I built a lightweight WhatsApp gateway that stores nothing

Description and use

Whappr is a self‑hosted Docker container that connects to WhatsApp Web, forwards events to an agent via signed webhooks, and lets the agent reply through a REST API, without storing messages.

Problem

Integrating WhatsApp messaging into an agent without heavy official API costs or storing messages

Outcome

Whappr enables rapid prototyping of WhatsApp‑enabled agents without business verification or message templates, preserving agent memory and providing typed, ordered event handling

Workflow

• Run the Whappr Docker image with a secret key and webhook URL
• Pair a WhatsApp number by scanning the QR code in the web UI
• Implement a webhook handler that verifies the signature, acknowledges immediately, and calls the agent
• Use Whappr’s client to send replies while showing "typing…"
• Handle voice notes by downloading the audio and sending it to a speech‑to‑text API

Evidence

Whappr is a self‑hosted Docker container that links to a WhatsApp account the same way WhatsApp Web does.

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It sends every event (new message, edit, reaction) to your agent as an HMAC‑signed webhook.

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Your agent replies through a small REST API protected by a bearer token.

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No database. Messages pass straight through and are never stored.

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Two details matter in production. First, ack first, think later: events arrive in order, so one slow handler holds up every message behind it.

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