muhammad-anas35 WhatsApp Watcher
Monitor WhatsApp Web for urgent messages containing specific keywords, automatically creating action files in the vault for immediate processing.
Overview
This skill uses Playwright to automate WhatsApp Web, monitoring for urgent messages that contain keywords like "urgent", "asap", "invoice", "payment", or "help". When detected, it creates action files for Claude to process.
Usage
# Start the WhatsApp watcher
python scripts/whatsapp_watcher.py
# Test mode (dry run)
python scripts/whatsapp_watcher.py --test
# Custom check interval (seconds)
python scripts/whatsapp_watcher.py --interval 30
What It Does
- Monitors WhatsApp Web using Playwright automation
- Scans unread chats for urgent keywords
- Creates action files in
/Needs_Action/WHATSAPP_*.md - Preserves session for continuous monitoring
- Logs all activity to
/Logs/whatsapp_watcher.log
Prerequisites
Install Playwright
# Install Playwright
pip install playwright
# Install browser binaries
playwright install chromium
First Run Setup
# First run will open WhatsApp Web for QR code scan
python scripts/whatsapp_watcher.py --setup
# Scan QR code with your phone
# Session will be saved for future runs
Configuration
Environment Variables
# .env file
WHATSAPP_SESSION_PATH=./whatsapp_session
VAULT_PATH=./AI_Employee_Vault
CHECK_INTERVAL=30 # seconds
HEADLESS=true # Run browser in background
Keyword Configuration
Default urgent keywords:
urgentasapinvoicepaymenthelpemergencycritical
Customize in whatsapp_watcher.py:
self.keywords = ['urgent', 'asap', 'invoice', 'payment', 'help', 'custom_keyword']
Action File Format
Created files follow this structure:
---
type: whatsapp
from: Contact Name
phone: +1234567890
received: 2026-03-12T20:26:00Z
priority: high
status: pending
keywords_matched: urgent, payment
---
# WhatsApp Message Received
## Message Content
[Message text content]
## Suggested Actions
- [ ] Reply to sender
- [ ] Process request
- [ ] Create invoice/payment
- [ ] Archive after handling
## Contact Details
- **From:** Contact Name
- **Phone:** +1234567890
- **Time:** 2026-03-12 20:26:00
- **Keywords:** urgent, payment
- **Priority:** high
## Notes
Add processing notes here.
Integration with Workflow
WhatsApp Message → WhatsApp Watcher → /Needs_Action/WHATSAPP_*.md
↓
Claude processes with /process-vault-tasks
↓
Creates plan or draft reply
↓
Requests approval if needed
↓
Human sends reply manually
↓
Marks as done, logs action
Features
Keyword Detection
- Scans message text for urgent keywords
- Case-insensitive matching
- Multiple keyword support
- Configurable keyword list
Session Persistence
- Saves WhatsApp Web session
- No need to scan QR code every time
- Persistent across restarts
- Secure local storage
Smart Filtering
- Only processes unread messages
- Ignores group messages (optional)
- Focuses on urgent communications
- Prevents duplicate processing
Error Handling
- Graceful handling of connection issues
- Auto-reconnect on session loss
- Continues monitoring after errors
- Detailed error logging
Security & Privacy
Session Management
- Session stored locally in
whatsapp_session/ - Never sync session to cloud
- Add to
.gitignore - Encrypted by Playwright
Privacy
- Messages stay local
- No external logging
- Full audit trail locally
- Read-only access to chats
WhatsApp Terms of Service
⚠️ Important: WhatsApp's Terms of Service prohibit automated access to WhatsApp Web. Use this tool:
- For personal use only
- At your own risk
- With awareness of potential account restrictions
- Consider official WhatsApp Business API for commercial use
Monitoring
Check Status
# View recent activity
tail -f AI_Employee_Vault/Logs/whatsapp_watcher.log
# Check created action files
ls -lt AI_Employee_Vault/Needs_Action/WHATSAPP_*.md
# View browser session
ls -la whatsapp_session/
Health Checks
The watcher logs heartbeat messages:
2026-03-12 20:26:00 - WhatsAppWatcher - INFO - Checking for urgent messages...
2026-03-12 20:26:02 - WhatsAppWatcher - INFO - Found 1 urgent message(s)
2026-03-12 20:26:02 - WhatsAppWatcher - INFO - Created WHATSAPP_client_urgent_1710275162.md
Troubleshooting
"Session expired" error
# Delete session and re-authenticate
rm -rf whatsapp_session/
python scripts/whatsapp_watcher.py --setup
"Browser not found" error
# Reinstall Playwright browsers
playwright install chromium
No messages detected
- Check keyword configuration
- Verify messages are unread
- Check WhatsApp Web is logged in
- Review logs for errors
High CPU usage
- Increase check interval
- Use headless mode
- Close unnecessary browser tabs
Advanced Usage
Custom Message Processing
Extend the watcher for custom logic:
def should_process_message(self, message_text, contact_name):
"""Custom filtering logic"""
# Only process from specific contacts
if contact_name not in ['Important Client', 'Boss']:
return False
# Check for specific patterns
if 'invoice' in message_text.lower():
return True
return False
Group Message Handling
# Enable group message monitoring
self.monitor_groups = True
# Filter specific groups
self.allowed_groups = ['Work Team', 'Client Group']
Integration with Reply System
# Chain with processing and reply
python scripts/whatsapp_watcher.py &
sleep 5
claude /process-vault-tasks
# Human reviews and sends reply manually
Performance
- Memory: ~200MB (Chromium browser)
- CPU: Low (only during checks)
- Network: Minimal (WhatsApp Web connection)
- Disk: ~100MB (browser session)
Limitations
- Requires active internet connection
- WhatsApp Web must stay logged in
- Cannot send messages (read-only)
- Manual reply required
- Subject to WhatsApp's rate limits
Dependencies
playwright==1.41.0
Alternative: WhatsApp Business API
For production use, consider:
- WhatsApp Business API
- Official API with send capabilities
- No automation restrictions
- Requires business verification
- Paid service
See Also
/process-vault-tasks- Process created action filesCompany_Handbook.md- WhatsApp handling rulesorchestrator.py- Automated schedulinggmail_watcher.py- Similar pattern for email