n8n Integration - GOWA - Go WhatsApp Web Multi-Device API

Overview

The n8n integration allows you to use WhatsApp in your n8n workflows through community nodes. This enables powerful automation scenarios combining WhatsApp with hundreds of other services.

n8n is a workflow automation tool that lets you connect apps and services together. Learn more at n8n.io.

Installation

Install via n8n Community Nodes

Open n8n Settings

Navigate to Settings in your n8n instance

Go to Community Nodes

Click on Community Nodes in the sidebar

Install Package

Enter @aldinokemal2104/n8n-nodes-gowa in the package name field and click Install

Wait for Installation

The installation may take a few moments. Once complete, the WhatsApp nodes will be available in your node palette

Package Information

Package Name: @aldinokemal2104/n8n-nodes-gowa
npm Registry: npmjs.com/package/@aldinokemal2104/n8n-nodes-gowa
Repository: Based on GOWA (Go WhatsApp Web API)

Prerequisites

WhatsApp REST API Running

You need a running instance of the Go WhatsApp Web Multidevice REST API server to use the n8n nodes.

Start WhatsApp API

./whatsapp rest --port=3000

Access http://localhost:3000 and scan the QR code to login

Note API URL

You’ll need the API URL (e.g., http://localhost:3000) for configuring n8n nodes

Configuration in n8n

Creating a Credential

In your n8n workflow, add a WhatsApp node
Click on Create New Credential
Configure the credential with:
- API URL: Your WhatsApp REST API URL (e.g., http://localhost:3000)
- Authentication (if enabled):
  - Username and password from APP_BASIC_AUTH
- Device ID (if using multi-device setup):
  - The device ID you want to use for this workflow

Credential Example

{
  "apiUrl": "http://localhost:3000",
  "username": "admin",
  "password": "secret",
  "deviceId": "my-device-id"
}

Available Nodes

The n8n package provides nodes that mirror the REST API capabilities:

Message Nodes

Send Text Message

Send text messages to contacts or groups

Send Image

Send images with optional captions

Send Video

Send video files with captions

Send Document

Send document files

Send Audio

Send audio messages

Send Sticker

Send stickers (auto-converts to WebP)

Send Contact

Share contact cards

Send Location

Share location coordinates

Query Nodes

Get Chat Messages

Fetch messages from a specific chat

List Chats

Get all chats with pagination

List Contacts

Retrieve all contacts

Get User Info

Get information about a user

Group Nodes

Create Group

Create new WhatsApp groups

Manage Participants

Add, remove, promote, or demote members

Get Group Info

Fetch group details

Set Group Settings

Update group name, topic, or settings

Workflow Examples

Example 1: Send Welcome Message

Create a workflow that sends a welcome message when a new contact is added:

Trigger Node

Use a Webhook node to receive new contact notifications

WhatsApp Node

Add a WhatsApp - Send Text Message nodeConfigure:

Phone: {{$json.phone}}
Message: Welcome! Thanks for connecting with us.

Example 2: Customer Support Automation

Automate customer support responses:

Webhook Trigger

Configure WhatsApp webhook to send message events to n8n

Filter Messages

Use an IF node to check message content

Send Response

Add WhatsApp - Send Text Message node with appropriate response

Create Ticket (Optional)

If needed, create a ticket in your support system

Example 3: Daily Report Distribution

Send daily reports to a WhatsApp group:

Schedule Trigger

Use Cron node to trigger daily at specific time

Generate Report

Use HTTP Request or Database nodes to fetch data

Format Message

Use Set node to format the report text

Send to Group

Use WhatsApp - Send Text Message nodeConfigure:

Phone: [email protected] (group JID)
Message: {{$json.report}}

Example 4: Media Backup

Automatically backup received media files:

Webhook Trigger

Receive message events from WhatsApp

Filter Media Messages

Use IF node to check if message contains media

Download Media

Use WhatsApp - Download Media node

Upload to Cloud

Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or S3 node to store the file

Common Use Cases

E-commerce Order Notifications

Trigger: New order in your e-commerce platform
Action: Send order confirmation via WhatsApp
Includes: Order details, tracking link, estimated delivery

Appointment Reminders

Trigger: Scheduled time (24 hours before appointment)
Action: Send reminder message
Includes: Appointment details, location, cancellation link

Alert Notifications

Trigger: System monitoring alerts
Action: Send alert to operations group
Includes: Alert severity, affected service, action required

Content Distribution

Trigger: New blog post or content published
Action: Send notification to subscribers
Includes: Title, summary, link to content

Survey Distribution

Trigger: Customer interaction completed
Action: Send survey link
Follow-up: Thank you message after completion

Best Practices

Error Handling

Always add error handling nodes to your workflows to manage failed WhatsApp API calls gracefully

Rate Limiting

Implement delays between messages to avoid hitting WhatsApp rate limits

Device Status Check

Check device connection status before sending messages in critical workflows

Use Variables

Store frequently used values (API URL, group IDs) as workflow variables

Test Mode

Use test phone numbers or groups when developing workflows

Logging

Log message sending attempts for debugging and audit purposes

Advanced Configuration

Multi-Device Setup

When using multiple WhatsApp devices:

{
  "credentials": {
    "deviceId": "support-device"
  }
}

Or use workflow variables:

// In Function node
const deviceId = $env.WHATSAPP_DEVICE_ID || 'default-device';
return { deviceId };

Webhook Integration

Configure WhatsApp to send events to n8n:

Start n8n workflow with Webhook trigger
Copy webhook URL from n8n

Configure WhatsApp API:

WHATSAPP_WEBHOOK=https://your-n8n.com/webhook/whatsapp

Dynamic Message Templates

Use n8n expressions for dynamic content:

// Template message
Hello {{$json.customer.name}},

Your order #{{$json.order.id}} has been confirmed.

Total: ${{$json.order.total}}
Expected delivery: {{$json.order.delivery_date}}

Thank you for your purchase!

Troubleshooting

Connection Errors

Problem: Cannot connect to WhatsApp APISolutions:

Verify API URL is correct and accessible from n8n
Check if WhatsApp API server is running
Verify firewall rules allow connection
Test API endpoint with curl first

Authentication Failed

Problem: 401 Unauthorized errorsSolutions:

Check username and password match APP_BASIC_AUTH
Verify credentials are saved in n8n
Test credentials with direct API call

Messages Not Sending

Problem: Workflow runs but messages don’t sendSolutions:

Check device is logged in: GET /app/status
Verify phone number format (include country code)
Check n8n execution logs for API response
Verify device ID if using multi-device setup

Media Upload Issues

Problem: Cannot send images or filesSolutions:

Verify file URL is publicly accessible
Check file size limits
Ensure file format is supported
Test with local file first

Resources

npm Package

View the official npm package page

n8n Documentation

Learn more about n8n workflows

WhatsApp API Reference

Complete REST API documentation

Community Nodes

Learn about n8n community nodes

Support

For issues specific to the n8n integration:

Check the npm package for updates
Review n8n execution logs for detailed error messages
Verify your WhatsApp REST API is working correctly
Test API endpoints directly before using in n8n

For WhatsApp API issues, refer to the main documentation and API reference.

Get Started

Core Concepts

Guides

Integrations

Deployment

​Overview

​Installation

​Install via n8n Community Nodes

​Package Information

​Prerequisites

WhatsApp REST API Running

​Configuration in n8n

​Creating a Credential

​Credential Example

​Available Nodes

​Message Nodes

Send Text Message

Send Image

Send Video

Send Document

Send Audio

Send Sticker

Send Contact

Send Location

​Query Nodes

Get Chat Messages

List Chats

List Contacts

Get User Info

​Group Nodes

Create Group

Manage Participants

Get Group Info

Set Group Settings

​Workflow Examples

​Example 1: Send Welcome Message

​Example 2: Customer Support Automation

​Example 3: Daily Report Distribution

​Example 4: Media Backup

​Common Use Cases

​Best Practices

Error Handling

Rate Limiting

Device Status Check

Use Variables

Test Mode

Logging

​Advanced Configuration

​Multi-Device Setup

​Webhook Integration

​Dynamic Message Templates

​Troubleshooting

​Resources

npm Package

n8n Documentation

WhatsApp API Reference

Community Nodes

​Support

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

Installation

Install via n8n Community Nodes

Package Information

Prerequisites

Configuration in n8n

Creating a Credential

Credential Example

Available Nodes

Message Nodes

Query Nodes

Group Nodes

Workflow Examples

Example 1: Send Welcome Message

Example 2: Customer Support Automation

Example 3: Daily Report Distribution

Example 4: Media Backup

Common Use Cases

Best Practices

Advanced Configuration

Multi-Device Setup

Webhook Integration

Dynamic Message Templates

Troubleshooting

Resources

Support