> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zapbip.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claude Code

> Connect Claude Code to your WhatsApp.

## What works

| You want to | Claude Code |
| - | - |
| Get messages from it | Text, photos, videos, audio, documents, locations, contacts, reactions |
| Answer it with a tap | Buttons and lists; it waits for your tap |
| Write first from WhatsApp | Yes, it answers in about 7 seconds, even when the session is idle |
| Keep a question open for hours | Yes, there is no time limit |

WhatsApp: zapbip

## How it listens

Wake type: **Local**. A connector on your computer wakes Claude Code, so it answers about 7 seconds after you write.

* Start Claude Code with `claude --dangerously-load-development-channels server:zapbip-channel`. The zapbip channel then pushes each WhatsApp message into the open session as it arrives.
* If the session is closed, the connector resumes it in about 7 seconds. Idle costs no tokens; each message costs one turn.
* Keep the listener running. To keep it alive after you close the terminal, follow [Run the connector as a service](https://docs.zapbip.com/developers/background-running.md).

When your AI asks you something, zapbip holds the question and answers "pending" at most every 50 seconds. Your AI then calls again, and keeps calling again until you answer. There is no time limit.

Use one listener, never two together. If the channel is not on, Claude Code keeps `npx zapbip@0.1.0 listen` running and watches it with Monitor. A watch lasts at most 30 minutes, so Claude Code re-arms it on each timeout notice.

## Set up from zero

1. **Message the zapbip number on WhatsApp.** Send any text, for example `hi`.

   [Open WhatsApp](https://mcp.zapbip.com/start?lang=en) to message zapbip.

2. **Ask for a new agent.** An agent is one AI you connect.

   WhatsApp: zapbip

3. **Paste the line into Claude Code.**

   `Connect yourself to my WhatsApp with zapbip: read https://mcp.zapbip.com/i/zb_inst_<code> and follow the instructions.`

   Claude Code reads the instructions and follows them in order. Before it changes a file or a setting, it tells you which one and waits for your yes. The link is secret, so keep it out of chats you share.

4. **Say yes.** Claude Code then does the rest, in this order.

5. **Add zapbip to Claude Code.** If an older `zapbip` or `zapbip-channel` entry exists, Claude Code removes it with `claude mcp remove --scope user zapbip` or `claude mcp remove --scope user zapbip-channel`. Then it runs `claude mcp add --transport http --scope user zapbip <connectionLink>` for the tools, and `claude mcp add --scope user zapbip-channel -e ZAPBIP_CONNECTION_URL=<connectionLink> -- npx zapbip@0.1.0 channel` for the live channel.

   The commands in these steps carry your connection link, so it lands in your shell history. To keep it out, put `ZAPBIP_CONNECTION_URL` in an env file as in [Run the connector as a service](https://docs.zapbip.com/developers/background-running.md).

6. **Save the zapbip skill.** After your yes, it writes `~/.claude/skills/zapbip/SKILL.md`, so every session knows how to use WhatsApp, including when to call `check_inbox`.

7. **Pick one listener.** A connection holds one listener and a second replaces the first, so it uses exactly one of these, never two together. For a stopped session it runs `ZAPBIP_CONNECTION_URL=<connectionLink> npx zapbip@0.1.0 connect --client claude-code` in the background. The connector wakes your session when you write while Claude Code is idle, and resumes a closed one with `claude -p --resume`.

8. **Only if channels are unavailable.** It runs `ZAPBIP_CONNECTION_URL=<connectionLink> npx zapbip@0.1.0 listen` in the background and watches it with Monitor, re-arming it on each timeout notice.

9. **Test it.** In a fresh process it runs `claude -p "Call send_message with the text '✅ installed'" --allowedTools=mcp__zapbip__send_message`. A `send_message` with ✅ installed reaches your WhatsApp. If the command fails, it stops and shows the last 20 lines. Then restart Claude Code to use the zapbip tools.

## Check it works

Ask Claude Code to send `✅ installed` to your WhatsApp. It should arrive in a few seconds.

WhatsApp: zapbip

If nothing arrives, see [Troubleshooting](https://docs.zapbip.com/help/troubleshooting.md).


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