name: whatsapp
description: Read and send WhatsApp messages using the wacli CLI. Use when user asks to check WhatsApp, read messages, or send a WhatsApp message.
user_invocable: false
github_url: https://github.com/nickschwab/wacli

WhatsApp Access

Read and send WhatsApp messages using the wacli CLI.

Trigger

Use when:
- User asks "check WhatsApp" or "any WhatsApp messages?"
- User wants to read messages from a contact
- User wants to send a WhatsApp message
- Following up on a conversation mentioned in WhatsApp

Prerequisites

• wacli CLI installed (/opt/homebrew/bin/wacli)
• Authenticated: run wacli auth once to scan QR code
• Store directory: ~/.wacli (default)

Commands

Check Auth Status

wacli doctor

List Recent Chats

wacli chats --limit 20
wacli chats --limit 20 --json  # For structured output

Search Messages

# Search by contact (phone number or name)
wacli messages --contact "+85261872354" --limit 10

# Search by keyword across all chats
wacli messages --search "interview" --limit 20

# Combine contact + keyword
wacli messages --contact "German" --search "coffee" --limit 10

Read Specific Chat

# By phone number
wacli messages --contact "+85298765432" --limit 20

# By chat ID (from chats list)
wacli messages --chat "[email protected]" --limit 20

Send Message

# Send text
wacli send --to "+85298765432" --text "Thanks for your message!"

# Send to group (use group JID from chats list)
wacli send --to "[email protected]" --text "Hello group"

Download Media

# Download media from a message
wacli media --message-id "ABC123" --output ~/Downloads/

Contact Management

# List contacts
wacli contacts --limit 50

# Search contacts
wacli contacts --search "recruiter"

Output Formats

Add --json to any command for structured JSON output:

wacli chats --limit 10 --json
wacli messages --contact "+852..." --json

Common Patterns

Check for new messages from recruiters

wacli chats --limit 10 --json | jq '.[] | select(.unread > 0)'

Find messages from a specific person

wacli messages --search "German" --limit 20

Reply to last message in a chat

# Get last message to see context
wacli messages --contact "+852..." --limit 1

# Send reply
wacli send --to "+852..." --text "Your reply here"

Message Direction

In wacli messages output:
- from_me: true — Messages you sent
- from_me: false — Messages you received

Cautions

• QR expires: If disconnected, need to re-auth with wacli auth
• Rate limits: Don't send too many messages too quickly
• Media: Large media downloads may take time
• Groups: Use group JID (ends with @g.us) not phone number

Integration with Message Skill

The /message skill uses wacli for WhatsApp message retrieval and sending. This is the underlying CLI reference.

Troubleshooting