# How to Create a Message Template

DoubleTick allows you to create WhatsApp message templates directly from your account. This article walks you through the entire process — from naming your template to submitting it for Meta's approval.

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#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Before You Begin**</mark>

Templates in DoubleTick are grouped into three categories: **Marketing**, **Utility**, and **Authentication**. To understand the difference between these categories before creating your first template, refer to the [Template Categories in WhatsApp API](https://learn.doubletick.io/templates/template-categories-in-whatsapp-api).

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<figure><img src="https://2303112206-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F53n17VnOICC1LtDqlENV%2Fuploads%2FNgJ3Pl7UNTCGoGSu5fpk%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=94038840-aa71-4cba-94bf-a2a0d8b9b7a8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Step 1: Open the New Template Builder**</mark>

Hover over the left side of your screen to open the navigation panel. Once it slides open, you will see a **New Template** button on the right-hand side. Click on it to open the template builder.

<figure><img src="https://2303112206-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F53n17VnOICC1LtDqlENV%2Fuploads%2FJI5iyNyQaSj7d4eOL5iJ%2FUntitled%20design%20-%202026-04-16T171423.950.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=0cbb0e48-506c-458c-843e-c15f8fe5b260" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Step 2: Enter the Basic Details**</mark>

**Template Name** Start by entering a name for your template. Keep it simple and descriptive so it is easy to identify later. The maximum character limit for the template name is 512 characters.

**Category** Select the category that best fits your template. Here is a breakdown of all available options:

**Marketing**

* **Custom** — Create promotional templates for offers, announcements, and engagement-related content.
* **Carousel** — Send messages that showcase your catalog or multiple products. You get up to 10 cards, each of which can include details about a product or service.
* **Call Permission** — Create a call permission request template to reach users outside the service window.

**Utility**

* **Custom** — Send communications related to an ongoing customer interaction, such as order updates, reminders, or alerts.
* **Call Permission** — Create a call permission request template to reach users outside the service window.

**Authentication**

* **OTP / Copy Code** — Send a verification code for transaction confirmation, account login, or identity verification.

**Language** English is selected by default. If you need a different language, open the language dropdown and select from the available options.

**Channel** Select the WhatsApp API number (channel) you want to create this template for. If you have multiple channels onboarded, all of them will appear in the dropdown. Select the relevant one and click **Next**.

<figure><img src="https://2303112206-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F53n17VnOICC1LtDqlENV%2Fuploads%2F4hVNMxynsj9lhvBevGf9%2FUntitled%20design%20-%202026-04-16T171941.755.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=a920ec93-e746-45bc-b281-54c693441280" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Step 3: Build the Template Content**</mark>

This is where you design the actual message your recipients will see.

#### Header (Optional)

The header appears at the top of your template. You can choose from the following five header types:

* **None** — Select this if you do not want to add a header.
* **Text** — Add a short heading. Maximum character limit: 60 characters.
* **Image** — Supported formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG. Maximum file size: 5 MB. You can either upload a file from your device or enter an image URL.
* **Video** — Supported format: MP4. Maximum file size: 16 MB. You can either upload a file from your device or enter a video URL. Please note that YouTube URLs are not supported in the header.
* **Document** — Supported format: PDF. Maximum file size: 100 MB. You can either upload a file from your device or enter a document URL.

A live preview of your header will appear on the right-hand side as you make your selections.

#### Body

The body is the main message of your template. Type your content in the text field provided. The maximum character limit for the body is 1,024 characters.

To make your message more personalized, you can include variables — dynamic values that change for each recipient. To add a variable, type it between two curly brackets, for example: {{name}}, {{renewal\_date}}, {{email\_id}}, or {{order\_id}}. You can use any variable that needs to be unique for each customer.

#### Footer (Optional)

The footer appears at the bottom of your message. You can use this to add a sign-off such as your team name or brand name. The maximum character limit for the footer is 60 characters.

Once you have filled in all the content, click **Next**.

<figure><img src="https://2303112206-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F53n17VnOICC1LtDqlENV%2Fuploads%2F3zHBzcLTLNbYdjXBPuDM%2FUntitled%20design%20-%202026-04-16T172527.263.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=d93e7be4-c905-4d8f-b466-c1d05d704ebe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Step 4: Add Buttons (Optional)**</mark>

Buttons allow your recipients to respond to your message or take a specific action directly from the chat. To add a button, click **Add a Button** and choose from the following types:

* **Marketing Opt-Out** — A stop button that allows recipients to opt out of marketing messages.
* **Custom Button** — Add a button with any label of your choice for quick replies or custom actions.
* **Visit Website** — Embed a URL with a button label to direct recipients to a webpage. You can add a maximum of two website buttons per template.
* **Call Phone Number** — Add your company name as the button label and enter a phone number, so recipients can call you directly from the message.
* **WhatsApp Flow** — If you have created a WhatsApp Flow on Meta, you can link it directly to a button in your template.

You can add up to 10 buttons in a single template. Once you have added all the buttons you need, click **Next**.

<figure><img src="https://2303112206-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F53n17VnOICC1LtDqlENV%2Fuploads%2FtloJz54xfS7s87jPCEVu%2FUntitled%20design%20-%202026-04-16T172850.848.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=432c7027-40d1-44a9-b2f1-04b4301fc7db" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Step 5: Provide Variable Examples**</mark>

If your template contains variables, Meta requires you to provide a sample value for each one before the template can be reviewed. This helps Meta understand the context of your message.

For example, if you used {{name}} in your template, enter a sample name. If you used {{policy\_number}}, enter a sample policy number. Fill in all the example values and click the green **Submit Template** button. The preview on the right-hand side will update to reflect your sample inputs.

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#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**What Happens After Submission?**</mark>

Once submitted, your template will be sent to Meta for review. This process typically takes **24 to 48 hours**. During this time, the template status will show as **Pending**.

Once Meta approves the template, the status will automatically change to **Approved**, and you can start using it to send messages to your customers.

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#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Summary**</mark>

Creating a template in DoubleTick is a straightforward process. Name your template, select its category and channel, build your message content with headers, body text, and optional buttons, provide variable examples, and submit it for Meta's approval. Once approved, your template is ready to use.

If you have any questions at any point, reach out to the DoubleTick support team and we will be happy to assist.