Make an External API call from a bot flow

The External API Call block lets your bot fetch or send data to any REST API mid-conversation. Use this to look up order status, check booking availability, retrieve customer data, or write to an external system — without leaving WhatsApp.

Set up the External API Call block

Go to Chatbot → Create Bot Flow and add your trigger.

Add any Ask a Question blocks needed to collect input from the user (for example, a booking ID or phone number).

Add a node → Automation App → External API Call.

Select the request method: GET for fetching data, POST for sending or creating.

Enter the API URL.

Add Headers as needed (e.g., Content-Type: application/json, Authorization: Bearer TOKEN).

For POST requests, set Body Type to JSON and enter the request body. Use {{{{variable_name}}}} to insert values from earlier bot questions.

Click Run to test the API call and see the response.

Click Save to confirm the block.

Map response fields to Bot Fields so you can use them in later messages.

Add a Send Message block that references the mapped fields to display results to the user.

Save and enable the workflow.

Using variables in the request body

Insert values collected earlier in the bot (from Ask a Question blocks) into your API request by wrapping the field name in double curly braces.

{
  "booking_id": "{{booking_id}}",
  "phone": "{{whatsapp_number}}"
}

Authentication

If your API requires authentication, add it as a header: Authorization with value Bearer YOUR_TOKEN. Never hardcode live credentials into a shared bot — use environment-specific tokens.

For a deeper guide to API integration including authentication patterns and error handling, see the External API Request step guide.

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Make an External API call from a bot flow

Set up the External API Call block

Make an API call from an automation

Pass data from bot to automation

Bot triggers explained