
Skill
twilio-whatsapp-manage-senders
manage WhatsApp Business senders via Twilio
Description
Create, configure, and manage WhatsApp Business senders via Twilio's Channels Senders API. Covers programmatic sender registration, profile setup, webhook configuration, sender lifecycle statuses, and ISV flows. Use this skill to register and manage production WhatsApp senders at scale.
SKILL.md
Overview
A WhatsApp sender is a phone number registered with WhatsApp Business through Twilio. Registration goes through a lifecycle of statuses before becoming ONLINE. Sandbox testing does not require a registered sender — see twilio-whatsapp-send-message.
Prerequisites
- Upgraded Twilio account (trial accounts cannot register production senders)
— See
twilio-account-setupfor signup and upgrade steps - A phone number capable of receiving SMS or voice verification
- Number must not already be registered with WhatsApp
- Environment variables:
TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SIDTWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN— Seetwilio-iam-auth-setupfor credential setup and best practices
- SDK:
pip install twilio/npm install twilio
Quickstart
Python
import os
from twilio.rest import Client
client = Client(os.environ["TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID"], os.environ["TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN"])
# Step 1: Initiate registration
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create(
sender_id="whatsapp:+15017122661",
verification_method="sms"
)
print(sender.sid) # XExxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
print(sender.status) # CREATING
# Step 2: Submit the OTP Twilio sends to the number
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update(
verification_code="123456"
)
print(sender.status) # ONLINE (may pass through TWILIO_REVIEW first)
Node.js
const twilio = require("twilio");
const client = twilio(process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);
// Step 1: Initiate registration
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create({
senderId: "whatsapp:+15017122661",
verificationMethod: "sms",
});
console.log(sender.sid, sender.status);
// Step 2: Submit the OTP
const verified = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update({
verificationCode: "123456",
});
console.log(verified.status);
Sender Lifecycle Statuses
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
CREATING | Registration initiated |
PENDING_VERIFICATION | Awaiting OTP submission |
VERIFYING | OTP being validated |
TWILIO_REVIEW | Under Twilio/Meta review |
ONLINE | Active and ready to send |
OFFLINE | Inactive — check offlineReasons |
DRAFT | Incomplete registration |
Key Patterns
Set Business Profile
Python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update(
profile_name="Acme Support",
profile_about="Official support channel for Acme Corp",
profile_address="123 Main St, San Francisco, CA",
profile_vertical="PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES",
profile_logo_url="https://acme.com/logo.png",
profile_websites=["https://acme.com"]
)
Node.js
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update({
profileName: "Acme Support",
profileAbout: "Official support channel for Acme Corp",
profileAddress: "123 Main St, San Francisco, CA",
profileVertical: "PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES",
profileLogoUrl: "https://acme.com/logo.png",
profileWebsites: ["https://acme.com"],
});
Configure Webhooks
Python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update(
callback_url="https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/inbound",
callback_method="POST",
status_callback_url="https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/status"
)
Node.js
await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update({
callbackUrl: "https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/inbound",
callbackMethod: "POST",
statusCallbackUrl: "https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/status",
});
Retrieve and List Senders
Python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).fetch()
print(sender.status)
for s in client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.list():
print(s.sid, s.status)
Node.js
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).fetch();
const senders = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.list();
senders.forEach(s => console.log(s.sid, s.status));
If a sender is OFFLINE, check the offlineReasons array in the response (e.g. code 63020 means business hasn't accepted Twilio's Meta invitation).
Migrate an Existing WhatsApp Number
If a number is already registered on WhatsApp (personal or business):
- Check:
https://wa.me/<PHONE_NUMBER>?text=hi - Delete the existing WhatsApp account on the device, or disable 2FA on the competing platform
- Proceed with registration above
ISV / Tech Provider Flow
Register senders under a client's WhatsApp Business Account (WABA):
Python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create(
sender_id="whatsapp:+15017122661",
waba_id="client-waba-id"
)
Node.js
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create({
senderId: "whatsapp:+15017122661",
wabaId: "client-waba-id",
});
The client must accept Twilio's invitation in their Meta Business Manager.
CANNOT
- Cannot register a phone number to multiple WABAs — Each number belongs to one WABA at a time
- Cannot exceed 2 senders without Meta Business Verification — Unverified accounts are limited to 2
- Cannot exceed 20 senders without exception — Verified Meta Business Manager: max 20 (50 with exception request)
- Cannot verify phone number only via SMS — Voice verification is available if SMS cannot be received
Next Steps
- Send WhatsApp messages with this sender:
twilio-whatsapp-send-message - Create message templates:
twilio-content-template-builder - Send WhatsApp OTPs:
twilio-verify-send-otp
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