> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cekat.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cekat.ai/api-documentation/chat/message.md).

# Message

Read messages and send WhatsApp messages in a conversation.

Read the messages in your conversations and send WhatsApp messages from the API.

To start a new conversation, or to message a contact who hasn't written to you in the last 24 hours, use an approved template with `POST /templates/send`. WhatsApp only allows free-form messages (`POST /messages/whatsapp`) within 24 hours of the contact's last message.