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List WhatsApp Business Templates

wa_list_templates
Read-only

List the WhatsApp Business message templates of one of your Business (Cloud API) numbers, with each one's review status (APPROVED, PENDING, REJECTED — a rejected one carries Meta's rejected_reason). Use an APPROVED template's name and language with wa_send_message's template/template_language to start a conversation or message outside the 24-hour window, and supply its 'variables' count as template_variables, in order. Templates apply only to Business numbers, not personal linked-device numbers.

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
account_idYesthe Business (Cloud API) account whose templates to list, as returned by wa_list_accounts

Output Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
refusalNopresent only when the call was declined
templatesNoevery message template with its review status; only APPROVED ones can be sent, with the name/language/variables to pass to wa_send_message

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed1 schema field changed
    • changedOutput schema / properties / refusal / properties / account_status / description
      Previous value: -"when the number is not working: its status — starting, not_running, whatsapp_down, suspended, pairing, unlinked or locked"New value: +"when the number is not working: its status — starting, not_running, whatsapp_down (telegram_down for a Telegram account), suspended, pairing, unlinked or locked"
  2. Changed1 schema field changed
    • addedOutput schema / properties / refusal / properties / candidates
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "on an account_ambiguous refusal: the accounts to choose from — retry with one of these as account_id",
      +  "items": {
      +    "additionalProperties": false,
      +    "properties": {
      +      "account_id": {
      +        "description": "the id to retry with as account_id",
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "name": {
      +        "description": "the account's WhatsApp display name",
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "phone": {
      +        "description": "the account's phone number, E.164",
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "status": {
      +        "description": "whether the number works right now — live, connecting, or why not, as wa_list_accounts reports it",
      +        "type": "string"
      +      }
      +    },
      +    "required": [
      +      "account_id"
      +    ],
      +    "type": "object"
      +  },
      +  "type": [
      +    "null",
      +    "array"
      +  ]
      +}
  3. Changed4 schema fields changed
    • addedOutput schema / properties / refusal / properties / account_status
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "when the number is not working: its status — starting, not_running, whatsapp_down, suspended, pairing, unlinked or locked",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / refusal / properties / account_status_reason
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "the detail of account_status, e.g. no_egress, stopped, no_plan",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / refusal / properties / since
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "when the number stopped working, RFC3339, when known",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / templates / items / properties / call_permission
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "true when the template asks the customer to allow the business to call them (WhatsApp's call permission request)",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
  4. Changed4 schema fields changed
    • addedOutput schema / properties / templates / items / properties / body
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "the template's body text as Meta holds it, with its {{n}} variables",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / templates / items / properties / buttons
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "one line per button, e.g. 'Quick reply: Yes' or 'Link: Shop → https://…'",
      +  "items": {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  },
      +  "type": [
      +    "null",
      +    "array"
      +  ]
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / templates / items / properties / footer
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "the template's footer, if any",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedOutput schema / properties / templates / items / properties / header
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "the template's text header, if any",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
  5. Changed2 schema fields changed
    • changedOutput schema / properties / templates / description
      Previous value: -"the approved message templates, with the name/language/variables to pass to wa_send_message"New value: +"every message template with its review status; only APPROVED ones can be sent, with the name/language/variables to pass to wa_send_message"
    • addedOutput schema / properties / templates / items / properties / rejected_reason
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "for a REJECTED template, Meta's reason code (e.g. INVALID_FORMAT, TAG_CONTENT_MISMATCH); fix the template and create it again under a new name",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
  6. Added

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds context annotations can't: the three possible review statuses, that rejected templates carry Meta's rejected_reason, and that templates only exist for Business numbers. It doesn't need to describe the return shape since an output schema exists.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Front-loads the purpose and statuses before the workflow tip, and every sentence carries information. It is dense but slightly overpacked, folding status enumeration, send-workflow, and account-type caveat into one run-on block rather than separate scannable sentences.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a single-param read tool with an output schema and readOnly annotations, the description covers scope, return semantics, downstream usage, and the personal-vs-business distinction. An agent has everything needed to call it and to know what to do with the result.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100% and account_id is already documented as coming from wa_list_accounts. The description reinforces the 'Business (Cloud API) number' meaning but adds no format or syntax beyond the schema, so baseline 3 applies.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

States a specific verb (List) and resource (WhatsApp Business message templates) scoped to a Business (Cloud API) number, plus what each item carries (review status, rejected_reason). It explicitly distinguishes from personal linked-device numbers, which eliminates a real ambiguity an agent could hit.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Gives the exact downstream workflow: use an APPROVED template's name and language with wa_send_message's template/template_language, and pass its variables count as template_variables in order. It also states the trigger condition (starting a conversation or messaging outside the 24-hour window) and the exclusion for personal numbers.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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