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Overview

Chatwoot integration enables multi-channel communication with patients through WhatsApp, SMS, and Email from a single platform. It also provides a unified inbox for managing patient responses.
Chatwoot is optional but recommended for practices wanting multi-channel messaging and team collaboration features.

Benefits

Multi-Channel

Send messages via WhatsApp, SMS, and Email

Unified Inbox

All patient responses in one place

Team Collaboration

Assign conversations to team members

Message History

Complete conversation history per patient

Prerequisites

Before connecting Chatwoot, you need:
  • Chatwoot account (self-hosted or Chatwoot Cloud)
  • Chatwoot API key with agent permissions
  • Channels configured in Chatwoot:
    • WhatsApp (via Twilio, 360Dialog, or WhatsApp Cloud)
    • SMS (via Twilio)
    • Email (via SMTP)

Setup Guide

1

Set up Chatwoot Account

If you don’t have a Chatwoot account:
  1. Sign up at chatwoot.com
  2. Choose between:
    • Chatwoot Cloud (recommended for ease of use)
    • Self-hosted (for full control)
  3. Complete account setup
2

Configure Messaging Channels

In Chatwoot, set up your desired channels:

WhatsApp

  1. Go to SettingsInboxesAdd Inbox
  2. Select WhatsApp
  3. Choose provider (Twilio, 360Dialog, or WhatsApp Cloud)
  4. Follow provider-specific setup instructions
  5. Note your inbox identifier

SMS (via Twilio)

  1. Go to SettingsInboxesAdd Inbox
  2. Select Twilio SMS
  3. Enter Twilio credentials
  4. Configure phone number
  5. Note your inbox identifier

Email

  1. Go to SettingsInboxesAdd Inbox
  2. Select Email
  3. Configure SMTP settings
  4. Set forward-to email address
  5. Note your inbox identifier
3

Get Chatwoot API Credentials

  1. Log in to your Chatwoot account
  2. Click your profile picture → Profile Settings
  3. Navigate to Access Token
  4. Click Create New Token
  5. Give it a name: Routiq Integration
  6. Copy the Account ID (visible in URL: app.chatwoot.com/app/accounts/YOUR_ID)
  7. Copy the Access Token
Store your access token securely. Chatwoot only shows it once.
4

Connect in Routiq

  1. Log in to Routiq
  2. Navigate to SettingsIntegrationsChatwoot
  3. Enter your Chatwoot Account ID
  4. Paste your API Access Token
  5. Enter your Chatwoot instance URL (e.g., https://app.chatwoot.com or your self-hosted URL)
  6. Click Connect
Routiq will validate the connection and fetch your available inboxes.
5

Map Chatwoot Inboxes

After connecting, map Chatwoot inboxes to message types:
  1. WhatsApp Inbox: Select your WhatsApp inbox ID
  2. SMS Inbox: Select your SMS inbox ID (if different)
  3. Email Inbox: Select your Email inbox ID
You can use the same inbox for multiple channels if it supports multi-channel.
6

Test the Connection

Send a test message:
  1. Go to SettingsIntegrationsChatwoot
  2. Click Send Test Message
  3. Enter a test phone number/email
  4. Select channel (WhatsApp, SMS, or Email)
  5. Click Send
Check your Chatwoot inbox to verify the message appears.
Your Chatwoot integration is now active!

How It Works

Sending Messages from Routiq

When you create a campaign in Routiq:
  1. Routiq identifies patients who meet campaign criteria
  2. For each patient, Routiq checks their contact preferences
  3. Routiq sends message to Chatwoot API
  4. Chatwoot routes message to appropriate channel (WhatsApp/SMS/Email)
  5. Message is delivered to patient
  6. Delivery status is synced back to Routiq

Receiving Responses

When patients respond:
  1. Response arrives in Chatwoot inbox
  2. Chatwoot notifies Routiq via webhook
  3. Routiq logs the response and updates campaign metrics
  4. Your team can reply directly in Chatwoot
All patient conversations remain in Chatwoot for your team to manage. Routiq only initiates outbound reactivation messages.

Message Templates

Creating Templates in Routiq

Routiq provides template management for Chatwoot messages:
  1. Go to SettingsMessage Templates
  2. Click Create Template
  3. Select channel (WhatsApp, SMS, Email)
  4. Write your message with variables:
    • {{first_name}} - Patient first name
    • {{last_name}} - Patient last name
    • {{last_visit_date}} - Last appointment date
    • {{treatment_type}} - Last treatment type
  5. Preview and save

WhatsApp Template Requirements

WhatsApp requires pre-approved message templates for business-initiated conversations.
For WhatsApp Business API:
  1. Create template in Meta Business Manager
  2. Submit for approval (usually 24-48 hours)
  3. Once approved, template becomes available in Chatwoot
  4. Use approved template name in Routiq campaigns
Learn more about WhatsApp templates →

Channel Selection Strategy

When to use WhatsApp

  • Best for: High engagement, rich media, two-way conversations
  • Requirements: Approved message templates
  • Cost: Moderate (varies by provider)
  • Use cases: Appointment reminders, reactivation campaigns, follow-ups

When to use SMS

  • Best for: Urgent messages, universal reach
  • Requirements: None - works on all phones
  • Cost: Low to moderate
  • Use cases: Quick reminders, time-sensitive messages

When to use Email

  • Best for: Detailed information, newsletters
  • Requirements: Valid email addresses
  • Cost: Very low
  • Use cases: Educational content, detailed communications
Response rates vary significantly based on your practice, patient demographics, and message quality. Start with small test campaigns to establish your baseline.

Managing Patient Responses

Chatwoot Inbox Workflow

  1. Patient responses appear in Chatwoot inbox
  2. Assign conversation to team member
  3. Team member responds within Chatwoot
  4. Conversation history is preserved
  5. Close conversation when resolved

Response Routing

Configure automatic routing in Chatwoot:
  1. Go to SettingsAutomation Rules
  2. Create rule: Route conversations from Routiq to specific team/agent
  3. Set business hours for auto-assignment
  4. Configure canned responses for common questions

Security & Compliance

Data Protection

  • API credentials encrypted at rest with AES-256
  • All communications use TLS 1.3
  • Patient data accessible only within your Chatwoot account
  • No patient data stored permanently in Routiq

HIPAA Considerations

If you’re subject to HIPAA:
WhatsApp and SMS may not be HIPAA-compliant for transmitting PHI. Consult your compliance officer.
Recommendations:
  • Use secure messaging for PHI
  • Obtain patient consent for SMS/WhatsApp
  • Avoid sending sensitive health information
  • Use generic appointment reminders
Learn more about HIPAA compliance →

Troubleshooting

”Invalid API credentials” error

Solution:
  1. Verify Account ID is correct (check Chatwoot URL)
  2. Regenerate API token in Chatwoot
  3. Ensure token has “Agent” permissions
  4. Try reconnecting

Messages not sending

Possible causes:
  • Inbox not configured in Chatwoot
  • Channel (WhatsApp/SMS) not connected
  • Insufficient balance (for Twilio-based channels)
Solution:
  1. Check Chatwoot inbox is active
  2. Verify channel is connected and working
  3. Test sending directly from Chatwoot
  4. Check provider balance (Twilio, etc.)

WhatsApp messages failing

Possible causes:
  • Template not approved by Meta
  • 24-hour messaging window expired
  • Patient phone number not opted in
Solution:
  1. Use only approved WhatsApp templates
  2. Only send business-initiated messages with approved templates
  3. Ensure phone numbers are valid and opted in

Responses not syncing to Routiq

Possible causes:
  • Webhook not configured
  • Webhook URL incorrect
  • Chatwoot firewall blocking webhook delivery
Solution:
  1. Go to SettingsIntegrationsChatwootWebhook Status
  2. Verify webhook URL is configured in Chatwoot
  3. Test webhook delivery
  4. Check Chatwoot webhook logs

Advanced Features

Conversation Assignment

Automatically assign patient conversations to specific team members based on:
  • Treatment type
  • Practitioner
  • Business location
  • Time of day
Configure in SettingsChatwootAssignment Rules

Canned Responses

Create quick responses for common patient questions:
  1. In Chatwoot: SettingsCanned Responses
  2. Create responses for:
    • Booking appointments
    • Pricing questions
    • Business hours
    • Location/directions

Tags and Labels

Use Chatwoot tags to categorize conversations:
  • reactivation - Routiq-initiated conversations
  • booked - Patient booked appointment
  • not_interested - Patient declined
  • follow_up - Needs follow-up

Disconnecting Chatwoot

To disconnect Chatwoot:
  1. Go to SettingsIntegrationsChatwoot
  2. Click Disconnect
  3. Confirm action
Active campaigns will stop sending messages. Patient conversation history remains in Chatwoot.

Next Steps