How to get the most out of Flow API

1. Connect right, stay connected

1. 1On your phone? Link with a code instead of the QR. It is faster and works on the same device.
2. 2Use a number on a phone that stays online and charged, with WhatsApp updated. A linked device depends on the phone staying active.
3. 3Keep a free slot in Linked devices. WhatsApp allows four; if all are taken, linking fails.
4. 4If a number drops, Flow API restarts it and emails you if it needs a new scan. Rescan from the link in the email; your token and automations stay the same.

2. Automate without missing a message

• Prefer webhooks over polling: messages reach you within a second. Set the URL in Settings, or let the n8n and Zapier triggers set it for you.
• If your server is down, nothing is lost: Flow API retries three times and then keeps the event in the queue for receiveNotification.
• Moving from Green API? Change only the host to flowapi.pro and your new credentials. Request bodies and webhook payloads are identical.
• Use the Chats tab to answer by hand when an automation hands over to a person.

3. Let AI answer, without losing control

1. 1Turn on AI auto-reply and write instructions like a briefing for a new employee: who you are, hours, prices, tone, and when to hand over.
2. 2Test with Try it before turning it on. Ask the questions customers really ask.
3. 3Keep "Pause when I reply myself" on: the moment you answer a chat from your phone, the bot steps back for 30 minutes.
4. 4Check Recent replies daily in the first week and improve the instructions where answers were weak.

A good instructions template

We are [business name] in [city].
Opening hours: [days and hours].
Prices: [main services and prices].
Tone: friendly, short answers, the customer's language.
To book: ask for day and time, say the team will confirm.
Hand over to a person for: complaints, refunds, anything urgent.
Never: promise discounts, give medical or legal advice.

4. Give your AI agent real tools

• Add the number's MCP link to Claude, ChatGPT, Grok, Cursor or n8n: your agent can read new messages, reply, send files and check numbers on its own.
• Ask it for summaries: "What did customers ask today, and what still needs an answer?"
• Treat the MCP link like a password: it contains your API token.

5. Stay safe with WhatsApp

• Message people who know you: customers, leads who asked, patients who booked.
• Pace bulk sends and use sendTyping before longer replies, so messages feel human.
• Flow API allows up to 60 messages a minute per number; above that you get a 429 with Retry-After, and your tool should wait and retry.

6. Grow: agencies and savings

• Manage every client number from one dashboard; create numbers automatically with the Partner API.
• Earn 20% of every payment from customers who sign up with your affiliate link, for as long as they stay.
• Annual plans give two months free; the Agency 5-Pack works out to $6.67 per number per month.

Questions