⚡ Quick Start
This guide will help you get started quickly with Whinself, your self-hosted WhatsApp API.
Note: Whinself is an unofficial third-party tool and is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta Platforms, Inc.
Prerequisites
- Docker installed on your system
- A WhatsApp account
- Basic knowledge of terminal commands
Step 1: Create Configuration File
Create a directory for Whinself:
mkdir -p ~/whinself
cd ~/whinself
Create a config.json
file:
{
"slotid": "my-whatsapp-bot",
"nrurl": "https://webhook.site/your-unique-id",
"portin": 9001,
"devicename": "My WhatsApp Bot",
"logstdout": true
}
Replace the nrurl
with your webhook URL or use a service like webhook.site for testing.
Step 2: Run the Docker Container
docker run -d \
--name whatsapp-bot \
--restart unless-stopped \
-p 9001:9001 \
-v $(pwd)/config.json:/app/config/config.json \
inutil/whingo:latest
Step 3: Access the Dashboard
Open a browser and navigate to:
http://localhost:9001
Step 4: Create an Account & Connect
- Register a new account (or login if you already have one)
- Click "Subscribe" to activate your free trial (no payment info required)
- Scan the QR code with WhatsApp on your phone:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device
- Scan the QR code from the Whinself dashboard
Once connected, the status indicators will turn green and show your connected phone number.
Step 5: Test Sending a Message
curl -X POST http://localhost:9001/wspout \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"text": "Hello from Whinself!",
"jid": "[email protected]"
}'
Replace 1234567890
with the recipient's phone number (including country code).
What's Next?
- Check Messages for detailed API information
- Learn about Groups management
- Explore Contacts handling
- Set up Security for your installation
Remember that you're responsible for ensuring your usage complies with WhatsApp's Terms of Service.