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

# 3. Create your sequence

> Build the automated flow that opens conversations on WhatsApp Business — using approved templates.

A **sequence** on the WhatsApp Business API always starts with an **approved template message** (Meta's rule). After the lead replies, the agent runs the rest of the conversation.

## Build a WhatsApp Business sequence

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a new sequence">
    Go to **[Sequences](https://app.orsay.ai/sequences)** → **Create sequence**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/T-LWCDHV7-YNwE_9/image_whatsapp/step_3/1.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=T-LWCDHV7-YNwE_9&q=85&s=5cc71456387a3e844701a5fb90f158ef" width="1587" height="954" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_3/1.0.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick WhatsApp">
    Select **WhatsApp** as the channel.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_3/2.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=655c63917abc42dc0af153908602d5ff" width="1600" height="798" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_3/2.0.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a trigger">
    | Trigger                            | When it fires                                           |
    | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Message received**               | Each time a new lead messages your number               |
    | **Contact created**                | For any new lead not already in another sequence        |
    | **Contact subscribed to sequence** | For leads added to this sequence (CSV upload or Zapier) |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the first action step">
    Click **+** and **Add action step**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_3/3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=edeb1763c84351c767e4b4d3b350073a" width="1609" height="846" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_3/3.png" />

    Select your **WhatsApp account**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_3/4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=6e92642f35c687f1a821378ab836d335" width="1588" height="803" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_3/4.png" />

    Pick the **approved template message** and its language.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_3/5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=658094642742a0ca7e50fdc63fa3539f" width="1597" height="803" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_3/5.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Attach the agent">
    Pick the agent. Set the **answer delay** and add **follow-ups** if needed, then click **Confirm**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_3/6.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=23f5364a55a1c601485c3e5b53d7b273" width="1590" height="952" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_3/6.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Toggle on and publish">
    Activate the sequence with the toggle and **publish**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_3/7.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=d9ff8f10b46f6cff81c64645768fa52d" width="1591" height="955" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_3/7.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## The 24-hour rule

WhatsApp Business has a **24-hour messaging window**: after a lead replies, the agent can write freely for 24 hours. After that, you must send another approved template to re-open the conversation. Use **follow-ups** in the sequence to schedule template-based re-engagements at the right cadence.

## Bulk leads via CSV or Zapier

Got an existing lead list? Two ways to push them into a sequence:

* **CSV upload** — **[Integrations](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations) → [Bulk Leads](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations/bulk-leads) → Upload Files**. The sequence must use the **Contact subscribed to sequence** trigger.
* **Zapier** — connect your lead source (Facebook Ads, ClickFunnels, etc.) and route every new lead automatically. → covered in the next step.

## Next step

→ [4. Connect Zapier](/en/whatsapp-api/4-zapier)