WhatsApp AI Agent: How OpenClaw Powers Automated Business Messaging
Send, receive, and auto-reply on WhatsApp using AI - no Business API, no per-message fees, no developer setup.
Key Takeaways
- OpenClaw connects to WhatsApp using Baileys, an open-source WhatsApp Web library, so you get full messaging without Meta's Business API approval or per-conversation charges.
- AI auto-reply lets Dew respond to customer messages with confidence-filtered, context-aware replies - even when you are away.
- Broadcast messaging sends personalized messages to multiple contacts without WhatsApp's broadcast list limitations.
- Contact resolution automatically matches WhatsApp numbers to your CRM contacts, so every conversation has full context.
- Per-user VPS architecture means your WhatsApp session runs on a dedicated server - no shared infrastructure, no data leaks.
- Zero per-message fees. Unlike Twilio or the WhatsApp Business API, OpenClaw charges a flat rate for your VPS instance, regardless of message volume.
The Problem with WhatsApp Business API
WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the world, with over 2 billion users. For small and mid-sized businesses, it is often the primary channel for customer communication - especially in markets across Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
But if you want to automate WhatsApp messaging, the official path is through the WhatsApp Business API, and it comes with significant friction:
- Approval process. You need to apply through a Business Solution Provider (BSP) and wait for Meta's approval. This can take days to weeks.
- Per-conversation pricing. Meta charges between $0.005 and $0.08 per conversation depending on the category and country. For businesses sending hundreds or thousands of messages, this adds up fast.
- Template message restrictions. You cannot send free-form messages to customers who have not messaged you first within 24 hours. Every outbound message must use a pre-approved template.
- Developer setup. Integrating the API requires webhook configuration, token management, and message formatting. It is not something a non-technical business owner can set up alone.
OpenClaw takes a completely different approach.
How OpenClaw Connects to WhatsApp
OpenClaw uses Baileys, a well-established open-source library that connects to WhatsApp the same way WhatsApp Web does - through a QR code scan. Here is how it works:
- Scan a QR code. When you connect WhatsApp in Dewx, OpenClaw generates a QR code. You scan it with your phone, just like connecting WhatsApp Web on a new browser.
- Session persists on your VPS. Once connected, the session is stored on your dedicated Hetzner VPS. You do not need to keep scanning - the connection stays active until you manually disconnect.
- Full messaging access. You can send and receive text messages, images, documents, voice notes, and location pins. There are no template restrictions, no approval process, and no per-message fees.
- Real-time sync. Incoming messages are captured in real-time and routed to Dew and the Portal unified inbox for centralized management.
Why Baileys Instead of the Official API?
| Feature | WhatsApp Business API | OpenClaw (Baileys) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Apply through BSP, wait for approval | Scan QR code, ready in 30 seconds |
| Pricing | $0.005–$0.08 per conversation | Flat $4/month VPS (unlimited messages) |
| Template restrictions | Required for outbound after 24h | None - send any message anytime |
| Developer required | Yes (webhooks, tokens, formatting) | No - just talk to Dew |
| Data ownership | Hosted on Meta's infrastructure | Your own VPS instance |
AI Auto-Reply: Let Dew Handle the Conversation
One of the most powerful features of OpenClaw's WhatsApp integration is AI auto-reply. When enabled, Dew will automatically respond to incoming WhatsApp messages using your business context and knowledge base.
How It Works
- A message arrives on your WhatsApp from a customer or contact.
- OpenClaw captures it and sends it to Dew for analysis.
- Dew evaluates the message against your knowledge base, previous conversations, and configured prompts.
- Confidence check. If Dew's confidence in the response exceeds your configured threshold (e.g., 80%), it sends the reply automatically. If not, it flags the message for your manual review.
- The customer receives a natural, context-aware response - often within seconds.
Configuration Options
- Confidence threshold: Set the minimum confidence level for auto-replies (0–100%). Higher thresholds mean fewer automatic responses but higher quality.
- Business hours: Configure when auto-reply is active. Outside business hours, Dew can send a custom away message instead.
- Custom prompts: Define how Dew should respond - formal or casual, detailed or concise, focused on sales or support.
- Contact exclusion list: Exclude specific contacts or groups from auto-reply. Your VIP clients still get personal attention.
Broadcast Messaging Without Limits
WhatsApp's native broadcast feature has a significant limitation: recipients must have your number saved in their contacts for the broadcast to reach them. OpenClaw removes this restriction.
With OpenClaw, you can:
- Send personalized messages to multiple contacts without requiring them to save your number.
- Use Dew commands like "Send the meeting update to all contacts tagged 'client'" to trigger broadcasts.
- Include rich media - images, PDFs, voice notes, and location pins - in broadcast messages.
- Track delivery and read receipts for each message in the broadcast.
Contact Resolution and CRM Sync
Every WhatsApp conversation in OpenClaw is automatically linked to your CRM. Here is how contact resolution works:
- Number matching. When a message arrives, OpenClaw checks the phone number against your Dewx CRM contacts.
- Name resolution. OpenClaw pulls the actual contact name from the WhatsApp profile and message metadata - no more "WhatsApp Contact" placeholders.
- Auto-create contacts. If the number is not in your CRM, Dewx can automatically create a new contact record with the name and phone number.
- Conversation history. All messages are stored in the Portal unified inbox, linked to the CRM contact record, giving you full conversation history alongside deal information, tasks, and notes.
Security and Data Isolation
Your WhatsApp session runs on your dedicated Hetzner VPS instance. This means:
- No shared sessions. Your WhatsApp connection is never shared with other users.
- No data leaks. Messages, media, and contact information are stored only on your VPS.
- Full control. You can disconnect your WhatsApp session, delete stored data, or shut down your VPS instance at any time.
- No third-party access. Unlike BSP-based integrations where your messages pass through a provider's infrastructure, OpenClaw keeps everything on your own server.
Real-World Use Cases
1. Service Business Follow-Ups
A landscaping company uses Dew to send follow-up messages after each job: "Hey [name], just wanted to check that everything looks great with the lawn. Let us know if you need anything!" These messages are triggered automatically 24 hours after a job is marked complete in the CRM.
2. E-Commerce Order Updates
An online store uses OpenClaw to send shipping notifications, delivery confirmations, and review requests via WhatsApp. Customers respond directly, and Dew handles common questions ("Where is my order?") automatically with AI auto-reply.
3. Appointment Reminders
A dental clinic sends WhatsApp reminders 24 hours before appointments. If a patient responds to reschedule, Dew checks the calendar and offers available slots - all without staff involvement.
4. Lead Qualification
A real estate agent receives WhatsApp inquiries about listings. Dew auto-replies with property details, pricing, and availability. If the lead is qualified (based on configured criteria), Dew schedules a viewing and creates a deal in the CRM.
Getting Started
Setting up WhatsApp messaging through OpenClaw takes less than a minute:
- Open Dewx and navigate to your channel connections.
- Click "Connect WhatsApp" - OpenClaw generates a QR code.
- Scan the QR code with your phone's WhatsApp app.
- Done. You can now send and receive WhatsApp messages through Dew.
To enable AI auto-reply, simply tell Dew: "Enable auto-reply on WhatsApp with 80% confidence." You can adjust settings anytime with natural language commands.
FAQ
Q: Will using OpenClaw get my WhatsApp account banned? A: OpenClaw uses the same connection method as WhatsApp Web, which is an official feature. However, sending spam or bulk unsolicited messages violates WhatsApp's terms of service regardless of the tool used. OpenClaw is designed for legitimate business communication - follow-ups, responses, and scheduled messages to your existing contacts and customers.
Q: Can I use my personal WhatsApp number or do I need a business number? A: You can use any WhatsApp number - personal or business. OpenClaw connects through your existing WhatsApp account via QR code. Many small business owners use their personal number for business communication, and that works perfectly with OpenClaw.
Q: How many messages can I send per day? A: There are no message limits imposed by OpenClaw. However, WhatsApp has its own rate limits and spam detection. For best results, keep your messaging patterns natural - respond to incoming messages, send follow-ups to existing contacts, and avoid mass messaging to unknown numbers.
Q: Does OpenClaw work with WhatsApp groups? A: Yes. OpenClaw can send and receive messages in WhatsApp groups, with options to exclude specific groups from auto-reply.
Q: What happens if my WhatsApp session disconnects? A: If your session is interrupted (e.g., phone restart), OpenClaw will attempt to reconnect automatically. If a new QR scan is needed, you will be notified in Dewx. All message history is preserved on your VPS.
OpenClaw is part of the Dewx platform. Explore all OpenClaw features or join the beta to get started.