Self-hosted
WhatsApp API
for developers.

open-wa is a self-hosted WhatsApp API and Node.js library for developers. Send messages, receive events, and connect WhatsApp to your app on your own server.

You’ll need Node.js 22.21.1 or newer and a phone with WhatsApp.

  1. 1 Start open-wa
  2. 2 Link WhatsApp
  3. 3 Send a message

Start the Easy API, open-wa’s HTTP server, in your terminal:

npx @open-wa/wa-automate@5.6.5 --host 127.0.0.1 --port 8080
Send your first message Explore the API

Once it’s running, open your local dashboard. The quick start walks you through linking WhatsApp and sending a message.

After linking your account and checking it is ready, call sendText from a second terminal.

Replace 447123456789@c.us with a known recipient’s international number followed by @c.us, without a + sign or spaces. Change the message to your own text.

curl -X POST http://localhost:8080/api/messages/sendText \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "to": "447123456789@c.us",
    "content": "Your order is ready to collect!",
    "options": {}
  }'
Message illustration

Your order is ready to collect!

Follow the setup guide before sending your first message.Send your first message

Choose how open-wa fits your application

Run a local API

Start the Easy API as a separate process, link WhatsApp, and send requests from any language.

npx @open-wa/wa-automate@5.6.5 --host 127.0.0.1 --port 8080
Follow the quick start

Embed it in Node.js

Create a WhatsApp session inside your Node.js or TypeScript app and handle events in your own process.

import { createClient } from '@open-wa/wa-automate'
Use the Node.js library

Connect an existing API

Use SocketClient when your application talks to an Easy API session already running on another host.

import { SocketClient } from '@open-wa/socket-client'
Connect with SocketClient

Build on your first message

All documentation

Choose a license for the features you need

Check which features need Restricted or Insiders access, including their account requirements and current limitations, before you buy.

Compare licensed features

Questions about the WhatsApp API

Pricing and licensing

What is open-wa?

open-wa is a self-hosted WhatsApp API and Node.js library for developers. Send messages, receive events, and connect WhatsApp to your app on your own server.

How open-wa works

Who is open-wa best for?

Developers who want to connect an existing WhatsApp account to their own applications, support tools, or automation workflows through HTTP or Node.js.

Explore integrations

How do I send WhatsApp messages from Node.js?

Install @open-wa/wa-automate, create a connected client, link your WhatsApp account, and call client.sendText with the recipient and message. The Node.js guide walks through each step.

Send a message with Node.js

Can I use open-wa from Python, PHP, or another language?

Yes. Start the Easy API on a machine with Node.js, link WhatsApp, and call its HTTP endpoints from your application. Your application can use any language that makes HTTP requests.

Start the WhatsApp HTTP API

Is open-wa free to use?

Ungated methods do not need a paid license key. Some features require a Restricted or Insiders license, and sending to a number that is not already a contact has an additional license requirement. Review the current tiers and checkout prices for the features you need.

See pricing and licensed features

Is open-wa the official WhatsApp Business API?

No. open-wa is an unofficial project with no affiliation to WhatsApp or Meta. It connects through WhatsApp Web, and using automation can lead to account restrictions or bans.

Read the operating guidance