wacli
WhatsApp CLI for sync, search, and sending messages.
When & Why to Use This Skill
The wacli Claude skill provides a robust command-line interface for managing WhatsApp communications directly through an AI agent. It enables users to sync chat history, search through past messages with advanced filters, and send text or files to individuals and groups. This tool is specifically designed to enhance productivity by automating outbound messaging and information retrieval from WhatsApp, making it an essential integration for users looking to bridge the gap between their AI workflows and mobile communication platforms.
Use Cases
- Automated Notifications: Send automated project updates, alerts, or documents to specific WhatsApp contacts or groups directly from your workspace.
- Information Retrieval: Efficiently search through large volumes of WhatsApp chat history for specific keywords, dates, or attachments like invoices and reports.
- Customer Outreach: Streamline professional follow-ups by sending personalized messages and files to clients without needing to manually open the WhatsApp application.
- Communication Archiving: Sync and backfill chat history to a local environment for better data management, archival, or cross-referencing with other project notes.
| name | wacli |
|---|---|
| description | Send WhatsApp messages to other people or search/sync WhatsApp history via the wacli CLI (not for normal user chats). |
| homepage | https://wacli.sh |
| metadata | {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"📱","requires":{"bins":["wacli"]},"install":[{"id":"brew","kind":"brew","formula":"steipete/tap/wacli","bins":["wacli"],"label":"Install wacli (brew)"},{"id":"go","kind":"go","module":"github.com/steipete/wacli/cmd/wacli@latest","bins":["wacli"],"label":"Install wacli (go)"}]}} |
wacli
Use wacli only when the user explicitly asks you to message someone else on WhatsApp or when they ask to sync/search WhatsApp history.
Do NOT use wacli for normal user chats; Clawdbot routes WhatsApp conversations automatically.
If the user is chatting with you on WhatsApp, you should not reach for this tool unless they ask you to contact a third party.
Safety
- Require explicit recipient + message text.
- Confirm recipient + message before sending.
- If anything is ambiguous, ask a clarifying question.
Auth + sync
wacli auth(QR login + initial sync)wacli sync --follow(continuous sync)wacli doctor
Find chats + messages
wacli chats list --limit 20 --query "name or number"wacli messages search "query" --limit 20 --chat <jid>wacli messages search "invoice" --after 2025-01-01 --before 2025-12-31
History backfill
wacli history backfill --chat <jid> --requests 2 --count 50
Send
- Text:
wacli send text --to "+14155551212" --message "Hello! Are you free at 3pm?" - Group:
wacli send text --to "1234567890-123456789@g.us" --message "Running 5 min late." - File:
wacli send file --to "+14155551212" --file /path/agenda.pdf --caption "Agenda"
Notes
- Store dir:
~/.wacli(override with--store). - Use
--jsonfor machine-readable output when parsing. - Backfill requires your phone online; results are best-effort.
- WhatsApp CLI is not needed for routine user chats; it’s for messaging other people.
- JIDs: direct chats look like
<number>@s.whatsapp.net; groups look like<id>@g.us(usewacli chats listto find).