daemon /opt/homebrew/bin/wacli-daemon
• Authenticate: wacli auth (scan QR code with WhatsApp on phone)
• Initial sync: wacli-daemon start
• Add whatsapp bridge in config.yaml, restart gateway