We are excited to announce a powerful new feature in the Curfox Staff Portal: WhatsApp Messaging Integration. This update enables staff users to send important notifications and updates directly to merchants via WhatsApp, ensuring timely and effective communication.

Feature Overview

This integration connects the Curfox platform with the Meta WhatsApp Business API, enabling one-way communication from Curfox staff to merchants.

Key Capabilities

• Direct Notifications
  Send messages directly from the Merchant Notification section of the Staff Portal to a merchant’s registered WhatsApp number.
• Centralized Configuration
  A new configuration panel allows administrators to set up WhatsApp Business API credentials once for the entire system.
• Test Functionality
  The Send Test Message option helps verify API configuration before sending official communications.
• Notification Log
  A history table records all WhatsApp messages sent, including the recipient, message content, and sent date.

Setup & Configuration

1️⃣ Meta WhatsApp Business API Setup (Prerequisites)

Before configuring Curfox, you must set up an account and generate credentials through Meta:

1. Create a Meta Business Portfolio and a developer app.
2. Add the WhatsApp product to your app.
3. Create a System User with Admin permissions.
4. Assign your App and WhatsApp Account assets to the System User with Full Control.
5. Generate a permanent Access Token with:
   • whatsapp_business_management
   • whatsapp_business_messaging permissions.
6. Obtain your WhatsApp Phone Number ID and WhatsApp Business ID.

👉 For a full step-by-step guide, please refer to the attached technical document: Whatsapp Message API Setup

2️⃣ Configuration in Curfox Staff Portal

Once credentials are ready:

1. Go to Settings → General.
2. Select the Notification tab.
3. Under Merchant Notifications, click the three-dot menu (…) and select Configure WhatsApp.
4. In the configuration modal, enter:

• WhatsApp Token: Your permanent access token.
• WhatsApp Business ID: Your business account ID.
• WhatsApp Phone Number ID: The number you will send messages from.

5. Click Submit to save.

6. Use the built-in Test Message option to verify the connection.

How to Use

Once configured:

1. Navigate to Merchant Notification.
2. Compose your message.
3. Select the merchant(s) you wish to notify.
4. Click Send WhatsApp.

Your message will be delivered to the merchant’s WhatsApp number.

Important Limitations (Free Tier)

This integration currently uses the Meta WhatsApp Business API free tier, which comes with restrictions:

• 24-Hour Conversation Window
  Conversations between Curfox and a merchant are only valid for 24 hours.
• Merchant-Initiated Conversations
  Merchants must first message your business WhatsApp number to open the 24-hour communication window.
• Daily Re-initiation
  To send a new notification after the 24-hour window expires, the merchant must send another message to re-open it.

➡️ Upgrading to a paid Meta plan will remove these limitations, allowing you to initiate conversations anytime.

✅ With this release, Curfox enhances staff-to-merchant communication by integrating WhatsApp messaging directly into the Staff Portal, improving reliability and convenience.