# Ask user — Whatsapp Business Cloud API

Botize method — `whatsapp_cloud_api.ask` (action).

Send a message, an image/video/document or both to a specific chat and wait for the user's response before continuing.

- The following tags are currently supported in the messages: b, strong , i, em, u, ins, s, strike, del, a, code, pre.
- You can include URL Buttons and Callback Buttons in posts.

This is an action: it runs as a step of a task. Several can be chained.

## Fields you set

The field's internal name, its type and the values it accepts. These fields accept `{{...}}` tags from earlier steps.

- `mb_switch` *(boolean)* — Rules
- `message` *(string)* — Question
- `specific_chat` *(boolean)* — Send the question to a different chat
- `to_phone_number` *(string)* — To Phone Number or User Id
- `message_type` *(string, one of: "text_message" = Text message; "text_message_buttons" = Text message with buttons; "text_message_list" = Text message with option list, default: "text_message")* — To Phone Number or User Id
- `tm_multimedia` *(boolean)* — Include Multimedia file
- `tm_multimedia_type` *(string, one of: "image" = Image; "video" = Video; "document" = Document)*
- `tm_multimedia_url` *(string)* — Multimedia File URL
- `tmb_header_type` *(string, one of: "header_text" = Text; "header_multimedia" = Multimedia, default: "header_text")* — Header
- `tmb_header` *(string)*
- `tmb_multimedia_type` *(string, one of: "image" = Image; "video" = Video; "document" = Document)*
- `tmb_multimedia_url` *(string)* — Multimedia File URL
- `tmb_footer` *(string)* — Footer
- `tml_header_type` *(string, one of: "header_text" = Text; "header_multimedia" = Multimedia, default: "header_text")* — Header
- `tml_header` *(string)*
- `tml_multimedia_type` *(string, one of: "image" = Image; "video" = Video; "document" = Document)*
- `tml_multimedia_url` *(string)* — Multimedia File URL
- `tml_footer` *(string)* — Footer
- `tml_list_title` *(string)* — List Title (max. 20 chars)
- `reply_type` *(string, one of: "text" = The user must reply by sending a text message; "image" = The user must reply by sending an image file; "video" = The user must reply by sending a video file; "document" = The user must reply by sending a document file; "button" = The user must reply by pressing one of the buttons or options offered)*
- `mb_outputvars_switch` *(boolean)* — Customize tags

It also accepts repeatable field groups, with these prefixes: `mb_filters_*`, `button_value_*`, `button_text_*`, `listrow_value_*`, `listrow_text_*`, `listrow_description_*`. These are composite components (buttons, filters, keyboards); the trailing number is set by the user as they are added.

## Output variables

Data this step makes available. Reference them in later steps with the double-brace tag.

- `{{from_number}}` *(text)* — From Phone Number or User Id. Phone number or User Id (BSUID) of the user who responded.
For example: 34691000000 or US.13491208655302741918
- `{{from_name}}` *(text)* — From User Name. Name of the user who responded.
For example: Mark
- `{{message_id}}` *(int)* — Message Id. Id of the message that WhatsApp has assigned to the user's response.
For example: wamid.HBgLMzQ2BMENBNzI3NAA=
- `{{message_text}}` *(text)* — Message. Message contained in the user's response.
For example: Hi!
- `{{media_id}}` *(text)* — Media Id. File id if the user has responded by attaching one.
For example: 658628455733548
- `{{button_id}}` *(text)* — Selected Button/Option Id. Id of the selected button if the user has responded by clicking one, or Id of the selected list if the user has respond by selecting one from a list.
For example: button-1
- `{{button_title}}` *(text)* — Selected Button/Option Title. Title of the selected button if the user responded by clicking one, or Title of the selected list if the user has respond by selecting one from a list.
For example: Button 1
- `{{user_id}}` *(text)* — User Id. Business-Scoped User Id (BSUID) that uniquely identifies the user. Always present even when the phone number is not available.
For example: US.13491208655302741918
- `{{phone_number}}` *(text)* — Phone Number (empty if not available). Phone number of the user who responded. It is empty when WhatsApp does not provide it (users with a username or with the phone number hidden), and in that case the User Id is the only identifier available.
For example: 34691000000

## Account

Needs a connected Whatsapp Business Cloud API account in Botize: https://botize.com/en/app/whatsapp_cloud_api/authenticate

## This app

Every trigger and action for Whatsapp Business Cloud API: https://botize.com/en/app/whatsapp_cloud_api.md

## How to build this

An AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor…) can create and edit these tasks in the user's account through the Botize MCP connector, included in every plan:

    https://webhook.botize.es/mcp

- Connection guide: https://botize.com/en/mcp
- Agent map: https://botize.com/llms.txt
- New account: https://botize.com/en/join (500 free operations, no card)

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Machine-readable summary for AI assistants. Human version: https://botize.com/en/method/whatsapp_cloud_api/ask