# Create a template

> Create a WhatsApp message template in Avox click by click: pick a category and type, name it, write the content with example values, submit it to Meta and track its review.

Source: https://docs.theavoxai.com/walkthrough/create-template

This walkthrough takes you through the **Create template** wizard, from a blank page to a
template Meta has approved and you can send. Templates are the messages you can send any time,
even outside WhatsApp's [24-hour window](https://docs.theavoxai.com/whatsapp/messaging-window). Every field and limit is
covered in full on [Create](https://docs.theavoxai.com/templates/create).

> **Note: Before you start**
>
> You need a WhatsApp number connected to Avox first: templates live in the WhatsApp Business
> Account behind it ([Connect WhatsApp](https://docs.theavoxai.com/walkthrough/connect-whatsapp)). Admins and Managers can
> create templates by default; an Admin can change that per member under
> [Permissions](https://docs.theavoxai.com/switchboard/members#permissions) ("Create and edit templates").

## Pick the right category

Meta reviews and prices templates by category, so choose the one that fits what the message
really is:

| Category | Use it for | Template types |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Marketing** | Promotions, offers and product news. | **Custom message**, **Catalogue** |
| **Utility** | Order updates, alerts and account notices. | **Custom message**, **Calling permission request** |
| **Authentication** | One-time passcodes for login or verification. | **One-time passcode** |

More detail and examples are on [Template categories](https://docs.theavoxai.com/whatsapp/template-categories).

## Step by step

**1. Open the wizard**

Click **Templates** in the sidebar, then **Create template** at the top of the page. The wizard
has three steps, **Type**, **Name** and **Content**, with a live phone preview on the right that
updates as you go. Once you've reached a step you can click its name to jump back.

**Template library** next to it opens every ready-written template, and **Back to Templates**
returns to the list at any time; your work is kept as a draft.

![The Templates page: the Templates used meter, the Docs, Template library and Create template buttons, and Avox library template cards](https://docs.theavoxai.com/screens/templates/list-light.webp)

*The Templates page. Create template opens the wizard; Template library opens the ready-written templates.*

**2. Type: start ready-made or write your own**

At the top, **Start from a ready-made template** offers a shortcut: click **Browse templates**,
pick one from the **Avox library** or **Meta's library** tab, and the wizard fills everything in
and moves on to **Name**. See [Start from a ready-made template](#start-from-a-ready-made-template)
below.

To write your own, under **Or write your own: select a category**, click **Marketing**,
**Utility** or **Authentication**. Hover a card to preview an example on the phone.

![Step 1 of the Create template wizard: the Start from a ready-made template banner, the Marketing, Utility and Authentication cards, and the phone preview](https://docs.theavoxai.com/screens/templates/create-type-light.webp)

*Step 1, Type. Browse ready-made templates, or pick a category.*

**3. Type: pick a template type**

Under **Pick a template type**, click the one you want. The wizard moves straight on to **Name**.

- **Custom message** (Marketing or Utility) - fully your own header, body, footer and buttons.
- **Catalogue** (Marketing) - links your product catalogue with a fixed "View catalog" button.
- **Calling permission request** (Utility) - asks permission before a WhatsApp voice call.
- For **Authentication**, the only type is **One-time passcode**: click **Continue** on its card.
  Meta writes the message itself; you configure how the code is delivered.

![The Type step with the Utility category selected and the Pick a template type cards below it: Custom message and Calling permission request](https://docs.theavoxai.com/screens/templates/create-category-light.webp)

*Utility selected. Click a template type to move on to Name.*

**4. Name: name it and pick a language**

Under **Name your template**, type a **Template name** using lowercase letters, numbers and
underscores, for example `order_update` (up to 512 characters). Then pick the **Language** Meta
reviews it in; the list is searchable.

If the name is already used in that language, Avox says "A template with that name already
exists in this language. Pick a different name." ([AVX-3400](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3400)) and offers
**Use ... instead** with a free name. Click **Next**.

The name and language can't change after you submit, so choose them carefully.

![Step 2 of the Create template wizard: the Name your template section with the Template name field and the Language picker](https://docs.theavoxai.com/screens/templates/create-name-light.webp)

*Step 2, Name. Lowercase letters, numbers and underscores only.*

**5. Content: header and message**

For a custom message:

1. **Type of variable** - **Number** for placeholders like `{{1}}`, or **Text (named)** for
   placeholders like `{{customer_name}}`.
2. **Header (optional)** - **None**, **Text** (up to 60 characters, with at most one variable),
   **Image**, **Video** or **Document**. For a media header, click **Upload sample image** (or
   video, or document): Meta reviews it against a real sample.
3. **Message body** - up to 1024 characters. Select text and use the style buttons (**Bold**,
   **Italic**, **Strikethrough**, **Monospace**), and click **Insert variable** to add a placeholder where the cursor is. With **Text (named)**, it
   inserts `{{variable_name}}` with the name selected, so you just type your own (lowercase
   letters, numbers and underscores).
4. **Example values - required by Meta for review** - fill in a realistic example for every
   placeholder, for example "Aditi" for `{{1}}`. These go to Meta's reviewers, never to customers.
5. **Footer (optional)** - a small grey line under the message, up to 60 characters.

![Step 3 of the Create template wizard: Type of variable, Header, Message body with example values, and the live phone preview](https://docs.theavoxai.com/screens/templates/create-content-light.webp)

*Step 3, Content. The phone shows the message with your example values.*

**6. Content: buttons (optional)**

Click **Add** next to **Buttons · Optional**, choose each button's **Type** and fill in its
fields:

- **Custom** - a quick reply the customer taps.
- **Visit website** - opens a **Website URL**. Its **URL type** is **Static** (the same link for
  everyone) or **Dynamic** (the link ends in a variable, such as a per-customer tracking link).
- **Call on WhatsApp** and **Call Phone Number** - start a call.
- **Copy offer code** - copies a coupon code.
- **Share contact info** - asks the customer to share their contact details. It's always the
  template's only button.

You can add up to 10 buttons. Each type's own limits are on
[Buttons](https://docs.theavoxai.com/templates/create#buttons). A **Visit website** button must point to your own
`https://` website, not the sample link ([AVX-3430](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3430)).

**7. Content: message validity period (optional)**

Leave **Message validity period (optional)** on **Standard (10 minutes)**, or pick another
period. If Meta can't deliver the message in that time, it isn't delivered and you aren't
charged. See [Message validity period](https://docs.theavoxai.com/templates/create#message-validity-period).

**8. Check the preview**

The phone on the right shows the message as your customer will see it, with your example values
filled in. The bar above the form sums up the name, language, category and type; **Start over**
there discards this draft and begins a new template.

**9. Submit to Meta**

Click **Submit to Meta**. You see "Submitted to Meta for review" and return to the Templates
page, where the template shows **Pending review** under **Your templates**.

**10. Wait for approval**

Meta reviews the template and Avox updates its status. Click **Refresh from Meta** to check
straight away. Once it shows **Approved**, you can send it from the [Inbox](https://docs.theavoxai.com/inbox), an
[automation](https://docs.theavoxai.com/automation/actions#send-a-template) or the API. If it shows **Rejected**, see [Approval](https://docs.theavoxai.com/templates/approval) for what to do next.

## Start from a ready-made template

**Browse templates** on the **Type** step (or **Template library** on the Templates page) offers
two libraries:

**Avox library** - Avox's own templates for order updates, reminders, codes and offers. Search,
filter by category, and click **Use this template**. The wizard fills in the name, language and
content; change anything you like, then **Submit to Meta** for review as usual. Some are written
in several languages: if you pick a language a template isn't written in, the wizard offers its
own languages instead ([AVX-3401](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3401)).

**Meta's library** - templates already verified by Meta, so they start working instantly with no
review wait. They're Utility only and the text is fixed. On the **Name** step you can switch
extras on, such as **Add a contact number** or **Add a track-package link**, then click **Start
using**. You see "Ready to use - already verified by Meta".

A ready-made template with an image, video or document header needs your own sample before you
submit ([AVX-3402](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3402)). Full details are on [Library](https://docs.theavoxai.com/templates/library).

## Authentication templates

For **One-time passcode**, the **Content** step asks how the code is delivered:

- **Code delivery setup** - **Zero-tap auto-fill** (sends the code automatically), **One-tap
  auto-fill** (sends when the customer taps the button) or **Copy code** (the customer copies and
  pastes it into your app).
- **App setup - up to 5 apps** (auto-fill only) - click **Add app** and enter each Android app's
  package name and its 11-character signature hash. Zero-tap also needs **I accept Meta's
  zero-tap terms** switched on.
- **Content** - Meta writes the message; switch on **Add security recommendation** and **Add
  expiry time for the code** (1 to 90 minutes) if you want them.

## Leaving and coming back

Your progress saves as a draft as you go. Close the tab any time and resume from the **Drafts**
section on the Templates page, which holds up to 10 drafts. If your internet connection drops,
your template stays on this device and you can submit it once you're back online.

## Tips

- **Write naturally.** A template that reads like a real message from your business, with the
  placeholders inside full sentences, is easier for Meta's reviewers to understand.
- **Give realistic examples.** Example values that look like real data ("Order 10432", not
  "test") help the review.
- **Match the category to the content.** A message with an offer in it is Marketing, even if it
  also confirms an order.
- **Use your own links.** Every website button must go to a working `https://` page of yours.
- **Check the limit.** The meter on the Templates page shows how many template slots your plan
  has used. See [Plans](https://docs.theavoxai.com/plans).

## Common mistakes

**The name is refused**

Use only lowercase letters, numbers and underscores: `order_update`, not `Order Update`. If the
name already exists in the same language, pick another or click **Use ... instead**
([AVX-3400](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3400)).

**A variable has no example value**

Under the message body you see "Add an example value for every variable" with the placeholder
that has none ([AVX-3404](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3404)). Fill in each box under **Example values -
required by Meta for review**. With **Number** variables, number them `{{1}}`, `{{2}}` in order
with no gaps. A text header's variable needs its own example too.

**A website button still uses a sample link**

A red notice reads "A website button still uses a sample link." Replace it with your own
working `https://` link before submitting ([AVX-3430](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3430)).

**The media header has no sample**

An image, video or document header needs a real sample file. Click **Upload sample ...** under
**Header** ([AVX-3402](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3402)).

**Meta didn't accept the template**

You see "Meta couldn't accept that template. Check its wording and try again."
([AVX-3016](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3016)). Check the body for unclear placeholders, the category, and
any links, then submit again. If it's **Rejected** after review, see
[Approval](https://docs.theavoxai.com/templates/approval).

**Create template is greyed out**

Every template slot on your plan is in use ([AVX-3014](https://docs.theavoxai.com/error-codes/avx-3014)). Click **Manage
templates**, open a template you no longer need with **Manage**, then click **Delete template** to free a
slot.

## Related