## How to create a new chatbot?


1. Go to your Wati Dashboard and navigate to **Automation**
2. Click on **Chatbots** from the Automation Menu

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/44dfc7eb-2e45-458b-acd0-115689745724/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=87d511bb4d7d19f4c11c28516ed74f195597db543b04472458eeab90c32c764d&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)


3. Click on the green button that says **"Add Chatbot"**

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/dd91a563-40d6-4d6c-9f85-f22a9e446cb1/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=d909f45bcbc593e82ad7be3b5f0e67d142da63b593f1b39561116e5cbece0607&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)


4. Now you will see a page with a lot of templates you can either choose a template if your chatbot idea is similar.
   However, if you want to start from scratch you can do that too.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/1d551000-07cc-499a-ae72-b8962bec3f50/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=ccf7a4faddae88edb1acfd0ab55013851b87c4ba7f361f4a1808191e92a906e2&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)


5. If you choose to start from scratch you can press the green button and a pop-up will show up for your chatbot name.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/70729e34-b71c-4f37-8bb7-4e4496426efd/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=6418e7ef5f26150de82319781ef4744be618c19b461b88ec45473d7cfd710814&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

## How to build a chatbot?

Basically, we will just need to drag-and-drop, fill data, and click save changes. You can follow the below steps:


1. Click "Send a message" to the board if you want to use it
2. Click "Ask a question" to the board if you want to use it
3. Click "Set a condition" to the board if you want to use it
4. Click the "<<" button to enlarge the map (hide the node options)
5. Follow the sequence, it is: zoom in, zoom out, put to normal percentage, and in the centre, lock/unlock the zoom by mouse.
6. Floating window: help you to see overall of the chatbot.
7. Click to "Save Chatbot"

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/fe07a7d5-9640-4c38-9fb7-c52845786ffe/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=9c7eefa043d76e3861aa00e6d25a7c64bb4bad9aea3faae7cfb8bbec1eff9155&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)


:::info
You can watch the steps in the below video as well:

:::

## Types of Chatbot Nodes

There are 3 types of chatbot nodes:

***3.1 Send a Message*** *=> With no response required from visitors*

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/4fa8a175-4bf5-41f6-9ac2-e8412b8a4010/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=61be5fb0874c1b7e8832c0bbdfbb55de8062a2b5146141c53479ffaa68d423ae&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

Usually, this will be the last node in each branch of the chatbot. There are 5 types of messages, and no user input is expected:


1. Text
2. Image
3. Video
4. Audio
5. Document (pdf, docs, etc)

**3.2 A*sk a Question*** *=> User input is expected and required validation*

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/5cdd31cb-b5fc-4021-a812-6caa94d44f44/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=47e826d290c4bdcd8bc538c14d15e86d9660c9e19bfcfb2e5194ae44589a864d&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

There are 2 types of answer reply:

* Users can set a pre-defined list in the "Add answer variant" for customers to follow. With each reply, the user can drag the arrow into the subsequent node to create the next step. It means it will go to a specific node if the condition is matched. For E.g. if the user types hello, it will go to the next node matching hello. If the user types something else, it will go to the fallback node.
* Users can save the customer's input data into a variable in "Save Answers in a variable". 

  
:::info
  Note: this variable can be used anywhere through the chatbot as input for other nodes.

  :::

Users can type a question and can choose the validation rule under the Advanced option so that it can validate user input and return errors if not validated. There are 5 types of advance validation currently: \* **Number**: User can define min and max value, along with Validation error message. If the user inputs any number, not in the range, the error message will be prompted until the user can input it correctly.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/5c7d59ff-2088-4d6d-af9a-a143b592d31a/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=758ae5a795f7ce6ae1128c06668eddb7c3b8c672e2e48590ee7efac9c7823b37&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

**\*\*. Date:** If the user inputs any text that is not in date format, the error message will be prompted until the user can input it correctly.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/6d6008c8-5ba6-4a32-9a92-32bb22c75fc8/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=e50969de9b8318d49ff287021b9e9705b90172cef87e6c3498e37f2be15af007&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

\***\*\*. Date + Time:** If the user inputs any text that is not in date and time format, the error message will be prompted until the user can input it correctly.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/48d0a801-18a2-405a-b9d2-9af22092a46e/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=1bd70cfdeec3f54857e06d625991034168f3073466fbe0b9f8a182d517f172af&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

\***\*\*. Time:** If the user inputs any text that is not in time format, the error message will be prompted until the user can input it correctly.

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/2fbff99a-e9e9-4b8c-8988-91eb1afc8b59/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=da88bfebcab38d42d0381f190c9528bbc578cdfc17510853dca1599d55025e2b&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

\***\*\*\*. Pattern (Regex):** There is a field "Regex pattern" for the user to input pattern rule eg National ID: If the user input any text that is not date format, the error message will be prompted until the user can input it correctly.


 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/136a045c-712f-4780-a05b-4679939f1c48/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=bb66cc79da20fff524b7cf951e1c9fd52e9be160a35c4b429367d4bc4c94c101&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

**Question node with Expected Answers:** if no condition matches (Expected Answer default answer is already implemented)

Below is an example of the existing default chatbot:

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/91872449-89e1-4551-bcbc-9935b488a387/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=9672b339d8758d851db081f33cd41fa413ba0881184e181b0886bde6f40a7288&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

**2.3.3 Conditions:**

Condition is used to determine which node should go next based on the saved variables. It consists of 3 elements:

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/aadf6331-f24b-4fc8-b986-8338a7f43733/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=1f83bac13524267930a2e46dace37f00a9fd03674012d5488324ad86cc30a716&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

* IF @ input: Where we write/select the variable(or/and use CustomParam) that we want to check**.**

  
:::info
  **Note:** The CustomParam is the parameter that we store the customer's input value in the current chatbot.

  :::
* Condition Operator (equal to, not equal to, contains, does not contain, starts with, does not start with)
* Value / Variable input: Where we write/select the variable or a value (string or number) that we want to check against the first variable
* Add rule (AND & OR): To add more than one rule. TRUE output (Green dot), FALSE output (Red dot)

 ![](https://brainfish-storage-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8ce9edeb-6728-4e9a-aea1-2080a897fd28/f0800c9f-332b-4b44-bf49-dbae9a357df7/migrated?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUPPN5IL3QLQZLDSU%2F20250730%2Fus-east-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250730T161240Z&X-Amz-Expires=3000&X-Amz-Signature=d434dfdf3308f6376e06e0d7c50bc03453c984b9e59d667736c2048b55791089&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=attachment)

To learn more about creating templates with buttons, you may refer to [How to trigger a chatbot with template?](https://wati.brainfish.ai/articles/how-to-trigger-a-chatbot-with-template-CgTK1yMOhW)

How to build a chatbot?

Triggering the AI Support Agent (KnowBot) from a Chatbot flow

AI Support Agent (KnowBot)

AI Support Agent (KnowBot) Advanced Settings (Rules)

​AI Support Agent (KnowBot)

Whatsapp Flows

Custom Attributes for Whatsapp Flows

Understanding Built-In Automation Rules: Out of Office (OOO) and Welcome Message 

How to create a Rule for keywords

How to create an automation rule?

Learn more about Triggers

Learn more about Actions in Rules

Learn more about Filters in Rules

How to Automatically Assign a Chat to the Last Assignee

Rule-based Automation

CTWA Conversion Tracking Best Practices and Example Templates

How to enable Auto Follow-Ups for Leads from CTWA Ads

CTWA Feature Highlights on WATI

Crash course in CTWA - all you need to know to get started!

Are your CTWA ads giving you good conversions? Track this in Wati with 4 easy steps

Wati and Google CTM Ads

General FAQs: CTWA

Messaging limit for Click-to-WhatsApp Ads (CTWA)

Click To WhatsApp Ads (CTWA)

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How to change language for WATI?

How to change my timezone in WATI?

Personalize your account

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Detail Access Menu of each Roles

How to view, search and delete users?

How to force logout a specific user from all active sessions?

Manage your Users

How to add a single contact?

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How to import contacts to Wati?

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How do I search and sort contacts?

How to add an attribute in bulk to a list of contacts?

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Manage your Contacts

Introduction to Team Inbox Analytics

Overview section

Team Inbox scheduled report

Operator Performance chart

Analytics and Reporting

How to enable Catalog feature for your Wati WhatsApp API number

How to send Catalog messages via Keyword action

How to use Wati Chatbot builder to send Catalog Messages

What are sets & How to create sets in your catalog

How to trigger a reply message once the “View sent cart” catalog message is sent from customer

How to use Sync button for Catalog feature

How to collect customer order details from Catalog orders using Google sheets

Orders page to display Catalog orders

How to collect online payment for catalog orders using Razorpay payment gateway

How to enable Auto Checkout and collect payment for my Catalog order?

What are item variants in a catalog

How to add variants for items when Catalog created using Google Sheet

How to set up a checkout flow for catalog orders using Wati Chatbot builder

Mandatory fields & specifications required to be added to product items when creating catalog

Catalog

How Long until My Template is Approved?

How do I increase the expiry time of chats?

What is the difference between template message and session message?

What are actions in Template Messages Page?

What is a template message?

What are template formatting rules?

Template Category Guidelines

What is the max numbers of template message submission?

What are the supported languages for template update?

Could I attach a PDF or image into a template message?

How to avoid template message rejection?

How to add buttons with template messages?

How to export and import template messages from one environment to a new environment?

How do I check and add credit to send broadcast template message

How to create and submit template messages in WATI?

Are non-transactional messages allowed with WhatsApp Business APIs?

How to use interactive messages?

How to get Opt-in for WhatsApp Messaging?

Template Message Guidelines

How to add buttons to templates?

How to trigger a chatbot with template?

Troubleshoot template message rejection

How to create a carousel template

What are limited time offer templates?

Understanding Meta’s Latest Updates on Template Approval

Template Messages

What and how to add a Default Action?

Setting working hours

Default Action

What is a Reply Material?

How do I add a Reply Material?

How to use the Sequence feature?

Reply Material

What and how to access Chatbot Builder?

How to use Questions for Chatbot builder?

How to use Conditions for Chatbot Builder

Advance Chatbot Builder: Setup Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Advance chatbot builder: Setup Assign User / Assign Team

Advance Chatbot builder: Update Attribute

Advance chatbot builder: Webhook

What features are available in advance chatbot builder

Advance Chatbot Builder: Template

How to collect data with Google sheets in Chatbots

Chatbot Builder: What is a node and how many types of node?

Export and Import of Chatbots

Advance Chatbot Builder: Time Delay

How to create list message & message with reply button?

Advanced Chatbot Builder: Trigger Chatbot

Why is my chatbot not working?

How to test a chatbot?

Automatic chat assignment (Round Robin assignment)

How to use Fallback Message

How to use Chatbot Timer?

How to build a Chatbot

Steps to trigger a chatbot in Wati

How to Trigger a Chatbot Using Rules

Chatbot

How do I add a Keyword Action?

What is Keyword Action?

Keyword Action

Routing

What is WATI Automation Feature?

How does WATI Automation Feature work?

How to make a Backward Chatbot?

Automation

Building your WATI chatbot

Tips to send personalized media content broadcast to each number

How to send message to someone who is not in the Contact List?

Is there a limit of broadcast messages?

How do I edit or delete a scheduled broadcast?

What is a Broadcast History?

Where can I see Broadcast Statistics?

How can I search and filter Broadcasts?

How to Troubleshoot Common Errors? 

How to allow users to Opt-Out or Unsubscribe from Broadcasts?

How to easily broadcast to a subset of your Shopify customers on Wati?

How can I send catalog messages?

How can I use coupon codes?

"Message Undeliverable" when sending template messages

How can I enable click tracking for my templates?

Why is Meta/Wati restricting my messages?

General FAQs: Broadcasts

How to Use Predefined Segments in Broadcast Campaigns

Broadcast

How to Mark Customer Messages as Unread in Team Inbox

How to add contact to Favorite?

How to add a tag to chat?

How to use quick replies/canned replies?

How to search and filter chats?

How to download chats from WATI?

What happens if someone you blocked messages you again?

WATI Account running Slow

Copy Conversation URL

Supported media types & sizes on WATI

Understanding Different Chat Statuses

Multi-channel Team Inbox

Phone number masking in Team Inbox

How to add custom parameters/attributes?

How to Start a New Chat in Wati

How to Transcribe Audio Messages (Beta)

Team Inbox

Export Chats from Wati

WATI and its Features

How to Contact WATI Customer Support Team

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Get started with WATI

How to add operators and create teams

WhatsApp account profile set-up

Introduction to Team Inbox

How to create a template message?

How to send a broadcast?

Overview

How to add contacts?

Create your first chatbot in WATI

Connect your number in WATI

Get Started with WATI in 10 steps

What is the difference between Whatsapp Business and WATI?

Get your own WATI custom Sub-domain

Creating click-to-chat link

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WhatsApp Chat Button Integration

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How To Import WhatsApp Chats

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Understanding WhatsApp Coexistence Embedded Signup: Common issues and how to resolve them

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