Template Builder

Template Builder

WhatsApp message templates are pre-written messages that Meta must approve before you can send them. You need them to start a conversation, or to message someone outside the 24-hour reply window (for example, broadcasts and automated first-contact messages).

Open Template Builder from the sidebar.

Create a template

1. Start a new template and give it a name (lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only).
2. Choose a category:
   • Marketing — promotions, offers, announcements
   • Utility — order updates, alerts, confirmations
   • Authentication — one-time passcodes
3. Choose a language.
4. Fill in the components (below).
5. Submit it to Meta for review.

Components (at launch)

• Header (optional) — choose None, Text, Image, Video, or Document. A text header is short (up to ~60 characters) and may contain a single variable.
• Body — the main message. Insert variables as {{1}}, {{2}}, … and provide a sample value for each so Meta can review it.
• Footer (optional) — a short line of text (up to ~60 characters, no variables).

A live phone preview shows how the template will look as you edit.

The builder also supports buttons and richer options; this guide covers the core components. More template features will be documented in later releases.

Approval status

After you submit, Meta reviews the template. Its status is shown as a badge and synced automatically:

• Draft — saved locally, not yet submitted
• Pending review — submitted to Meta, awaiting a decision
• Approved — ready to use
• Rejected — not accepted (revise and resubmit)
• Paused / Disabled — restricted by Meta, usually due to message quality

Approval is decided entirely by Meta and can take anywhere from minutes to a day. Brand-new WhatsApp Business accounts may see longer review times.

Use an approved template

Once a template is Approved, select it when composing a broadcast or an automated reply, fill in any variable values, and send.

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See also: Using the Dashboard • Basic Automation • FAQ