🌂System Requirements & Setup Checklist
A pre-flight checklist to confirm your browser, accounts, and connected platforms meet the minimum requirements before you create, deploy, or test a chatbot on BotPenguin.
Overview
This checklist helps you verify that your environment — browser, account access, and target platform (Website, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, MS Teams, or SMS) — is correctly configured before you start building. It's relevant to anyone setting up a new bot for the first time, or troubleshooting why a channel won't connect. Reviewing this before you begin avoids the most common causes of failed integrations and delayed approvals.
Browser & Account Requirements
Make sure your setup environment is ready before opening the BotPenguin dashboard.
Browser compatibility
Use a supported browser: Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Brave
Enable pop-ups for the BotPenguin dashboard
Confirm a stable internet connection (10 Mbps+ recommended)
Account requirements
A valid email address or phone number to sign up/log in
An active BotPenguin account
Email and phone number accessible for verification and communication
Platform-Specific Requirements
Requirements vary depending on which channel you're connecting.
Website
Ability to add a script snippet to your site header/footer; supported on WordPress, Wix, Shopify, Webflow, Squarespace, or custom HTML/CSS
Phone number not currently on WhatsApp, Meta Business Manager account, business website.
Facebook Page
Instagram Business Account
Telegram
Telegram Bot Number
MS Teams
MS Teams Admin Center access; ability to add custom apps/connectors
SMS
SMS provider credentials (e.g., Twilio); verified sender ID (region-dependent)
A script snippet is a small piece of JavaScript code added to your website's header or footer section — this is how the Website bot gets embedded.
Why Meta Business Manager and a business website matter for WhatsApp: Meta owns WhatsApp and controls API access. Business Manager is used to verify your business, manage WhatsApp numbers, create and approve message templates, and control permissions — without it, WhatsApp API setup isn't possible. Meta also uses your business website during verification to confirm legitimacy; it should clearly show your business name, products/services, and contact details. Without a website, Meta may reject or delay WhatsApp API approval.
Coexistence Prerequisites (WhatsApp)
If you're connecting an existing WhatsApp Business App number to BotPenguin via Coexistence (rather than starting fresh on the Cloud API), Meta applies a stricter set of eligibility checks. These are based on BotPenguin's own onboarding requirements plus current Meta/WhatsApp Solution Provider documentation:
Active WhatsApp Business App usage
Number must be in active use with real customer conversations for at least 2–3 weeks before onboarding (BotPenguin's stated minimum; Meta's own published floor is 7 days, but providers generally recommend 2–4 weeks, and up to 1–2 months for the smoothest approval)
App version
WhatsApp Business App must be updated to v2.24.17 or newer
No recent API history
If the number was previously connected to any WhatsApp Business API/BSP, it needs a 1–2 month cooldown after disconnecting before it can rebuild credibility and re-onboard via Coexistence
Messaging volume
Meta requires a minimum messaging volume on the Business App before Coexistence unlocks — the exact threshold isn't publicly disclosed
Meta Business Portfolio
A Meta Business Portfolio the number can be linked to (or created during onboarding)
One number per workspace
Only one phone number can be under Coexistence per workspace
Keep the app active
Once connected, the WhatsApp Business App must be opened at least once every 13–14 days, or the connection can be dropped and require reconnecting
Country restriction: As of recent Meta documentation, Nigeria (+234) and South Africa (+27) are flagged as unsupported for Coexistence — numbers with these country codes can't complete onboarding. That said, sources disagree
Support
If everything is correct and you are still unable to move forward, write to us at support@botpenguin.com. We will respond back within 48 business hours.
Last updated
Was this helpful?