> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documents.xobito.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> From zero to your first WhatsApp message in ~10 minutes.

This guide walks you through creating an account, connecting WhatsApp, adding one contact, and sending your first message with Xobito.

<Note>
  **Before you start:** have your Meta Business Manager login ready and a phone number that is **not** currently active in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app.
</Note>

## Step 1 — Create your Xobito account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign up">
    Go to [dash.xobito.com/register](https://dash.xobito.com/register) and create an account with your email and a password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify your email">
    Click the verification link we send to your inbox. This activates your workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a plan">
    Pick a subscription plan. You can start on a trial — see [Billing & Subscription](/settings/billing-subscription).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 2 — Connect your WhatsApp Business account

From the left sidebar, click **Setup → Connect WhatsApp**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click 'Login with Facebook'">
    Xobito opens Meta's embedded signup window. Log in with the account that owns your Business Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your WABA">
    Choose an existing WhatsApp Business Account or create a new one inside the Meta dialog.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a phone number">
    Enter the phone number you want to use. Meta will send a verification code via SMS or call.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish the handshake">
    Xobito stores your Meta tokens, configures the incoming webhook, and your number goes live.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Stuck on this step? See [Connect Meta Business — troubleshooting](/whatsapp/connect-meta-business#troubleshooting).
</Tip>

## Step 3 — Add your first contact

Go to **Contacts → All Contacts → Add Contact**.

Minimum required fields on the form:

| Field      | Example                                       |
| ---------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| First name | `Alex`                                        |
| Last name  | `Doe`                                         |
| Phone      | `+14155551234` (with country code, no spaces) |

Click **Save**. The contact appears in your list.

<Warning>
  The phone number must start with a **`+`** and a country code, matching `/^\+[1-9]\d{5,14}$/`. That means 6 to 15 digits after the `+`, the first digit cannot be `0`, and there are no spaces, dashes, or parentheses. Numbers that don't match are rejected by the form and cannot receive WhatsApp messages.
</Warning>

## Step 4 — Start a conversation

WhatsApp allows free-form replies only within the **24-hour session window** that opens when a contact messages you first. For a brand-new contact who hasn't messaged you, your first outgoing message must be an approved **template**.

<Note>
  You can use any **APPROVED** template from your Templates library. Meta often pre-approves a generic sample template called **`hello_world`** on new WABAs, which makes it a convenient starter — but any approved template from your own library works equally well.
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Live Chat">
    Click **Chat** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start a new conversation">
    Click **New Chat** and pick the contact you just added.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send an approved template">
    Click **Send Template**, select one of your approved templates (for example `hello_world` if it's available), and click **Send**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

You'll see the message appear in the conversation. The tick indicators follow WhatsApp's standard:

* **Single gray tick** — sent from Xobito.
* **Double gray tick** — delivered to the recipient's device.
* **Double blue tick** — read by the recipient.

<Check>Done! You've sent your first WhatsApp message through Xobito.</Check>

## What to do next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create your own template" icon="file-pen" href="/templates/create-template">
    Design a branded Marketing or Utility template and submit it for Meta approval.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run a campaign" icon="bullhorn" href="/campaigns/create-campaign">
    Broadcast an approved template to a group of contacts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build a chatbot" icon="robot" href="/automations/bot-flows">
    Reply automatically to incoming messages with a bot flow.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Invite your team" icon="users" href="/team/staff-members">
    Add staff members so multiple people can handle the inbox.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>