Bot Flows
Bot Flows automate WhatsApp conversations with scripted steps (messages, menus, assignments, and more). Build and manage them in Settings → Bot Flows or Automations → WhatsApp on app.kazenly.com.
These are bot automations. They are not Meta WhatsApp Flows (forms under Broadcasts → Flows).
Open Bot Flows
Settings → Bot Flows (under Agent tools)
Page heading: Bot Flows
Lead line: Manage automated conversation flows
Or use the sidebar: Automations → WhatsApp — same capabilities with a modern layout. The Automations page notes that classic editing also lives under Settings → Bot Flows.
Flow Management Tab
The main list shows your flows with search and pagination.
| Action | Button |
|---|---|
| Create a new flow | Create Bot Flow |
| View flow metrics | Analytics |
| Edit an existing flow | Row actions (edit / view diagram) |
| Delete a flow | Delete control with confirmation |
Saving a flow uses Create Flow or Update Flow in the flow editor.
Each flow can include Escalation Settings (keyword triggers, timeout escalation, escalation message) — see Escalation Keywords.
Default Bot Flow tab
Switch to Default Bot Flow to choose which bot flow runs when a new WhatsApp customer messages you and no keyword flow matches.
Default Flow Configuration includes:
- Select an active flow from the dropdown
- Toggle whether the default flow is active
- Fallback message when no flow applies
- Context variables for templated steps
- Test against a WhatsApp number (operator test tools)
Save changes from the default-flow form when you adjust startup behaviour.
Global Escalation Strip
At the top of Bot Flows you may see Global Escalation System / Escalation with status Cannot be disabled (MVP). Escalation keywords apply across flows — see Escalation Keywords.
Send WhatsApp Flow step
In the bot flow editor, a step type Send WhatsApp Flow sends a published WhatsApp Flow after the customer has written, then waits for the submitted answers before the next bot step. Choose a published Flow in the step. Use a template Flow button for campaign messages.
Save answers to contact
Under Save answers to contact, map each Flow answer to a Contact field (or — skip —). Leave blank (— skip —) to skip persist for that answer.
When you choose + Create new field…, a New contact field panel opens (Forms detail and bot Send WhatsApp Flow use the same picker):
- Name (required) — prefilled from a readable form of the answer label; edit freely. Error: Name is required
- Key — starts from the name as a slug; edit anytime. Hint: Lowercase letters, numbers, underscore · max 64. Errors include Key is required, Key must be at most 64 characters, Key must use only lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores, A contact field with this key already exists
- Type — text (fixed for this create path)
- Sensitive — optional checkbox
- Create field (Creating…) saves the field; Cancel closes without creating anything. The field is created only when you confirm — not automatically from the Meta answer name.
Same create picker on Forms detail — WhatsApp Flows.
Answer variables
Under Preview, an Answer variables panel lists fields from Flows in this bot ({{FieldName}} and choice option ids). The panel starts collapsed — tap the header to expand (a field count shows when folded). Tap a variable to copy it into a Message or Condition step.
Condition after a Flow
When a Condition step follows Send WhatsApp Flow:
- Variable Name is a dropdown of that Flow’s answer fields (no free-form custom name).
- For choice fields, Expected Values can be multi-select. Match is Any value (OR) or All values (AND).
- Free-text fields keep a text expected value (you can still list multiple values with Any/All).
Next Step (If True/False) must use step ids such as step_4, not the display name. Add an End after the true path when the branch should stop.
Set Contact Field step
Set Contact Field writes a value onto the contact during the bot run. Choose Contact field, then Value (literal text or a variable from earlier steps). Define fields under Contact Fields.
Send to Webhook step
Send to Webhook POSTs selected fields to an HTTPS Webhook integration, then continues without waiting for a reply. Expand Data leaves Kazenly for the consent warning. Configure destination, Send full context or Fields to include, and optional Static custom fields. Full guide: Send to Webhook. Create the destination under Integrations.
Assign Agent step
Assign Agent is a terminal handoff (no further edges on the Flow map).
Message when assigned
Checkbox: Send message on WhatsApp when assigned (on by default for existing flows).
- When on, choose Notify type:
- Text message — optional Assignment Message (supports
{{agent_name}},{{agent_email}}) - Utility template — pick an approved Utility template and fill parameters
- Continue on Web (mint chat link) — mints a hosted Web Chat and can send the link (same idea as Inbox Continue on Web)
- Text message — optional Assignment Message (supports
- When off: Agent is assigned silently — no WhatsApp reply. Inbox and WebSocket updates still run.
Notify types run only after an agent is successfully assigned.
No agent available
Checkbox: Send message on WhatsApp when no agent is available (on by default). Turn it off to skip the customer WhatsApp reply when the queue/continue path runs without an agent. Queue behaviour still works.
Flow map
In the Automations creator (and read-only View), the Flow map shows step connections. Expand opens a large centered map (Collapse or Esc to return). Condition true / false branches lay out in separate columns so paths do not overlap. Assign Agent is a terminal handoff (no further edges).
WhatsApp Must Be Connected
Live bot traffic requires a connected WhatsApp channel (Settings → WhatsApp). You can still draft flows without Connect, but customers will not receive automated steps until Embedded Signup is complete.
Related Articles
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Bot Flow with WhatsApp Flow and Branching — journey (G9)
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Build Your First Bot Flow — journey (G8)
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Contact Fields (15.8)
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Send to Webhook (11.2c)
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Integrations (15.3)
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WhatsApp Flows — Meta forms, not bot automations
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Sidebar Automations (10.7)
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Start a Bot Flow from a Chat (10.2)
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Escalation Keywords (10.4)