WhatsApp Bot Starter Template with Baileys – Build a WhatsApp Chatbot in Node.js
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, and building a bot for it can open up amazing opportunities — from customer support automation to personal assistants.
To make this easy, we’ve created a WhatsApp Bot Starter Template built on the Baileys library (an unofficial WhatsApp Web API for Node.js).
What is the WhatsApp Bot Starter Template?
Normally, building a WhatsApp bot requires using the official WhatsApp Business API, which involves approvals, webhooks, and setup complexity.
Baileys takes a different approach: it connects to WhatsApp Web using a QR code login.
That means:- No need for Facebook/Meta API approval
- Works with your normal WhatsApp account
- Super fast to prototype and test
Important note: Since Baileys is unofficial, it’s best for personal projects, learning, and prototypes — not for production-scale business bots.
How to Get Started (Easy Steps)
Follow these steps to run your bot in less than 10 minutes:
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Grab the template
git clone https://github.com/nexoslabs/bot-whatsapp-template.git cd bot-whatsapp-template
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Install everything it needs
npm install
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Run the bot locally
npm start
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Connect it to WhatsApp
Open WhatsApp → Linked Devices → Scan the QR code shown in your terminal.
Done! Now when you message your WhatsApp number, your bot will reply.
What Can You Build With It?
This template is just the starting point. You can extend it into:
- Chatbot assistant – greetings, FAQs, auto-replies
- E-commerce helper – share product info, order updates
- Scheduler/reminder bot – Help users schedule appointments
- AI Chatbot – Connect it to GPT to answer almost anything
- Feedback & Surveys – Collect feedback directly in WhatsApp
Because it’s Node.js, you can integrate with APIs, databases, or third-party services without limitations.
Best Practices & Limitations
Since Baileys is unofficial, keep these in mind:
- Don’t spam or use for bulk messaging (risk of account ban)
- Not recommended for production-scale business bots
- Always secure your code and handle errors gracefully
- Use it for learning, personal automation, or prototyping
If you need a commercial-grade solution, you’ll eventually want the official WhatsApp Business API.
Conclusion
The WhatsApp Bot Starter Template built with Baileys makes it incredibly easy to experiment with WhatsApp automation.
You don’t need approvals, webhooks, or complex setups — just clone, install, scan, and start coding your bot.
👉 Get the code here: GitHub Repository
👉 Watch the tutorials: Part 1 | Part 2
Start small, experiment, and have fun building your own WhatsApp chatbot 🚀