5: The example app

The phlo-demo-whatsapp repository is a single app that shows both directions and ships with no secrets.

5.1: What it does

• Send panels for text, image, poll and location, each one route calling one WhatsApp method.
• A status check that asks the gateway whether it is online.
• A /receive webhook that logs inbound messages into an Inbox.

Without credentials it is completely inert: the page says "Not configured", the buttons explain how to set it up, and the webhook returns 401. Add a data/creds.ini pointing at your own gateway and it goes live.

5.2: Running it for real

1. Run a Phlo WhatsApp gateway linked to your own number.
2. Copy data/creds.ini.example to data/creds.ini and fill in the gateway URL and secret.
3. Set the gateway's inbound webhook to https://your-host/receive with the same secret.

The repository is the reference for the shielding pattern: read its .gitignore and creds.ini.example before you build your own.

Last updated on 23 August 2026