git:20260508.3a56241 to git:20260509.51ee7e5

---

name: whatsapp

---

# WhatsApp

Use this as the first stop for WhatsApp work. Keep the source boundary sharp:

- `wacrawl`: primary WhatsApp Desktop archive. Read-only, best local history, no network, no sending.

- `wacli`: linked-device accounts. Use for alt accounts, live sync, auth, sending, chat/group mutation, and WhatsApp Web protocol questions.

If the user names `wacrawl` or `wacli` repo work specifically, read that tool's own skill too.

## Routing

- Primary WhatsApp reads/search/history: use `wacrawl`.

- Read/unread counts from WhatsApp Desktop: use `wacrawl`; it has chat-level unread counts, not per-message read state.

- Freshness-sensitive primary reads: check `wacrawl status`; run `wacrawl sync` when asked or when current data matters.

- Alt accounts such as `me`, `molty`, or named stores: use `wacli --account NAME`.

- Sending, reactions, presence, archive/pin/mute/mark-read, group/channel mutations: use `wacli` only after explicit user intent.

- Comparing coverage between sources: treat `wacrawl` as Desktop archive truth for primary history, and `wacli` as linked-device/live coverage with protocol limits.

## Safety

- Never send or mutate WhatsApp state unless explicitly requested.

- Prefer read-only `wacli` commands for inspection: pass `--read-only` or set `WACLI_READONLY=1`.

- Do not write into WhatsApp Desktop's app container.

- Do not edit `wacli` `session.db` directly.

- Keep named `wacli` accounts isolated; do not merge stores.

- Report source freshness, account name, and known gaps when answering from local stores.

## Common Commands

### Primary Archive

Freshness and status:

```bash

wacrawl status

wacrawl doctor

wacrawl sync

```

Unread triage:

```bash

wacrawl chats --limit 20

wacrawl unread --limit 20

wacrawl --json unread --limit 100

```

Search and slice messages:

```bash

wacrawl messages --after 2026-01-01 --limit 50

wacrawl messages --chat JID --asc --limit 100

wacrawl messages --has-media --limit 50

wacrawl --json search "query"

wacrawl search "query" --after 2026-01-01 --from-them

```

Archive media or backups, only when asked:

```bash

wacrawl import --copy-media

wacrawl backup status

wacrawl --sync never backup push

```

### Alt/Live Accounts

Account discovery and read-only inspection:

```bash

wacli accounts list --json

wacli --account me auth status --read-only --json

wacli --account me chats list --read-only --json

wacli --account me messages list --read-only --json --limit 50

wacli --account me messages search --read-only --json "query"

```

Background live sync, only when requested. Prefer `tmux` for follow-mode:

```bash

wacli --account me sync --follow --events

wacli --account me sync --once --events

```

Media, sending, and live mutations, only when explicitly requested:

```bash

wacli --account me media download --chat JID --id MESSAGE_ID

wacli --account me send text --to JID_OR_NAME --message "message"

wacli --account me send file --to JID_OR_NAME --file ./file.jpg --caption "caption"

wacli --account me send text --to JID --reply-to MESSAGE_ID --message "reply"

```

### Comparisons

When comparing `wacrawl` and `wacli`, compare both counts and overlap:

- message counts and date spans

- chat counts

- newest message timestamp

- overlap by `msg_id`

- overlap by `chat_jid + msg_id` when JIDs are normalized enough

- obvious gaps explained by linked-device history limits vs Desktop archive coverage

## Repo Pointers

- `~/Projects/wacrawl`: Desktop archive importer/search/backup.

- `~/Projects/wacli`: linked-device client/sync/send.

- Global skill copies: `~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/wacrawl` and `~/Projects/agent-scripts/skills/wacli`.