Chatbot Overview
ChatYug chatbot automation lets you build keyword-triggered WhatsApp conversation flows without writing application code. Flows are created in the portal Chatbot Builders and can also be listed, created, and updated through the External API.
Prerequisites
- A ChatYug account with at least one WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) connected
- Automation permission enabled on that WABA (portal → Automation)
- For External API access: an approved API key with Bearer auth (
Authorization: Bearer ck_<api_key>)
How chatbot flows work
- You create a flow and set one or more trigger keywords (comma-separated).
- You connect nodes (messages, buttons, conditions, API calls, and more) into a conversation path.
- You save the flow, then publish it so it becomes live.
- When a customer sends a matching keyword on WhatsApp, ChatYug starts that flow and walks the customer through the nodes.
Keywords must not conflict with other published chatbot flows or Auto-Reply rules on the same WABA. The builders and External API both validate keywords before create/update.
Two builders, one automation feature
From portal Automation, ChatYug shows two cards that both manage chatbot flows:
| Portal card | Entry path | Builder UI | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatbot Builder (v1) | Automation → Chatbot Builder → /chatbot-flows.html → Create / Edit → /chatbot-builder.html |
Step/list canvas with Add Step modal | Core conversational flows; flow list, templates, import/export from the flows page |
| Trial Chatbot Builder V2 (BETA) | Automation → Trial Chatbot Builder V2 → /chatbot-builder-v2.html |
Drag-and-drop canvas with node palette and connection handles | Advanced canvas UX plus extra nodes (media, switch, loop, template message, notify, and more) |
Both builders store keyword-triggered flows for the same WABA. v2 adds a visual canvas, auto-save indicator, in-builder Templates button, and additional node types. See the Nodes Reference for which nodes each builder supports.
v1 vs v2 at a glance
| Capability | Chatbot Builder (v1) | Trial Chatbot Builder V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas style | Vertical step list | Free-form drag-and-drop canvas |
| Add nodes | Add Step modal | Drag from left palette |
| Flow list / import / export | Yes, via /chatbot-flows.html | Open V2 directly; use flows page for list/export when managing shared flows |
| Pre-built flow templates | Yes (Browse Templates on flows page) | Yes (Templates button in builder header) |
| Save / Publish / Unpublish | Yes | Yes (+ auto-save indicator) |
| Test / Preview | Preview + Test Flow | Test in header |
| Extra nodes (media, switch, loop, set variable, delay, select flow, template message, WhatsApp notify) | No | Yes |
Documentation map
- Creating a Flow — step-by-step for v1 and v2
- Nodes Reference — detailed config for every node
- Templates & Facilities — flow templates, variables, keywords, save/publish, import/export
- External API —
/api/external/chatbot/flowsendpoints
External API relationship
The External API chatbot endpoints manage the same flow records as the portal builders (list, create, get, update). They require automation permission on the API key’s WABA. They do not replace the visual builders for designing node graphs — use the portal UI to design flows, or supply a valid flowData JSON payload via API.