> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.docs.wazap.dev/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Message Types Overview > Complete guide to all 14 message types supported by the WhatsApp Client SDK ## Supported Message Types Plain text with URL previews and reply support JPEG, PNG, WebP images with captions MP4, 3GPP videos with captions Voice messages and audio files PDFs, Word docs, spreadsheets, and more Up to 3 clickable buttons with custom IDs Dropdown menus with multiple sections Pre-approved message templates GPS coordinates with optional names vCard contact information WebP animated and static stickers Reply to specific messages with context React to messages with emojis Send to multiple recipients with rate limiting ## Message Type Categories ### 1. Basic Messages Simple, straightforward communication: * **Text**: Plain text messages with optional URL previews * **Location**: GPS coordinates with optional metadata ### 2. Media Messages Rich media content: * **Image**: Photos, screenshots, graphics (JPEG, PNG, WebP) * **Video**: Video files and recordings (MP4, 3GPP) * **Audio**: Voice messages and audio files (AAC, MP3, OGG) * **Document**: Files and documents (PDF, DOC, XLS, TXT) * **Sticker**: Animated and static WebP stickers ### 3. Interactive Messages User engagement and responses: * **Buttons**: Up to 3 action buttons with custom responses * **Lists**: Dropdown menus with multiple options and sections ### 4. Structured Messages Business communication: * **Template**: Pre-approved message templates for notifications * **Contact**: vCard contact information sharing ### 5. Enhanced Communication Advanced interaction features: * **Contextual Replies**: Reply to specific messages with threaded context * **Message Reactions**: React to messages with emoji expressions ### 6. Bulk Messaging Send to multiple recipients: * **Broadcast Messages**: Send messages to multiple recipients with intelligent rate limiting and progress tracking ## Quick Reference ### Message Size Limits | Message Type | Size Limit | Caption Support | | ---------------- | ----------------- | ----------------------------- | | Text | 4,096 characters | N/A | | Image | 5 MB | ✅ (1,024 chars) | | Video | 16 MB | ✅ (1,024 chars) | | Audio | 16 MB | ❌ | | Document | 100 MB | ✅ (1,024 chars) | | Sticker | 500 KB | ❌ | | Interactive | N/A | Footer text supported | | Template | Varies | Template-defined | | Location | N/A | Name/address fields | | Contact | N/A | Multiple contacts per message | | Contextual Reply | Same as base type | Inherits from message type | | Reaction | N/A | Single emoji only | ### Common Properties All messages share these common properties: ```typescript theme={null} interface BaseMessage { type: WhatsAppMessageType; // Message type identifier to: string; // Recipient phone number (+1234567890) context?: { // Optional: Reply to another message message_id: string; }; } ``` ### Response Format All message sending methods return a consistent response: ```typescript theme={null} interface MessageResponse { messaging_product: 'whatsapp'; contacts: Array<{ input: string; // Phone number sent to wa_id: string; // WhatsApp ID }>; messages: Array<{ id: string; // Unique message ID message_status?: string; // Message status }>; } ``` ## Usage Patterns ### 1. Simple Message Sending ```typescript theme={null} // Text message await client.sendText('+1234567890', 'Hello World!'); // Image with caption await client.sendImage('+1234567890', { link: 'https://example.com/image.jpg', caption: 'Check out this image!' }); // Location await client.sendLocation('+1234567890', 40.7128, -74.0060, { name: 'New York City', address: 'New York, NY, USA' }); ``` ### 2. Interactive Messages ```typescript theme={null} // Button menu await client.sendButtons( '+1234567890', 'Choose an option:', [ { id: 'option1', title: 'Option 1' }, { id: 'option2', title: 'Option 2' }, { id: 'option3', title: 'Option 3' } ] ); // List menu await client.sendList( '+1234567890', 'Select a category:', 'View Options', [ { title: 'Main Category', rows: [ { id: 'item1', title: 'Item 1', description: 'First item' }, { id: 'item2', title: 'Item 2', description: 'Second item' } ] } ] ); ``` ### 3. Media Messages ```typescript theme={null} // Upload and send const mediaResponse = await client.uploadMedia(fileBuffer, 'image'); await client.sendImage('+1234567890', { id: mediaResponse.id, caption: 'Uploaded image' }); // Send from URL await client.sendDocument('+1234567890', { link: 'https://example.com/document.pdf', filename: 'important-document.pdf' }); ``` ### 4. Template Messages ```typescript theme={null} await client.sendTemplate( '+1234567890', 'hello_world', 'en_US', [ { type: 'body', parameters: [ { type: 'text', text: 'John' } ] } ] ); ``` ## Message Selection Guide ### Choose Text Messages When: * Sending simple notifications * Providing information or updates * Responding to basic queries * URL sharing (with preview) ### Choose Media Messages When: * Sharing visual content (images/videos) * Sending documents or files * Voice communications (audio) * Creative expression (stickers) ### Choose Interactive Messages When: * Providing menu options * Collecting user choices * Creating conversational flows * Reducing typing for users ### Choose Template Messages When: * Sending business notifications * Order confirmations * Appointment reminders * Promotional content (with approval) ### Choose Location Messages When: * Sharing business addresses * Meeting point coordination * Delivery information * Geographic references ### Choose Contact Messages When: * Sharing business contact info * Referrals and introductions * Support team information * Professional networking ### Choose Broadcast Messages When: * Sending to multiple recipients * Order confirmations for many customers * Marketing campaigns (with approved templates) * System notifications to user base * Event announcements to subscriber list ## Best Practices ### 1. Message Type Selection ```typescript theme={null} // ✅ Good: Choose appropriate message type // For simple confirmations await client.sendText(to, 'Your order has been confirmed!'); // For choices await client.sendButtons(to, 'Rate your experience:', [ { id: 'excellent', title: '⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐' }, { id: 'good', title: '⭐⭐⭐⭐' }, { id: 'poor', title: '⭐⭐' } ]); // For file sharing await client.sendDocument(to, { link: documentUrl, filename: 'invoice.pdf', caption: 'Your invoice is attached' }); ``` ### 2. Content Optimization ```typescript theme={null} // ✅ Good: Optimize content for mobile await client.sendText( to, 'Order Update 📦\n\n' + '• Status: Shipped\n' + '• Tracking: 123456789\n' + '• ETA: Tomorrow 2-4 PM\n\n' + 'Track: https://track.example.com/123456789' ); ``` ### 3. Error Handling ```typescript theme={null} try { const response = await client.sendImage(to, { link: imageUrl }); console.log('Message sent:', response.messages[0].id); } catch (error) { if (error instanceof MessageValidationError) { console.error('Invalid message:', error.field); } else if (error instanceof MediaProcessingError) { console.error('Media error:', error.message); } } ``` ### 4. Message Chaining ```typescript theme={null} // Send related messages in sequence async function sendOrderConfirmation(to: string, order: Order) { // 1. Confirmation text await client.sendText(to, `Order #${order.id} confirmed! 🎉`); // 2. Order details document await client.sendDocument(to, { link: order.invoiceUrl, filename: `invoice-${order.id}.pdf`, caption: 'Your order invoice' }); // 3. Tracking options await client.sendButtons(to, 'What would you like to do?', [ { id: 'track', title: '📦 Track Order' }, { id: 'support', title: '💬 Contact Support' }, { id: 'receipt', title: '📧 Email Receipt' } ]); } ``` ## Platform Limitations ### WhatsApp Business API Limits * **Messages per second**: Varies by tier (check Meta documentation) * **Message retention**: 30 days for media files * **Template approval**: Required for template messages * **Business verification**: Required for higher rate limits ### SDK-Specific Features * **Automatic retry**: Built-in retry logic for failed messages * **Rate limit handling**: Automatic backoff when limits are reached * **Validation**: Pre-send validation to prevent API errors * **Type safety**: Full TypeScript support for all message types ## Next Steps Learn about text messages with URL previews and replies Explore image, video, audio, and document messages Create engaging buttons and list menus Reply to specific messages with threaded context Express emotions with emoji reactions Handle incoming messages and user responses