Creating WhatsApp Streams

This article will walk you through creating a WhatsApp SMS stream step by step

The Streams API in the CommPeak multi-channel messaging platform provides WhatsApp routes for interacting with the WhatsApp platform.

Creating WhatsApp streams is a Beta feature that is not available to all users by default. If you are interested in trying it, you first need to request access.

Requesting WhatsApp Business Streams Access

To submit your WhatsApp Business Streams access request:

  1. Log in to TextPeak in your browser.
  2. Select Streams API in the main TextPeak menu on the left.
  3. Click Create stream API on the page that opens.
Screenshot of the Create Stream API button

Create Stream API button

  1. For the WhatsApp beta option, click Request Access.
  2. A TextPeak support agent will review your request and follow up with you shortly.
Screenshot of the window with Access request sent notification

Access request sent notification

Getting Started with WhatsApp Streams

Once authorized to access the feature, you can start creating and managing WhatsApp SMS streams.

  1. To start, select Streams API in the main menu on the left and click Create stream API on the page that opens.
  2. In the pop-up window, click to unfold the WhatsApp option and select it.
Screenshot with selecting WhatsApp stream

Selecting WhatsApp stream

  1. The Create New Stream wizard will load. Fill in the necessary information to complete each step.

Create New Stream Wizard

Step 1: Stream API Details

Start with entering stream details.

  • Stream API name - enter a meaningful name to locate the stream quickly.

  • Stream API description - provide more information that will be visible when you open the stream.

  • Enable IP ACL - optionally, select the checkbox to limit access to the stream. Then, in the Add IP field, add one or more IP addresses from which you will make API calls. To add an IP, enter it and click Add.

  • Tags - create tags and apply them immediately to categorize your streams and quickly find the ones you need (optional). To add a tag, enter it in the field and then select from the drop-down list.

    Screenshot of the Create New Stream page

    Create New Stream page

You can also enable the Demo Sending option to create a demo channel that simulates messaging flows without sending real messages. This option is available for any stream type and can be useful for testing and development use cases.

Screenshot of enablinbg Demo sending option

Enabling the Demo Sending option

Click Save & Next to proceed to the next step.

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NOTE

You can save the stream as a draft on each step and then complete the rest at any time later.

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NOTE

Check the Creating Demo Channels section to learn more.

Step 2: WhatsApp Settings

Provide your WhatsApp Business ID and permanent authentication token and click Save & Next to proceed to the next step.

Screenshot of the WhatsApp settings section

WhatsApp settings section

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NOTE

Refer to this article to learn how to generate the token and where to get the ID.

Step 3: Incoming Messages Webhook (optional)

Create a Webhook right away to receive incoming messages through the API.

  • URL - select the GET or POST method and enter the URL to which you want to send data.
  • HTTP Headers - optionally, provide the key name and value.

The requests' preview is available on the right. You can copy the request body while creating the webhook or reviewing the stream summary.

Screenshot of the Incoming Message Webhook section

Incoming Message Webhook section

You can go ahead and skip this step for now. Otherwise, click Save & Next to proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Stream Summary

You can review the stream details here.

Check your existing senders and templates created in WhatsApp Business in WhatsApp Settings: TextPeak will use them to send messages through this stream API.

Screenshot of the WhatsApp settings section

Reviewing WhatsApp settings section

After you click Create Stream, a pop-up window appears. You can copy your authorization token here.​

Screenshot with a pop-up providing a stream authorization token

The stream was created successfully window

Finally, click Done.

The new stream will appear at the top of your Streams API table and you can review its details by selecting it in the table or click to select the Action options to modify the stream details or delete it, if needed.

**Streams API** tab: **Action** options

Streams API tab: Action options

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NOTE

The streams APIs with the status Draft have fewer options:

Screenshot of the Streams API tab: Action options for drafted streams

Streams API tab: Action options for drafted stream APIs