> ## 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

> Create, list and submit WhatsApp message templates via the Zavu Ruby SDK. Manage variables, categories and approval status from your code.

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

```ruby 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"]
)

puts result.id     # tpl_xxx
puts result.status # draft, pending, approved, rejected
```

## List Templates

```ruby theme={null}
result = client.templates.list

result.items.each do |template|
  puts "#{template.id} #{template.name} #{template.status}"
end

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

## Get Template

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

puts result.name
puts result.body
puts result.status
```

## Delete Template

```ruby 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:

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

puts 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

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