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wacli

Third-party WhatsApp CLI for message sync, search, and sending

Homepage Repository
Productivity System & Monitoring linuxmacoswindows Go MIT

Description

wacli is a command-line interface for WhatsApp built on the whatsmeow library using the WhatsApp Web protocol. It provides best-effort local message sync with continuous capture, fast offline search across synced messages, text and file sending, and contact/group management. Not affiliated with WhatsApp.

Install

homebrewbrew install steipete/tap/wacli
sourcego build -tags sqlite_fts5 -o ./dist/wacli ./cmd/wacli

AI Summary

Third-party WhatsApp CLI using the Web protocol for local message synchronization, offline full-text search, text/file sending, and group management. Stores data locally with JSON output for scripting.

Capabilities

  • + Authenticate via interactive QR code display and initial sync
  • + Continuous message synchronization loop with local SQLite storage
  • + Fast offline full-text search across all synced messages
  • + History backfill to retrieve older messages from the primary device
  • + Send text messages and files with optional captions
  • + List and manage groups
  • + JSON output mode for scripting and agent integration
  • + Diagnostic doctor command for troubleshooting

Use When

  • → An AI agent or script needs to send or read WhatsApp messages
  • → Searching through WhatsApp message history from the terminal
  • → Archiving WhatsApp conversations locally for backup or analysis
  • → Automating WhatsApp notifications from scripts or CI pipelines

Avoid When

  • x The primary WhatsApp device is offline (needed for backfill)
  • x WhatsApp's Terms of Service prohibit your use case
  • x You need real-time message streaming (sync is best-effort)
  • x Working with iMessage or other non-WhatsApp services

Usage Patterns

Authenticate and initial sync

wacli auth

Displays QR code for linking, then performs initial message sync

Continuous sync

wacli sync --follow

Runs a continuous sync loop capturing new messages

Search messages

wacli messages search "meeting tomorrow" --json

Searches synced messages for the given query

Send a text message

wacli send text --to "+1234567890" --body "Hello!"

Sends a text message to the specified number

Send a file

wacli send file --to "+1234567890" --path ./document.pdf --caption "Here you go"

Sends a file with an optional caption

List groups

wacli groups list --json

Lists all WhatsApp groups in JSON format

Input / Output

stdin: Not typically used
stdout: Human-readable text or JSON (with --json flag)
stderr: Status and error messages
Exit codes:
0 Success
1 Error

Typical Pipelines

wacli messages search "project update" --json | jq ".[].body"
wacli groups list --json | jq '.[].name'

Related Tools

imsg alternative

imsg provides similar messaging CLI capabilities for Apple iMessage
View AGENTS.md for wacli