Twilio Whatsapp Manage Senders

---
name: twilio-whatsapp-manage-senders
description: >
  Create, configure, and manage WhatsApp Business senders via Twilio's
  Channels Senders API. Covers programmatic sender registration, profile setup,
  webhook configuration, sender lifecycle statuses, and ISV flows. Use this
  skill to register and manage production WhatsApp senders at scale.
---

## Overview

A WhatsApp sender is a phone number registered with WhatsApp Business through Twilio. Registration goes through a lifecycle of statuses before becoming `ONLINE`. Sandbox testing does not require a registered sender — see `twilio-whatsapp-send-message`.

---

## Prerequisites

- Upgraded Twilio account (trial accounts cannot register production senders)
  — See `twilio-account-setup` for signup and upgrade steps
- A phone number capable of receiving SMS or voice verification
- Number must not already be registered with WhatsApp
- Environment variables:
  - `TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID`
  - `TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN`
  — See `twilio-iam-auth-setup` for credential setup and best practices
- SDK: `pip install twilio` / `npm install twilio`

---

## Quickstart

**Python**
```python
import os
from twilio.rest import Client

client = Client(os.environ["TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID"], os.environ["TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN"])

# Step 1: Initiate registration
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create(
    sender_id="whatsapp:+15017122661",
    verification_method="sms"
)
print(sender.sid)     # XExxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
print(sender.status)  # CREATING

# Step 2: Submit the OTP Twilio sends to the number
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update(
    verification_code="123456"
)
print(sender.status)  # ONLINE (may pass through TWILIO_REVIEW first)
```

**Node.js**
```node
const twilio = require("twilio");
const client = twilio(process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);

// Step 1: Initiate registration
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create({
    senderId: "whatsapp:+15017122661",
    verificationMethod: "sms",
});
console.log(sender.sid, sender.status);

// Step 2: Submit the OTP
const verified = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update({
    verificationCode: "123456",
});
console.log(verified.status);
```

---

## Sender Lifecycle Statuses

| Status | Meaning |
|--------|---------|
| `CREATING` | Registration initiated |
| `PENDING_VERIFICATION` | Awaiting OTP submission |
| `VERIFYING` | OTP being validated |
| `TWILIO_REVIEW` | Under Twilio/Meta review |
| `ONLINE` | Active and ready to send |
| `OFFLINE` | Inactive — check `offlineReasons` |
| `DRAFT` | Incomplete registration |

---

## Key Patterns

### Set Business Profile

**Python**
```python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update(
    profile_name="Acme Support",
    profile_about="Official support channel for Acme Corp",
    profile_address="123 Main St, San Francisco, CA",
    profile_vertical="PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES",
    profile_logo_url="https://acme.com/logo.png",
    profile_websites=["https://acme.com"]
)
```

**Node.js**
```node
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update({
    profileName: "Acme Support",
    profileAbout: "Official support channel for Acme Corp",
    profileAddress: "123 Main St, San Francisco, CA",
    profileVertical: "PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES",
    profileLogoUrl: "https://acme.com/logo.png",
    profileWebsites: ["https://acme.com"],
});
```

### Configure Webhooks

**Python**
```python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update(
    callback_url="https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/inbound",
    callback_method="POST",
    status_callback_url="https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/status"
)
```

**Node.js**
```node
await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).update({
    callbackUrl: "https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/inbound",
    callbackMethod: "POST",
    statusCallbackUrl: "https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/status",
});
```

### Retrieve and List Senders

**Python**
```python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).fetch()
print(sender.status)

for s in client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.list():
    print(s.sid, s.status)
```

**Node.js**
```node
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(SENDER_SID).fetch();
const senders = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.list();
senders.forEach(s => console.log(s.sid, s.status));
```

If a sender is `OFFLINE`, check the `offlineReasons` array in the response (e.g. code `63020` means business hasn't accepted Twilio's Meta invitation).

### Migrate an Existing WhatsApp Number

If a number is already registered on WhatsApp (personal or business):
1. Check: `https://wa.me/<PHONE_NUMBER>?text=hi`
2. Delete the existing WhatsApp account on the device, or disable 2FA on the competing platform
3. Proceed with registration above

### ISV / Tech Provider Flow

Register senders under a client's WhatsApp Business Account (WABA):

**Python**
```python
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create(
    sender_id="whatsapp:+15017122661",
    waba_id="client-waba-id"
)
```

**Node.js**
```node
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create({
    senderId: "whatsapp:+15017122661",
    wabaId: "client-waba-id",
});
```

The client must accept Twilio's invitation in their Meta Business Manager.

---

## CANNOT

- **Cannot register a phone number to multiple WABAs** — Each number belongs to one WABA at a time
- **Cannot exceed 2 senders without Meta Business Verification** — Unverified accounts are limited to 2
- **Cannot exceed 20 senders without exception** — Verified Meta Business Manager: max 20 (50 with exception request)
- **Cannot verify phone number only via SMS** — Voice verification is available if SMS cannot be received

---

## Next Steps

- **Send WhatsApp messages with this sender:** `twilio-whatsapp-send-message`
- **Create message templates:** `twilio-content-template-builder`
- **Send WhatsApp OTPs:** `twilio-verify-send-otp`