Auto-reply

The auto-reply rule engine watches incoming WhatsApp messages and fires a reply when a rule matches. Rules are composable: each one has a trigger, optional conditions, and an action.

Auto-reply rule editor

Trigger types

• First message — fires once when a brand-new contact messages you.
• Keyword — match any of N keywords in the incoming message body (case-insensitive, regex optional).
• Off-hours — if the message arrives outside a defined business-hours window.

Conditions

Stack any number of these:

• Contact has tag X (or doesn't have tag Y).
• It's been more than N minutes since your last outbound message in this chat.
• The chat is/isn't a group.
• The day matches a list (e.g. weekends only).

Actions

Each rule can:

• Send a text reply (with variables: {name}, {first_name}).
• Send a template.
• Add a tag to the contact.
• Move a deal to a kanban stage.
• Fire a webhook with the incoming message payload.

Build a "welcome" rule

1. Tools → Automations → + New rule.
2. Trigger: First message.
3. Action: Send template "Welcome — what's your name?". Also add tag new-lead.
4. Save.

The next time a new number messages you, they'll get the welcome reply within seconds, and the chat will be tagged new-lead so your inbox filter highlights it.

Off-hours auto-responder

1. Trigger: Off-hours → define your hours (e.g. Mon-Fri 9 AM – 7 PM, IST).
2. Action: Send template "Thanks! I'm offline. Will reply Mon morning.".
3. Optionally add: only if it's been >2h since last outbound (so you don't spam).

Limits

• Hard cap of 100 auto-replies per hour per number to avoid loops.
• Effess detects message echoes (same body in <5s) and skips them.
• All rules can be paused with a single master toggle.