Templates

The library of pre-approved message templates required by the WhatsApp Business API for proactive outreach outside the customer session window. Each template defines the body, placeholders, language and category. Maintaining approved templates is what allows compliant transactional and marketing messaging at scale.

Workflow

Open Templates under Configuration.
Create a template and set its name, language and category.
Write the body with variable placeholders.
Submit it for provider approval and record the approval status.
Use the approved template in the Send Message wizard.

Fields reference

Every field on this screen, drawn from the live data model.

Field	Type	Required	Description
Name `name`	Text	Yes	Exact template name as approved by Meta. Use lowercase + underscores, no spaces.
Language `language`	Text	Yes	BCP-47 language code, e.g. en, en_US, sw.
Body Template `body_template`	Long text	Yes	Body with {{1}}, {{2}} placeholders. Mirror what was submitted to Meta.
Header Template `header_template`	Text	—	Optional header text/media token.
Components Json `components_json`	Long text	—	Raw Meta components JSON — overrides body/header/footer.
Category `category`	Choice: Utility, Marketing, Authentication	Yes	Category
Status `status`	Choice: Draft (local), Pending (Meta review), Approved, Rejected, Disabled	Yes	Status
Footer Template `footer_template`	Text	—	Footer Template
Placeholder Count `placeholder_count`	Number	—	Placeholder Count
Active `active`	Yes/No	—	Active
Notes `notes`	Long text	—	Notes

Notes & rules

Model mfi.whatsapp.template; the pre-approved message catalogue.
Holds body, placeholders, language and category (utility/marketing).
Approval status must be cleared before broadcast use.
Required for messaging members outside the 24-hour session window.

Technical model: mfi.whatsapp.template · Record: WhatsApp Template