n8n Integration

WhatsApp + n8n

A native n8n node, not an HTTP request. Pick an operation from a dropdown, map your fields, done. Every API endpoint is covered, plus a trigger for incoming messages.

$ npm i n8n-nodes-whatsapp-retentionstack

Set It Up (5 minutes)

1

Install the node

In n8n go to Settings → Community Nodes → Install and enter n8n-nodes-whatsapp-retentionstack. Self-hosting? Run npm i n8n-nodes-whatsapp-retentionstack inside ~/.n8n/nodes, then restart n8n.

2

Add your API key

Subscribe on RapidAPI (free plan, no credit card) and copy your X-RapidAPI-Key. In n8n, create a "WhatsApp by Retention Stack API" credential and paste it in.

3

Pair your phone once

Add the WhatsApp by Retention Stack node, pick Session → Start, then Session → Get QR Code with format Binary. Scan the PNG from WhatsApp → Linked Devices. Sessions stay connected after that.

4

Send a message

Set the node to Message → Send Text. Map Chat ID to the phone number from your trigger and write your text. Every other endpoint is in the same dropdown: images, files, OTPs, polls, groups, channels.

5

React to incoming messages

Add the WhatsApp by Retention Stack Trigger node and pick the events you want. It registers a webhook on your session when the workflow activates and removes it when you deactivate.

Example: Send an OTP

Message → Send Text, with fields mapped from a Webhook trigger:

Session:  default
Chat ID:  {{ $json.body.phone }}
Text:     Your login code is {{ $json.body.otp }}. Valid for 5 minutes.

What the Node Covers

Message
Send Text, Image, File, Video, Voice, Location, Contact, Poll · Reply · React · Star · Mark as Seen · Typing · Get Many
Session
Start, Stop, Logout, Get, Get Many, Get Me, Delete · QR Code (base64 or PNG) · Pairing Code · Presence
Group
Create, Join, Leave, Delete · Participants, Admins · Subject, Description, Picture · Invite codes · Admin-only settings
Channel
Create, Get, Get Many, Delete, Preview Messages
Contact
Check if a number is on WhatsApp
Trigger
message, message.any, message.ack, message.reaction, message.edited, message.revoked, group.join, group.leave, session.status

Operation names in the node picker match the names in the API docs, and each operation's tooltip shows its endpoint.

What People Build With This

Webhook → WhatsApp OTP for login and signup
Shopify order → WhatsApp shipping updates
Incoming WhatsApp message → AI agent → reply
Cron → WhatsApp reminders from Google Calendar

Package & Source

n8n-nodes-whatsapp-retentionstack on npm

MIT licensed. No runtime dependencies. Works on self-hosted n8n today.

Get Your API Key

Free tier, no credit card. Install the node, paste the key, and your first workflow is live in minutes.

Try Free on RapidAPI