From f12f81481661894dcb8b629247c6bdf9205a286d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Peter Steinberger Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2026 19:58:44 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] docs(whatsapp): add number guidance --- docs/whatsapp.md | 14 ++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+) diff --git a/docs/whatsapp.md b/docs/whatsapp.md index 7f854551f..d4e965b1e 100644 --- a/docs/whatsapp.md +++ b/docs/whatsapp.md @@ -19,6 +19,20 @@ Status: WhatsApp Web via Baileys only. Gateway owns the single session. - **CLI / macOS app** talk to the gateway; no direct Baileys use. - **Active listener** is required for outbound sends; otherwise send fails fast. +## Getting a phone number + +WhatsApp requires a real mobile number for verification. VoIP and virtual numbers are usually blocked. + +**Recommended approaches:** +- **Local eSIM** from your country's mobile carrier (most reliable) + - Austria: [hot.at](https://www.hot.at) + - UK: [giffgaff](https://www.giffgaff.com) — free SIM, no contract +- **Prepaid SIM** — cheap, just needs to receive one SMS for verification + +**Avoid:** TextNow, Google Voice, most "free SMS" services — WhatsApp blocks these aggressively. + +**Tip:** The number only needs to receive one verification SMS. After that, WhatsApp Web sessions persist via `creds.json`. + ## Login + credentials - Login command: `clawdis login` (QR via Linked Devices). - Credentials stored in `~/.clawdis/credentials/creds.json`.