> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zavu.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates

> Manage templates with the Python SDK

Templates are reusable message formats for sending structured messages across WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram, and other channels. WhatsApp requires template approval for business-initiated conversations.

## Create Template

```python theme={null}
result = client.templates.create(
    name="order_confirmation",
    language="en",
    body="Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} is confirmed!",
    whatsapp_category="UTILITY",
    variables=["customer_name", "order_id"]
)

print(result.id)      # tpl_xxx
print(result.status)  # draft, pending, approved, rejected
```

## List Templates

```python theme={null}
result = client.templates.list()
for template in result.items:
    print(template.id, template.name, template.status)

# With pagination
result = client.templates.list(
    limit=50,
    cursor="cursor_xxx"
)
```

## Get Template

```python theme={null}
result = client.templates.get(template_id="tpl_abc123")

print(result.name)
print(result.body)
print(result.status)
```

## Delete Template

```python theme={null}
client.templates.delete(template_id="tpl_abc123")
```

## Submit Template for Approval

After creating a template, you need to submit it to Meta for approval before you can use it:

```python theme={null}
result = client.templates.submit(
    template_id="tpl_abc123",
    sender_id="sender_xyz",
    category="UTILITY"  # Optional if already set on template
)

print(result.status)  # "pending"
```

<Info>
  The `sender_id` must reference a sender that has a WhatsApp Business Account configured. Templates are submitted to the WABA associated with that sender.
</Info>

## Template Categories

| Category         | Use Case                                             |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `UTILITY`        | Order updates, account alerts, appointment reminders |
| `MARKETING`      | Promotions, offers, newsletters                      |
| `AUTHENTICATION` | OTP codes, verification messages                     |

## Using Templates in Messages

```python theme={null}
result = client.messages.send(
    to="+14155551234",
    message_type="template",
    content={
        "template_id": "tpl_abc123",
        "template_variables": {
            "1": "John",
            "2": "ORD-12345"
        }
    }
)
```