Direct Send API

The Direct Send API allows sending free-form messages without using pre-approved templates. When category=utility is provided in a free form message, Meta treats it as a direct send message and internally generates a template_id, which is returned in the webhook delivery status (DLR).

Important Conditions:

• category must be set to utility
• Message type must NOT be template
• Only free-form messages(text, interactive) are supported
• If type=template, Direct Send will NOT be triggered

Request Payload

Text Message Type

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "<WHATSAPP_USER_PHONE_NUMBER>",
  "type": "text",
  "text": {
    "body": "<BODY_TEXT>"
  }, 
  "category": "utility"
}

Interactive CTA button type

{
    "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
    "recipient_type": "individual",
     "to": "<WHATSAPP_USER_PHONE_NUMBER>",
    "type": "interactive",
    "category": "utility",
    "interactive": {
        "type": "cta_url",
        "header": {
            "type": "text",
            "text": "<HEADER_TEXT>"
        },
        "body": {
            "text": "<BODY_TEXT>"
        },
        "footer": {
            "text": "<FOOTER_TEXT>"
        },
        "action": {
            "name": "cta_url",
            "parameters": {
                "display_text": "<BUTTON_TEXT>",
                "url": "<BUTTON_URL>"
            }
        }
    }
}

Interactive Reply Button Type

{
    "recipient_type": "individual",
    "to": "<WHATSAPP_USER_PHONE_NUMBER>",
    "type": "interactive",
    "category":"utility",
    "interactive": {
        "type": "button",
        "header": {
            "type": "text",
            "text": "<HEADER_TEXT>"
        },
        "body": {
            "text": "<BODY_TEXT>"
        },
        "footer": {
            "text": "<FOOTER_TEXT>"
        },
        "action": {
            "buttons": [
                {
                    "type": "reply",
                    "reply": {
                        "id": "<ID1_VALUE>",
                        "title": "<FIRST_BUTTON_TITLE>"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "type": "reply",
                    "reply": {
                        "id": "<ID2_VALUE>",
                        "title": "<SECOND_BUTTON_TITLE>"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    }
}

For Webhook Event Structure, Please refer to Webhook Structure