Monitor WhatsApp Web for new messages using Playwright browser automation. Use when setting up WhatsApp monitoring, processing unread chats, sending messages, or configuring auto-reply behavior. Requires manual QR code scan on first run. NOT when using WhatsApp Business API (different architecture).
Scanned 9/22/2026
Install to Claude Code
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---
name: watching-whatsapp
description: |
Monitor WhatsApp Web for new messages using Playwright browser automation.
Use when setting up WhatsApp monitoring, processing unread chats, sending messages,
or configuring auto-reply behavior.
Requires manual QR code scan on first run.
NOT when using WhatsApp Business API (different architecture).
---
# WhatsApp Watcher Skill
Monitors WhatsApp Web and creates task files for important messages.
## Quick Start
```bash
# Start watcher (visible browser)
python src/watchers/whatsapp_watcher.py
# Or via MCP server (for sending)
python src/mcp_servers/whatsapp_server.py
```
## Architecture
```
MCP Server (whatsapp_server.py)
│
▼ Creates queue file
Vault/WhatsApp_Queue/SEND_to_*.md
│
▼ Watcher picks up
Watcher (whatsapp_watcher.py)
│
▼ Browser automation
WhatsApp Web → Message sent
```
**Why queues?** MCP doesn't drive browser directly to prevent session locking.
## First Run
1. Browser opens automatically
2. Scan QR code with WhatsApp mobile (120 second timeout)
3. Session persists in `config/whatsapp_data/`
4. On auth failure: Creates alert in `Vault/Needs_Action/`
## Production Gotchas ⚠️
### Contact Name Must Match Exactly
The `to` parameter must match the contact name in your phone EXACTLY (case-sensitive):
```python
# ✗ FAILS - Different case
send_whatsapp_message(to="john doe", message="Hello")
# ✓ WORKS - Exact match
send_whatsapp_message(to="John Doe", message="Hello")
```
### Priority Classification System
Messages are auto-classified by keywords:
| Priority | Keywords | Action |
|----------|----------|--------|
| Urgent | urgent, asap, emergency, critical | Immediate escalation |
| High | important, invoice, payment, deadline | Same-day review |
| Medium | question, request, update | Standard queue |
| Low | thanks, ok, noted | Archive |
### Known Contacts Get Priority Boost
Known contacts (from `config/known_senders.json`) get automatic priority upgrade:
- Medium → High for known contacts
- Unknown + High = ESCALATION (special handling)
### WhatsApp Web Selector Changes
WhatsApp updates their DOM frequently. Multiple fallback selectors are used:
```python
# Primary input selector
input_selector = 'div[contenteditable="true"][data-tab="10"]'
# Fallback
input_selector = 'div[data-testid="conversation-compose-box-input"]'
```
### QR Code Timeout
Only 120 seconds to scan QR code. After that:
- Auth fails
- Debug screenshot saved to `Vault/Logs/`
- Alert task created in `Vault/Needs_Action/`
### PII Redaction in Logs
Phone numbers are automatically redacted in audit logs:
```
+1 234 567 8900 → [REDACTED]
```
## Auto-Reply Feature
Enable automatic responses based on priority:
```bash
WHATSAPP_AUTO_REPLY=true
WHATSAPP_AUTO_REPLY_THRESHOLD=high # Options: urgent, high, medium, low
```
Only messages at or above threshold get auto-reply.
## MCP Tools
Via `whatsapp_server.py`:
1. `send_whatsapp_message(to, message, requires_approval)` - Queue message for sending
## Configuration
| Variable | Default | Description |
|----------|---------|-------------|
| `WHATSAPP_POLL_INTERVAL` | 30 | Seconds between checks |
| `WHATSAPP_HEADLESS` | false | Run browser hidden |
| `WHATSAPP_AUTO_REPLY` | false | Enable auto-reply |
| `WHATSAPP_AUTO_REPLY_THRESHOLD` | high | Minimum priority for auto-reply |
| `DRY_RUN` | false | Test mode (no actual sends) |
## Sending Messages
### With Approval (Default)
```python
send_whatsapp_message(
to="John Doe",
message="Your invoice is ready",
requires_approval=True # Creates file in Pending_Approval/
)
```
Move file to `Vault/WhatsApp_Queue/` renamed as `SEND_to_*.md` to send.
### Direct Send (Trusted)
```python
send_whatsapp_message(
to="John Doe",
message="Quick update",
requires_approval=False # Goes directly to queue
)
```
## Verification
Run: `python scripts/verify.py`
## Related Skills
- `sending-emails` - Email sending patterns
- `digital-fte-orchestrator` - Task processing loop
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