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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.whatsengine.net/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Quick Diagnostics

Having issues with WhatsEngine? Use this quick checklist to identify and resolve common problems.
Test these basics first:
  1. Send list command - do you get a response?
  2. Create a simple task: today-15:30 test task
  3. Check if you received a confirmation with task ID
  4. Try completing the task: done [ID]
  5. Verify completion message
If any step fails, continue to specific troubleshooting sections below.

Message Not Being Received

WhatsApp Integration Issues

Symptoms: You send messages but get no response from WhatsEngineSolutions:
1

Check Phone Number

Verify you’re registered with the correct WhatsApp number:
  • Must include country code (+1, +44, etc.)
  • Check dashboard profile settings
  • Ensure number matches exactly
2

Verify Bot Number

Ensure you’re sending TO the correct bot number:
  • Check the bot number in your dashboard
  • Save it as a contact for easy access
  • Test with a simple “hello” message first
3

Test Webhook Connection

# Test your webhook endpoint directly
curl -X POST "https://yourdomain.com/api/whatsapp-webhook?secret=YOUR_SECRET" \
  -d "type=whatsapp&data[phone]=+1234567890&data[message]=test"

Message Parsing Problems

Format Recognition Issues

Problem: Messages like today 3:30 PM call client create no taskSolution: Use 24-hour format with hyphen
❌ Wrong formats:
today 3:30 PM call client
today at 15:30 call client  
today/15:30 call client

✅ Correct formats:
today-15:30 call client
today-1530 call client
today-15.30 call client
Problem: Custom date formats not workingSolution: Use supported date formats
❌ Wrong formats:
Dec 25 15:30 call client
12/25/2024-15:30 call client
25-12-2024-15:30 call client

✅ Correct formats:
today-15:30 call client
tomorrow-15:30 call client  
2024-12-25-15:30 call client
Problem: Very short task descriptions get rejectedExample:
❌ Rejected: "today-15:30 call"
❌ Rejected: "today-15:30 go" 

✅ Accepted: "today-15:30 call client"
✅ Accepted: "today-15:30 go to meeting"
Rule: Task text must be at least 3 characters after cleaning common words

Natural Language Issues

Problem: Times appearing wrong in confirmationsDebug Steps:
  1. Check your timezone setting in dashboard
  2. Verify it matches your actual location
  3. Test with a simple message and check the confirmation time
Example:
User timezone: UTC+5
Message: "today-15:30 call client"  
Expected confirmation: "Task scheduled for today at 3:30 PM"

If you see different time, update timezone setting

Team Assignment Problems

Team Member Not Found

Problem: @john today-15:30 meeting creates personal task insteadDebugging:
1. Check team member exists:
   - Go to dashboard → Team
   - Verify "john" is listed as slug
   - Ensure member is active

2. Test exact match:
   - Use exact slug from dashboard
   - Check for typos or extra spaces
   - Try without @ symbol: "john today-15:30 meeting"
Common Issues:
  • Slug mismatch: Dashboard shows “john_doe” but you use “john”
  • Inactive member: Team member disabled in settings
  • Case sensitivity: “John” vs “john” (should work both ways)
Problem: #developers today-16:00 meeting creates personal taskDebugging:
1. Verify tag exists:
   - Dashboard → Team → Tags
   - Check exact tag name
   - Ensure tag has team members assigned

2. Check team member assignments:
   - Each team member should have tag_ids set
   - At least one member must have this tag
   - Members with tag must be active
Setup Example:
Tag: {"id": 1, "name": "developers"}

Team Members:
- alice: {"tag_ids": [1]} ✅
- bob: {"tag_ids": [2]}   ❌ (wrong tag)
- charlie: {"tag_ids": [1], "is_active": false} ❌ (inactive)

Assignment Setup Issues

Check team_members table:
SELECT id, name, slug, phone, is_active, tag_ids 
FROM team_members 
WHERE user_id = 'your-user-id';
Required fields:
  • name: Display name
  • slug: Unique identifier (lowercase, no spaces)
  • is_active: Must be true
  • user_id: Your user ID

Reminder System Issues

Not Receiving Reminders

Problem: Tasks created but no reminder messages receivedCauses:
  1. Future scheduling: Task scheduled for future, reminders come at scheduled time
  2. WhatsApp API issues: Check API credentials and quota
  3. Phone number problems: Incorrect or unregistered WhatsApp number
  4. Processing function stopped: Background reminder system not running
Debug Steps:
-- Check if reminders are being logged
SELECT * FROM notification_history 
WHERE message_type = 'reminder' 
AND user_id = 'your-user-id'
ORDER BY sent_at DESC;

-- Check task scheduling
SELECT id, task_text, target_datetime, identifier
FROM tasks
WHERE user_id = 'your-user-id'
AND target_datetime <= NOW();
Problem: Get first reminder but no follow-upsExpected Behavior:
  • First reminder at scheduled time
  • Follow-up every 30 minutes until completion
  • Task stays in tasks table until done
Check:
-- Task should still exist and have updated target_datetime
SELECT task_text, target_datetime, identifier
FROM tasks  
WHERE identifier = 'your-task-id';

-- Should show multiple reminders
SELECT COUNT(*) as reminder_count
FROM notification_history
WHERE related_task_id IN (
  SELECT id FROM tasks WHERE identifier = 'your-task-id'
);

Reminder Timing Issues

Problem: Reminders at wrong local timeSolution:
  1. Update timezone in user profile
  2. Use numeric offset format: “+5”, “-8”
  3. Test with a near-future task
Example:
Your location: New York (UTC-5)
Message: "today-15:30 test reminder"
Expected: Reminder at 3:30 PM New York time

Task Completion Issues

”Done” Command Not Working

Problem: done 1 returns “Task not found”Debug Steps:
1. Check active tasks:
   Send: "list"
   Look for task with ID 1

2. Verify task ID format:  
   Use exact ID from confirmation message
   ❌ "done #1" or "done task 1"
   ✅ "done 1"

3. Check if already completed:
   Task might have been completed already
   Check dashboard completed tasks
Problem: Send done 1 but task still sends remindersCauses:
  • Database transaction failed
  • Task not moved to finished_task table
  • Processing error during completion
Check:
-- Task should be removed from tasks table
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM tasks WHERE identifier = 1;

-- Task should appear in finished_task table  
SELECT * FROM finished_task WHERE identifier = 1;

Performance & Reliability

Message Processing Delays

Symptoms: Long delays between message and confirmationOptimization:
  • Send one message at a time
  • Avoid very long task descriptions
  • Use simple time formats
  • Check internet connection stability

Database Synchronization

Problem: Dashboard shows different data than WhatsApp responsesSolutions:
  1. Refresh dashboard: Hard refresh (Ctrl+F5)
  2. Check sync status: Look for sync indicators in dashboard
  3. Force sync: Log out and back in to dashboard
  4. Clear cache: Clear browser cache and cookies
Problem: Recently created tasks don’t appear in dashboardDebug:
  • Check if task creation was confirmed via WhatsApp
  • Wait 30 seconds and refresh dashboard
  • Check browser network tab for API errors
  • Verify you’re logged into correct account

Getting Help

Self-Service Tools

System Status

Check status.whatsengine.com for service health

Test Webhook

Use built-in webhook tester in dashboard settings

Export Logs

Download recent activity logs for debugging

Reset Integration

Reset WhatsApp integration from settings

When to Contact Support

Contact support immediately for:
  • Data loss or corruption
  • Security concerns
  • Billing issues
  • Service outages lasting > 15 minutes
Include in support requests:
  • Exact error messages
  • Screenshots of issues
  • Phone number and account email
  • Steps to reproduce the problem
  • Recent message examples that failed

Support Channels

support@whatsengine.comResponse times:
  • Free plan: 48 hours
  • Pro plan: 24 hours
  • Business plan: 4 hours

Before Contacting Support

1

Try Basic Troubleshooting

  • Complete the quick health check at top of this page
  • Check system status page
  • Review recent changes to your setup
2

Gather Information

  • Note exact error messages
  • Save screenshots of issues
  • Record steps that reproduce the problem
  • Check recent webhook logs
3

Test Isolation

  • Try with a different phone number
  • Test simple messages vs complex ones
  • Check if issue affects all features or just specific ones

Common Solutions Summary

When nothing works, try this sequence:
  1. Log out and back into dashboard
  2. Verify phone number in profile settings
  3. Test with simple message: today-15:30 test
  4. Check webhook URL and secret
  5. Clear browser cache
  6. Try from different device/browser
Always use these formats:
✅ Personal: "today-15:30 call client"
✅ Team: "@john today-15:30 meeting" 
✅ Group: "#team today-15:30 standup"
✅ List: "list" or "list today"
✅ Complete: "done 1"
  1. Check status.whatsengine.com
  2. Try the webhook test tool in dashboard
  3. Contact support with detailed information
  4. Join community forum for peer help