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

# WhatsApp templates

> Create and validate templates, fill variables, and follow approval status.

export const Availability = ({lang = 'es', plan, addon, permission, route, status}) => {
  const L = lang === 'en' ? {
    plan: 'Plan',
    addon: 'Add-on',
    permission: 'Permission',
    route: 'Where',
    status: 'Status',
    addonNote: 'enabled on request',
    allPlans: 'All plans',
    beta: 'Beta',
    nuevo: 'New',
    soon: 'Coming soon'
  } : {
    plan: 'Plan',
    addon: 'Add-on',
    permission: 'Permiso',
    route: 'Dónde',
    status: 'Estado',
    addonNote: 'se activa a pedido',
    allPlans: 'Todos los planes',
    beta: 'Beta',
    nuevo: 'Nuevo',
    soon: 'Próximamente'
  };
  const items = [];
  if (plan) items.push([L.plan, plan]);
  if (addon) items.push([L.addon, `${addon} · ${L.addonNote}`]);
  if (permission) items.push([L.permission, permission]);
  if (route) items.push([L.route, route]);
  if (status) items.push([L.status, L[status] || status]);
  return <div style={{
    display: 'flex',
    flexWrap: 'wrap',
    gap: '6px 22px',
    padding: '12px 16px',
    margin: '4px 0 24px',
    border: '1px solid rgba(2, 82, 255, 0.28)',
    borderLeft: '3px solid #0252ff',
    borderRadius: '8px',
    background: 'rgba(2, 82, 255, 0.05)',
    fontSize: '13.5px',
    lineHeight: '1.5'
  }}>
      {items.map(([k, v]) => <div key={k} style={{
    display: 'flex',
    gap: '6px',
    alignItems: 'baseline'
  }}>
          <span style={{
    fontSize: '10.5px',
    fontWeight: 600,
    letterSpacing: '0.07em',
    textTransform: 'uppercase',
    opacity: 0.65
  }}>{k}</span>
          <span style={{
    fontWeight: 500
  }}>{v}</span>
        </div>)}
    </div>;
};

<Availability lang="en" route="Settings → Inbox → Templates" permission="channels.read; channels.update to create or edit" />

Templates provide approved messages for inbox and campaign use. Select the channel before creating one. ContactShip displays Meta’s approval state; local validation does not constitute approval.

## Create a template

1. Choose **New template** and enter its name, language, category, and variable format.
2. Add an optional text, image, video, or document header.
3. Write the required message body and example values for variables.
4. Add an optional footer and supported buttons.
5. Use **Validate**, resolve errors, and **Save** to submit for review.
6. Return to the list to check approval before sending.

Name, language, and variable format cannot change after creation. Categories created here are **Marketing** and **Utility**. Existing Authentication templates can be listed but not created or edited here.

## Editor limits

| Part         | Rules                                                             |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Name         | Up to 512 characters; lowercase letters, digits, underscores.     |
| Text header  | Up to 60 characters and one variable, with an example.            |
| Message body | Up to 1,024 characters and 10 variables; examples required.       |
| Footer       | Up to 60 characters; no variables.                                |
| Buttons      | Up to 10, with labels up to 25 characters and no label variables. |

Positional variables use consecutive numbers starting with `{{1}}`. Named variables use lowercase names such as `{{customer_name}}`. Provide surrounding text instead of a body made only of variables. The format selector is locked while the message contains variables.

Supported buttons are **Quick reply**, **URL**, and **Phone number**. Keep quick-reply buttons together. At most two URL buttons and one phone button are allowed. URLs must be valid HTTP(S) addresses; phone numbers use international format. Dynamic button URLs, location headers, flow/catalog buttons, and deletion are not offered here.

Header uploads are review examples; choose the actual media at send time.

## Approval and sending

Only `APPROVED` templates can be sent. `PENDING` means under review. `REJECTED` can be edited and resubmitted. Other visible states include `IN_APPEAL`, `PENDING_DELETION`, `DISABLED`, and `PAUSED`. The app allows editing approved or rejected templates, excluding Authentication.

From the inbox, select a template, fill every variable and media field, inspect the preview, and send. Campaigns use the same approved-template requirement. Approval timing, detailed rejection reasons, and template quality are not supplied by this editor.

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Does Validate submit to Meta?">
    No. Save validates again and submits when the form is valid.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is a template absent from campaigns?">
    Check the selected channel and ensure the template is approved.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I rename an existing template?">
    Name, language, and variable format are immutable after creation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the review example image for every recipient automatically?">
    The example is for review; inspect and choose the actual media during sending.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## See also

* [Inbox](/en/messages/inbox)
* [Message campaigns](/en/messages/campaigns)
* [Connect WhatsApp](/en/messages/connect-whatsapp)